YouTube is undoubtedly one of the most popular social media channels worldwide, with about 1.9 billion users using it every month. The number of people accessing YouTube content is going to increase further, especially with people gaining internet accessibility and a plethora of regional programmes available on the platform.
Starting a new YouTube channel is as easy as viewing the videos on YouTube! Be it a tutorial video, beauty tips, travel or food reviews, the perfect combination of quality content and creative storytelling through videos is sure to engage and enthral your viewers. In addition to ingenious ideas, YouTube entrepreneurs should invest in some primary equipment to get started with their channel.
Listed below are some of the most important pieces of equipment that you require to create high-quality video content.
A camera
A good quality camera is the most basic requirement to make good YouTube videos. From a simple smartphone to a high-end DSLR, you can use any camera to shoot your video. In case you are shooting a video of yourself, it can also be through webcams and selfie videos. You can start out with a simple camera and later switch to DSLR and mirrorless cameras. A good camera is required for perfect focus and improved image quality.
What is just as important is to have a good resolution on your YouTube videos. The recommended resolutions for a standard video is 640*480. With high definition (HD) videos becoming increasingly popular, you can also enhance your video quality to higher resolutions.
Tripod stand
Shaky videos can distract viewers from even the best quality content. They can make your videos look amateurish, and discourage them from subscribing. This is why you should invest in a strong tripod stand to hold your camera. If you are using a top-range professional camera, you should check if the tripod can support its weight. If you are using your phone camera, there are separate phone holders to reduce the shake while shooting and help you create stable videos.
Lighting system
Good lighting is the secret sauce to a great video. Although this is often overlooked, it is important to ensure that your videos are shot with good lighting in the background. If you are shooting your videos outdoors, natural sunlight will do its job to make your videos bright. However, some of the challenges of shooting outdoors include increased contrast, image saturation and lens flare. Make sure you do a test run outdoors to look out for these potential issues. In the case of indoor shooting, ensure that the place where you shoot has sufficient lighting. If you are looking for sophisticated lighting, then you can invest in film shooting lights to replicate a studio effect.
Microphone
Your video is incomplete without the audio. To keep your viewers interested and engaged, lucid audio complementing your video is a must. The major problem with the in-built microphones available with smartphones or even a DSLR is that they fail to filter out the external background noise. So, the next vital equipment is a good microphone. From USB to condenser microphones, there are many options available in the market. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
Video editing software
Good video editing software is an integral part of post-production work. Any disturbance in the video during shooting can be resolved with this software. Also, finer details like unsteady images, sound editing, colour correction and incorporating animations can be addressed using this tool. All you need to do is to play around with the software and modify your video as per your interests and liking.
With the right mix of hardware and software for creating your videos, you are all set to become a professional YouTuber! With quality content delivered in the form of engrossing videos, your story is sure to captivate a large audience.