How to Shoot VR Video: 6 Tips for 360 Degree Cameras

 

The next generation of photography and videography is here - 360 Degree VR Shoots. 360 Degree videos have been around for a few years and ever since YouTube provided support for it on their platform in 2015, it has become easily available and accessible to the masses.

360 Degree Shoots have created new opportunities and possibilities for filmmakers, content creators, and brands. The market for these shoots is expected to grow from $765 million in 2020 to $5.19 billion by 2028.

In this post, we'll show you 6 amazing tips that will take your 360 Degree VR Shoots from plain boring to absolutely stunning!

What Is A 360 Degree Shoot?

Before we get to the tips of shooting a 360 Degree VR video, some of you might be wondering what exactly this type of shoot means. Simply put, a 360 Degree Shoot is one where the camera takes 360-degree video footage of its surroundings. This means that you can see everything around the camera in one horizontal sweep.

You might have seen these types of videos on YouTube or similar platforms. These are usually spherical-looking videos that allow you to interact with them by rotating your POV in any direction. Even up-down!

How To Shoot The Perfect 360 Degree VR Video

Here are our tried and tested tips for shooting the best 360 Degree VR Video possible!

Tip #1 - Choose The Right Equipment

As 360 Degree VR shoots require 360-degree cameras and extensive video editing, the first step in moving ahead is to choose the right equipment for your shoot. 

You can either use a 360-degree camera or create a fully-fledged 360 rig. A normal 360 camera captures footage from every angle around it (horizontal). If you want to capture footage vertically too, you will need a 360 camera with dual lenses. 

A 360 rig is a setup of multiple cameras that are filming in all directions at the same time. This gives you more control over what you want to capture and how you want to stitch it together in post-production. 

There are great 360-degree cameras out there in different price ranges - varying from  $200 to $5000. Check out the popular models from GoPro, Nikon, and even Samsung, and find out which is the one that suits your requirements.

Tip #2 - Be Comfortable With Shooting Blind

Shooting 360 Degree VR videos is not like shooting a normal video. You will be unable to see the footage on your camera or phone immediately after you capture it. This is because you're not allowed to be in the camera's line of sight until the shooting is done. If you can see the camera, it means the camera can see you.

This is why 360 Degree VR shooters need to be comfortable with shooting completely blind. You will have to trust your instincts and always make sure you shoot more video content than needed. 

As a general rule of thumb, for a 10-15 second video, you should aim to shoot at least 1-minute of content. You never know when that one great shot will come along.

Tip #3 - Choose Your Location Wisely

Like with normal video shoots, the location of your 360 Degree VR shoot is key. 

You will need to scout for a location that has plenty to offer in terms of visuals and can be shot in multiple ways. A 360-degree shoot is not about capturing one moment or scene - it's about capturing an experience. This means you will have to ensure there is a 360-degree view of your location that you can capture in multiple ways.

Since framing is impossible in these kinds of shoots, you should also choose a location that's free of crowds and other obstacles that might ruin the video. 

Tip #4 - Plenty Of Lighting Is The Key

One of the biggest challenges 360 Degree VR shooters face is lighting. You need to be very smart with how you will place your lights and where you're shooting. 

If there are too many shadows or the lighting is uneven, it will be very difficult to stitch the videos together in post-production without any visual errors. 

Make sure you have plenty of lights and that they are all evenly placed around your set. You might also want to consider using light reflectors to bounce light onto your subject's faces for a more natural lighting effect.

Tip #5 - Keep The Camera At The Same Height As Your Line Of Sight

You want your viewers to experience the 360-degree video from a first-person POV. This means that your camera should be placed at the same height as an average person's line of sight. This is about five feet and six inches.

Keep it too low or too high, and you will distort the viewer's experience. Get yourself a good tripod or mount to keep the camera steady and in place at the right height.

Tip #6 - Invest In A Good Post-Production Software

Post-production is a very crucial step for 360 Degree VR shooters. 

You will need to invest in 360 video production software that can help you stitch the footage together and add various other effects, texts, and filters to create an immersive 360 experience for your viewers. 

There are many great post-production software out there, like Final Cut Pro X or Final Cut Pro X, that can help you get the job done. Make sure to do your research and find the one that's right for you.

Conclusion

With these 6 tips, you should be well on your way to creating 360 Degree VR videos like a pro! Remember, practice makes perfect so keep shooting and experimenting until you get the results you're looking for. Have fun with it!

Check out the rest of our blog to learn more about 360-degree shoots and how they're revolutionizing the content creation industry!