Are you working on a tight budget and with limited space for your video tutorials? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! As someone who has been creating video tutorials for years, I’ve learned a lot of tricks along the way. And today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite tips with you. These tips are specifically aimed at those of you who are just starting out and working from home with limited resources. With these tricks, you can keep your production quality high, even with minimal space and budget.
Let’s start with lighting. While I used to use big soft boxes to keep my lighting consistent, I’ve had to switch things up since becoming a stay-at-home dad. Now, I rely on natural light as much as possible. But when that’s not an option, I recommend investing in small LED lights from Aputure. These lights are budget-friendly, dimmable, and don’t require a light stand or power outlet. They’re perfect for small spaces and can be used as a key, fill, or backlight.
Next up, let’s talk about background. If you’re working in a shared living space, you might not have the option to set up a custom background. To avoid revealing personal areas of your living space, I suggest blurring out the background by opening up the aperture to give the shot a shallow depth of field. If that’s not possible, try using medium or close-up shots to crop out any distracting items. And don’t forget to keep the camera around eye level for a more natural look.
When it comes to framing and composition, it can be tough to finesse the shot when you’re working alone. That’s why I recommend getting a camera with a flip-around screen or monitoring your shot with your TV. Varying the composition of your shot will also give you more options in the editing room. And if you shoot in 4K, you can scale and reframe your shot when editing in a 1920×1080 sequence.
Last but not least, let’s talk about audio. While a nice shotgun mic with a mic stand and shock-mount is ideal, it can be pricey and take up a lot of room. Instead, consider investing in a USB plug-and-play mic like the Yeti Nano. To avoid picking up external noise, get a boom arm to attach to your desk. And if you’re short on space, the Yeticaster from Blue Microphones is a great option.
That’s it! With these tips, you can create high-quality video tutorials on a small budget and with minimal space. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to put these tips into action and start creating!