If you’re new to creating content, whether for social media, YouTube, or any other platform, the learning curve can be steep.
The good news is that you don’t have to go through it alone! Over the years, I’ve seen common beginner mistakes made again and again, and most of them can be easily avoided with a little preparation and knowledge.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through the 10 most frequent mistakes I see day to day—and give you the tools to fix them so you can create content that looks polished, professional, and, most importantly, impactful.
Let’s dive into these 10 beginner mistakes and how you can avoid them to ensure your content always hits the mark.
1. Improper Exposure: Your Number One Mistake
Why It Happens:
Exposure might seem like a simple concept, but it’s one of the most common mistakes I see, especially from beginners.
When exposure isn’t set correctly, your footage can end up either too dark or too bright—neither of which is acceptable for professional-quality content.
How to Fix It:
Exposure is controlled through three main factors: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. The perfect settings depend on the lighting in your scene, and there’s no one-size-fits-all. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Shutter Speed: This controls the motion blur in your video. The 2x rule is your friend here—double your frame rate to set your shutter speed for natural motion blur. For example, if you’re shooting at 24fps, set your shutter speed to 1/48.
- Aperture: This is fixed on most smartphones, so focus on shutter speed and ISO to control exposure.
- ISO: Be cautious with ISO. Increasing it can make your video brighter, but it also introduces digital noise, which ruins the clarity.
When your video is too dark, you can increase the ISO or add more light to the scene. On the flip side, if your video is too bright, try using an ND filter or adjust the shutter speed to bring the exposure down.
The key takeaway? Always use a histogram to monitor exposure in real-time and avoid relying on automatic settings. The goal is smooth, cinematic footage that doesn’t suffer from exposure jumps.
2. Shooting with the Wrong Frame Rate
Why It Happens:
Shooting at the wrong frame rate is a mistake that many beginners make, especially when they don’t fully understand the difference between standard footage and slow-motion footage.
How to Fix It:
- For regular-speed footage, 24fps is the industry standard. It provides the smooth, cinematic look most filmmakers want.
- If you plan on slowing down your footage, you need to shoot at higher frame rates, such as 60, 120, or even 240fps. Trying to slow down 24fps footage will result in choppy, unnatural motion.
- Editing frame rates: If you shoot at 30fps but edit in a 24fps timeline, you’ll experience frame drops that create a jerky, unprofessional look. Stick to 24fps for regular footage and 60fps or higher for slow motion.
So, remember to shoot at the right frame rate for the intended look—24fps for regular content and higher frame rates for slow-motion shots. It’s essential for smooth, professional footage.
3. Lack of Depth in Your Shots
Why It Happens:
Creating depth in a shot is something that often gets overlooked by beginners, leading to flat, lifeless footage. Without depth, your videos can feel one-dimensional and boring.
How to Fix It:
There are several ways to add depth:
- Foreground, subject, and background: Create layers in your scene by ensuring there’s distance between the subject and the background. This will give your shot depth and make it more visually interesting.
- Camera movement: Use camera movement to exaggerate three-dimensional space. For example, moving the camera slightly to reveal a new element in the foreground can add depth to your shots.
- Lighting and perspective: Experiment with lighting to emphasize depth. Backlighting or using a wide aperture can create beautiful separation between the subject and the background.
The more you focus on framing your shots with layers and movement, the more immersive and dynamic your footage will be.
4. Shooting Without a Story
Why It Happens:
Many new creators start filming without any clear plan or direction. This results in footage that doesn’t come together cohesively in the edit, leaving the viewer confused.
How to Fix It:
Every video should have a purpose. Whether it’s a YouTube video, a commercial, or a social media post, aim to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Storyboarding: Plan your shots before you start filming. Think about the narrative you want to convey, and use your footage to support that.
- Purpose-driven content: Ask yourself why you’re filming each scene and how it contributes to the overall message of the video.
Even a simple vlog can become ten times more engaging when there’s a clear story structure behind it. Planning is key.
