OK, so your budget for social media is non-existent and you’re shooting it yourself. With your smartphone no less. That’s ok! As long as you are aware of some of the smartphone video lighting techniques pro shooters use to get great results you’ll be fine.

In the world of images, the number one rule of thumb is: the better the lighting, the better the shot. The same applies to shooting video. So this second in the series of tips from Oh Shoot Productions is about lighting basics. We are not talking about expensive LED 1×1 panels to light up a scene. We’re talking about the world’s favorite light source—the sun.

There are some rules when using the sun as your light source. First, if you’re shooting a person outdoors, avoid the harsh overhead sun. There are things that happen with shadows that only watching the video above will explain. You’ll also learn about Golden Hour and how the late afternoon sun can make almost anyone look better. We’ll cover how to use the sun indoors as well.

Of course, if all this lighting starts to give you a headache, just give Oh Shoot Productions a shout. We’ll be glad to step in and help you get the professional results you’re shooting for. Happy “Oh Shooting!”