![How to film yourself with a smartphone or tablet](https://ozgo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/filming-yourself-with-a-tablet-or-smartphone.jpg)
How to film yourself using a smartphone/tablet?
If you want to learn how to film yourself with a smartphone, then this blog post is for you. However, for best results, I recommend using a professional videographer.
Set Scenario
Let’s assume you are a public speaker/lecturer and want to record yourself for 1 hour because you want to improve your performance by watching the video afterwards and share it with the world by posting it on YouTube.
Ask yourself first
- Does quality matters?
- If the answer is Yes, hire a professional – get in touch now
- If the answer is No, continue reading…
2. What do you want to be in the frame? (screen, flipchart, you etc)
![](http://www.ozgo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_3259.jpg)
3. Where the camera will be positioned and if you have access to a power socket? (You might need a power bank)
![A smartphone on a small tripod on top of a table about waist height](http://www.ozgo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_1200.jpg)
4. How far away from the camera will you be? The closer the better, but for a full-body shot, ideally 2 -3 m.
![Smartphone on a small tabletop tripod 2](http://www.ozgo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_1199.jpg)
Record yourself
![Filming myself writing on a flipchart](http://www.ozgo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/img_3260.jpg)
- Open a camera app and use the front-facing camera for convenience or the back camera/s for quality.
- Hold the smartphone in landscape format, not portrait/vertical.
- Make sure that there is little/no movement visible in the background (e.g. people walking through the picture, television, cars, children, etc.)
- Make sure that there are no bright light sources (e.g. windows, TV, computer monitors, lamps, etc.) visible in the background.
- Provide ample, bright light that is directed at you, the subject of the recording. Face a window, or direct a lamp towards your face.
- Make sure that there is no loud ambient noise (e.g. other persons, open window, radio, pets, etc.). Avoid large rooms with an echo.
- Position the smartphone on a steady and stable surface (put a chair on top of a table if you have to raise the smartphone to the head height or use a tripod if possible).
- Start recording, looking into the lens.
- Count silently to 5 before you start to talk.
- Speak loudly and clearly.
![A smartphone on a small tripod on top of a chair on top of a table about head height](http://www.ozgo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_1202.jpg)
Editing
You can use iMovie (IOS) or VideoShow (Android) to edit your video, then upload directly to YouTube or as I said, get in touch and will help you.
Accessories
Beside a smartphone, you might need the following accessories:
- External microphone
- Tripod
- Camera holder
- Lights
- Power adapter/battery power bank
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