A Real-World iPhone Video Shoot
- Blake Calhoun
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
I use my iPhone routinely on video projects, especially for YouTube - and mainly as an easy and great way to capture high-quality b-roll.
So a few product shots here and a few insert shots (of whatever) there. And while I do sometimes use it as the main camera, it's primarily as a B camera or again, to shoot b-roll.
But on a new video I just made for my 2nd YouTube channel about how CDs are making a comeback - I shot everything on my iPhone. Everything related to the CD player. I did shoot me on camera later with a Sony FX30.
So it was technically a two-part shoot using two different cameras, but the iPhone was the only camera used to shoot the main footage of the CDs and CD player.
I made a behind-the-scenes video of how I shot with the iPhone and also how I color graded the footage.
Some tech specs:
Used an iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shot with the Blackmagic Camera app
Shot 24fps 4K HEVC 50 Mbps
Used Apple Log 2
Color graded in Premiere Pro using my Film Look LUTs
Watch the BTS video here:
And then check out the full CD video here:
I realize today people shoot all kinds of projects with their iPhones, which is great. But a lot of those projects look like they are shot on an iPhone.
And that's the thing I try to avoid.
I don't want the camera to be noticeable or a limitation. And using the techniques I show in the BTS video you can make that happen. The footage looks great and mixes seamlessly with traditional cameras - or of course can work perfectly well on its own.
Also, the color grading I did is purposely very simple. And that's really the point. You're working with tools today that are easy to use, but also can produce excellent professional results - even if you're not a professional filmmaker or colorist.
With the right knowledge and a few accessories you can make any footage shot with an iPhone look amazing.
If you'd like to try the LUTs for yourself then you can get them here and at the time of this post they're on sale so you can SAVE 20%.
Btw, do you listen to CDs? I'm so back into it and just physical media in general. Been going through my Blu-rays and even cassette tapes recently and having lots of fun.
Happy filmmaking!
-BC