5. Bad Lighting: The Killer of Good Footage
Why It Happens:
You could have the best camera in the world, but without proper lighting, your footage will look flat and amateurish. It’s a mistake that’s often overlooked but is critical for professional-quality work.
How to Fix It:
Lighting is your best friend when it comes to creating high-quality content:
- Natural light: Avoid shooting at high noon when the sun is directly overhead. Instead, aim to shoot during golden hours (sunrise and sunset) to get soft, flattering light.
- Artificial lighting: A simple light kit can transform your shots. Consider using diffusers to soften harsh shadows and create a more cinematic look.
- Lighting placement: Experiment with placing your light at different angles to find the most flattering setup for your subject.
Invest in basic lighting equipment or learn to use the natural light around you to elevate your video quality.
6. Improper White Balance
Why It Happens:
Incorrect white balance can result in unnatural color tones in your footage, making everything look either too warm or too cool. This mistake is often overlooked, but it can ruin an otherwise perfect shot.
How to Fix It:
- Check your white balance settings before filming. If you’re shooting with artificial light, your white balance should be set lower (around 3000-4000K). For daylight, aim for 5000K.
- Use a reference: If you’re unsure about your settings, hold a white object (like a piece of paper) in front of the camera to help adjust the white balance.
- Monitor the skin tones of your subject to ensure they look natural. If the tones look too green or magenta, adjust your white balance until they look realistic.
Taking a few moments to check your white balance will save you hours of editing time correcting color issues later.
7. Skipping Sound Design
Why It Happens:
Many beginners neglect sound design, thinking that the visuals alone will carry the video. But sound is just as important as the visuals for creating an immersive, lifelike experience.
How to Fix It:
- Add sound effects: From footsteps to background noise, these subtle sounds make a huge difference in how the audience perceives the video.
- Use music: Music can elevate the mood of your video, whether you’re aiming for a dramatic or upbeat tone.
- Clean audio: Ensure that your dialogue or on-screen sound is crystal clear by using noise reduction tools and proper sound editing.
Sound is half of the viewing experience, so don’t skip it. Even simple sound effects can make your video feel more immersive.
8. Amateur Movements
Why It Happens:
Beginners often try to mimic complex camera movements without understanding the gear or technique behind them, which leads to jerky or distracting footage.
How to Fix It:
- Keep it simple: Start with basic, smooth movements. Think of panning, tilting, or sliding the camera to enhance your shots.
- Know your gear: Understand what your camera and stabilizer are capable of. Don’t push beyond what you can control, especially when you’re just starting out.
- Movement should enhance the story: Movement is meant to support the narrative, not distract from it. Keep your movements deliberate and meaningful.
Don’t feel the need to overcomplicate things. A well-executed, simple movement can often be more effective than an overly ambitious one.
9. Failure to Fill the Frame
Why It Happens:
Beginners often shy away from getting close to their subjects, leaving too much empty space in their shots, which makes the footage feel disconnected and lifeless.
How to Fix It:
- Get closer to your subject: Try to fill the frame with your subject’s face or body to create a more intimate connection with the viewer.
- Reframe in post: If you can’t physically get closer, adjust the framing in your editing software to eliminate dead space and focus the viewer’s attention on the subject.
Getting close to your subject will make your footage feel more engaging and dynamic.
10. Over-Editing Your Content
Why It Happens:
When beginners start editing, it’s easy to get carried away with flashy effects, transitions, and over-the-top edits that end up detracting from the content.
How to Fix It:
- Keep it simple: Use basic cuts and transitions. The best editing often goes unnoticed, letting the story and visuals speak for themselves.
- Avoid trendy effects: Resist the temptation to use every cool effect you can find. Stick to edits that support the story, not distract from it.
Remember, less is often more when it comes to editing. Keep your edits clean, simple, and purposeful.
Conclusion
By avoiding these 10 beginner mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to creating professional-quality content in no time.
Keep these tips in mind before your next shoot, and use them as your pre-shoot checklist to make sure you’re always on the right track.
Editing and shooting videos takes practice, but with these tips, you’ll find yourself creating better content, faster, and with more confidence.