Looking for tips to improve your 360 videos?
Ok, throw away what you’ve learned about filming with a normal camera. With 360 video you don’t have to know about different filming techniques as such. There is no aperture, f-stop to worry about not even focus or flash on some cameras. First of all you’ll need a 360 Camera or multiple cameras and a rig (if you aready confused then maybe best to check this out before you continue). You also need a lot of patience because getting good 360 footage is trickier than what it may seem. Check out these 5 tips to get better 360 video footage.
5Getting the right 360 camera for your filming needs..
Get a Good 360 Video Camera, this will help with the quality of your footage and it is probably the most important step to getting better 360 degree video clips. The camera most suitable to you will depend completely on what you intend to use it for and of course your budget. If you’re serious about shooting 360s, you’ll most likely want a better spec camera which can prove to very expensive. However if you are just looking to get your hands dirty and begin experimenting with filming in 360 degrees then we can recommend the Ricoh Theta Camera as the best budget camera. You can see a full list of the Top 360 Video Cameras in 2017
4Shooting 360 Degree Videos
This might be obvious if you have already experimented shooting your own 360 degree videos. Though, for those of you who are new to VR videos then it’s important to remember that the camera films with a 360 degree view and therefore you will be visible in the shots if you are stood behind the camera. There are various methods to avoid been visible in a 360 degree shoot. One option is to use a remote control to trigger and end recordings. An alternative option would be to use a handy grip or extension arm, you can then position the camera on your head and the camera will take a 360 degree video from a ‘POV’ (Point of View) Position. Removing the film crew from your shots can prove to be trickier than it sounds. Ensure you take the time to plan your shots to save you having to film everything twice.
3No need to pan or tilt the camera
The camera sees everything in full 360 degrees and there’s no need to move the camera at all. The camera must be as stable as possible for best quality footage, you can use a tripod to keep it sturdy. If you really need to move the camera when you are making your video, try to make your movements smooth, and consistent.
The tip here is to try to place the camera in the scene and let the action be brought to the camera.
2Getting the correct distance and height..
The placement of the camera can affect the quality of the footage. If the camera is too low, the viewers will not feel the ‘reality’ of your video. It is best to keep the camera level with your line of sight.
In terms of distance try to keep your subject at least 5 ft from the edge of the camera view so the stitching between the two lenses will be smoother/cleaner and details won’t be clipped off.
1360 Audio to Improve your Footage
Take your 360° and virtual reality videos to the next level so that your fans can immerse themselves in your footage…Do not rely on your camera to pick up audio, place an audio recorder under the 360 camera rig underneath the tripod. Your audio will then be in it’s own file which helps when editing it in the editing software. If your using microphones or clipped to the case then make sure they are placed around the video so that all the sound doesn’t come from the same angle. If sound comes to the viewers from the same location as the visuals it will create a more realistic, immersive experience for the viewers.
Extra Tip if You’re Using Multiple GoPro Camera’s…
Make sure all the settings are the same if you’re using more than one GoPro camera. There will be less editing to be done with final footage. The settings such as ISO and the F-stop can alter the quality of footage and when stitching it together if the settings aren’t the same will cause problems with colour difference etc.
If you know of any other tips or you’d like to share your own experience with making 360 or VR videos then please leave a comment below. We hope this list of tips helps improve your 360 videos.
