Videoing yourself playing guitar with a phone

BRISTOL86

I want to record videos of me playing on my iPhone - I don’t need sound as I’m taking care of that on the laptop, but the laptop camera isn’t good. 

How does one go about it? Obviously the camera screen is pointing away from you so you can’t frame the video/focus/start/stop easily

I’m probably making it more difficult than it needs to be but is there a simple solution (other than using the rubbish ‘selfie’ camera on the front face of the phone?

Also for the iPeople amongst us...is it then easy to import that video into iMovie to sync up with the pre recorded audio?

Any tips appreciated! 

Whitecat

Will likely take some trial and error.

You could do worse than this for audio if you do want to be lazy though and not go dual-system -

https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Focusrite-iTrack-Pocket-Audio-and-Video-Recorder-for-iPhone/13CV

Funkfingers

First, select the forward facing camera! This will allow you to aim the camera and monitor yourself.

Use a stand of some description to keep things steady.

Allow a few seconds before and after the performance that you wish to record. Edit these out before presenting the finished video recording to the outside world.

This self-recording process is a method that a collaborator and I sometimes use to communicate guitar riff ideas and chord fingerings.

Maynehead

Get a mobile phone tripod like this one, then you can pre-frame your shot correctly. The autofocus should take care of the focus when you start filming.

Most phones or video editors will allow you to trim the start and end of a clip so you don't need to worry about walking up to your phone to start/stop it. If you don't want to get up every time though you can just get a mobile phone remote like this one.

BRISTOL86

Thanks all. Trouble with the front camera @funkfingers is that I play in a small room, often when dark outside so the light is naff, front camera comes out pretty grainy - same issue with the webcam on the MacBook - it’s fine when the light is good but otherwise not great! 

Might just stick to the webcam to be honest and record only when the light is good, the less faff the better to be honest. It’s only for sharing with family and friends on Instagram and the likes so it doesn’t need to be amazing!

adamm82

BRISTOL86 said:

I want to record videos of me playing on my iPhone - I don’t need sound as I’m taking care of that on the laptop, but the laptop camera isn’t good. 

How does one go about it? Obviously the camera screen is pointing away from you so you can’t frame the video/focus/start/stop easily

I’m probably making it more difficult than it needs to be but is there a simple solution (other than using the rubbish ‘selfie’ camera on the front face of the phone?

Also for the iPeople amongst us...is it then easy to import that video into iMovie to sync up with the pre recorded audio?

Any tips appreciated! 

some other ideas I've used are a sat nav style phone holder stuck to doors and cupboards, or a simple phone stand I bought in ikea it was just a piece of wood with a groove cut out.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/small-storage-organisers/paper-media-organisers/bergenes-holder-for-mobile-phone-tablet-bamboo-art-30358875/


I've also sellotaped a selfe stick to a chair so it wouldn't move. all work ok but not ideal.

thegummy

I do this all the time with a tripod. Just aim it roughly at your seat, record a test clip and adjust accordingly.

Watch out, some phones have different ratios for photo than video so if you use the viewfinder to set the frame, it then chops some out when going into video mode.

I fixed this by changing the photo resolution to 16:9 or you could compensate for it using the test clip.

Post result!

thegummy

P.s. I got a converter screw for a mic stand so I can screw the phone holder into a mic stand. Does a good job.

BloodEagle

Make sure the front camera lense is clean, often they're really grubby/dusty

Bucket

I use my front facing camera and lean it up against something on my desk.

Here's the result:

Nomad

Just prop a mirror up behind the phone so you can see the screen.

midlifecrisis

if you say there is a problem with lighting, use an additional light, an anglepoise or desklamp might work and give a nice moody effect if off to one side

BRISTOL86

Thanks all, very helpful as always  

57Deluxe

I just film a few takes and edit. I crop my face out anyway cos I find me dribbling drawl all over the shop tends to put people off watching...

andyp

I use one of those Focusrute iTrack Pocket things that's posted above. It's very quick and easy to use and import into iMovie on the phone. However, the Focusrite app doesn't work with iOS 11 so I just use the Apple camera app and it's more than fine. Sound comes across very well using the mics on the iTrack Pocket and you can adjust the volume sensitivity so it doesn't clip. My only bother with it is the front camera being a bit rubbish, but I'm going to try using the main camera next time.

I got it for £20 and it's well worth it.

stickyfiddle

Video, just like photography, is all about light. Any camera will get grainy if you leave it on auto and don’t have a well-lit space. 

Tripod, pre-frame, do several takes each time you hit the record button then edit later

BRISTOL86

Thanks all. The Focusrite thing looks good but maybe unnecesary as I have a MacBook in the same room! 

My issue stems from lack of light I think as suggested above, so think I’ll just stick to the webcam and record when the light is good! 

skunkwerx

The focusrite ipocket is good, but, only as an upgraded external mic for your phone. 

The app hasnt been updated in 3 years and doesnt work at all with my iphone 5. 

So I use it as just an external better quality mic, and just use my selfie front facing camera and record video through the iphones standard camera app. 

I use a small gorilla style tripod, which is designed for phones, got mine through currys a couple years ago. 

The picture quality isnt great, but the audio is pretty darn good for phone shot stuff. 

In your case, if you have audio recorded seperately, it should be as simple as uploading your footage to your movie editing software, muting the videos sound, and then importing the audio and line it up with the video so its synced. 

I’m an absolute amateur, so no doubt theres a better way to sync seperate audio to video in a movie editor. 

Andertons currently have the focusrite pocket for £18 as part of their black friday sale if it was of interest to you. 

Lack of light will deffo make things grainy. 

Even on my £500 camcorder, the difference between video quality shot outside vs shot in my bedroom in daylight with the lights on is slightly noticeable. Once darkness falls outside, the lights in my room really arent enough and the picture has degraded/its auto thing adjusts shutter speed (i think)... 

Still good enough for a thicko like me to use as it is, as I can never get my head around anything unless its simple enough for a 5 year old, but man, light is so key to better quality!  

thegummy

I videoed myself playing guitar with a phone:

skunkwerx

thegummy said:

I videoed myself playing guitar with a phone:

Is that a samstrum?

thegummy

skunkwerx said:

thegummy said:

I videoed myself playing guitar with a phone:

Is that a samstrum?

It is indeed - I never liked the tone when using iPhones as plectrums