3 key video tools for Apple device users
- Sarah Lasseter
- Jul 16, 2020
- 2 min read
If you're working with videos on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, all three, or any combination of Apple devices, this post is for you! Stay tuned for future articles on my favorite video resources to use with PCs and device-agnostic tools!
1. Mobile Camera/Webcam/Quicktime
The cameras on the Mac, iPad, and iPhone are some of my favorites for recording videos for my students! If I'm working with slides, software, or other things on a screen, I also use Quicktime to record a fast screen capture video.
If you're concerned about resolution/sound, the audio and video quality on the iPhone is probably my favorite. This isn't always the best fit for the videos I'm making, but if I'm recording demonstrations, short lectures without slides, or other mini-movies, the iPhone camera is my go to.
Quick tips for filming on iPhones:
Check the space on your phone before you record! If you're running low, your video may cut out while you're recording.
Film horizontally for better video quality/aspect ratios. I typically use a small phone tripod on my desk to hold my phone while I record.
If you're filming in selfie mode, try to look at the camera (and not yourself too much)!
2. AirDrop
Once I have a video on my phone, I can easily send it to my Mac (or vice versa) for storing, editing, or uploading with AirDrop. This is much easier than emailing or transferring the videos to the cloud or other methods of sharing. As long as you've enabled your AirDrop permissions to share and accept files, you can quickly send videos between your phone and computer. Sometimes I upload videos directly to YouTube from my phone, but if I need to do any editing or modification to the videos, AirDrop is the way to go.
AirDrop also works for photo or audio files, so if I need to add those to videos, it works just as easily!
3. iMovie
If you've edited videos on a Mac, you've probably encountered iMovie. This video-editing software has a fairly-quick learning curve, and it comes with lots of simple features that make putting your videos together quick and efficient! If you're just uploading simple videos for education, you probably won't need all of its bells and whistles, but the titles, overlays, and voiceover/audio options are great tools for the beginning video editor.
What about iMovie for the iPhone or iPad? Editing videos on my phone is one of my favorite ways to get a quick product together. If you haven't used the mobile editing app, I highly recommend it. Take the time to get to know the tool first. Some of iMovie's features are slightly different in the mobile app, including title options, templates, and some editing capabilities. Tilt the device horizontally to ease access to all of the great features.
My favorite time-saving iMovie mobile features:
Simple title & subtitle options
Easily cut clips by swiping down on the highlighted video
Quickly add pictures or other videos from your phone's photo library
Export and upload directly to YouTube from iMovie
What other video tools do you use on your Apple devices? Up next: posts on my favorite video resources to use with PCs and device-agnostic tools!
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