You’ve got the camera up the wrong way!

It wasn’t so long ago that many ‘traditional’ camera operators were outraged to find social media reels suddenly full of people daring to film with the camera in a vertical orientation!

Prioritising ‘ease of viewing’ on a vertical phone screen ahead of cinematic and artistic integrity? How very dare they!

Frankly it did get up my nose for a while, that is until I too became addicted to watching TikTok style content on my phone. The whole thing does work in vertical orientation so much better than it does horizontally, even though horizontal matches how our side-by-side eyeballs see the world.

It was therefore with trepidation that in early 2024 I decided to bow to the inevitable and try my hand at turning the camera the wrong way up.

It’s hard to film in vertical orientation using our ‘proper’ cinema type camera – they weigh a ton, all the buttons are suddenly in the wrong place, the tripod head no longer works work well, mounting screw holes are in the wrong place – it’s a bit of a nightmare.

In fact, it’s easier to film horizontally and take a slice out of the middle of the image, but that leads to a reduction in quality.

The conclusion is that there is only one tool for the job – the phone camera.

I’m currently writing this on my iPhone 15 Pro Max which, although an old model, exhibits remarkable quality. To be able to grab the phone out of the pocket, press the button and instantly produce high-quality footage (albeit only in good light) means there’s no need to worry about any other technicalities. You can literally point and shoot, especially as part of the purpose of vertical TikTok style content is that they deliver immediate integrity.

If that means a slightly out to frame shots or sub-optimal lighting, so be it. Those factors are easily trumped (sorry) by the natural, unprocessed look. In other words, it’s real.

Recently I’ve been filming vertical videos for Surrey4x4Tours a business that I work with, and to be honest I’ve really enjoyed it. The iPhone gets everything sharp, the exposure and the colour balance are normally spot on (personally I think it defaults to being a little cold but that’s an easy fix) and, as a result the films are quick to edit.

All I need to worry about is the story, which for the 4×4 films is usually an exciting one that writes itself.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

About Boreham Media

Boreham Media is a destination for beautifully crafted digital content.  Based in London, but shooting globally, we produce first-class video, working collaboratively with clients to provide a great experience, to land great results that deliver exactly what they need.

Through imaginatively crafted long-form videos and dynamic short-form reels, we bring ideas to life in ways that inspires, informs, and engages. Whether it’s a brand messaging piece that showcases your identity, a behind-the-scenes outtake that captures your team’s personality, or a simple but effective smartphone video production for your social channels, we will work with you to create compelling digital content.

Find out more about our services here.