Capture Perfect Slo-Mo Videos

The world moves fast. But with slow-motion video, you can capture the moments that flash by—whether a skateboard trick, a swished jumpshot, or a bursting bubble.

Want to give a more cinematic flair to the slo-mo video you capture with the Camera app? Follow these tips.

‣ When filming an action shot, let the action come to you. In the video above, we waited for our subject to enter and exit the frame—which gives the clip a clear beginning and end. It also helped us stabilize the footage.

Also be sure to experiment with your angles. Here, we went super-low—to great effect.

‣ Slo-mo video can make the shakes and bumps from handheld footage a lot less noticeable. We filmed the clip above while gently rolling on a skateboard—a simple form of the Hollywood “dolly shot.” Here’s a technique to ensure steadier shots: Hold your iPhone with both hands and keep your elbows pressed into your sides for stability.

Expert tip: To pan with less shake, pivot from your hips.

‣ By default, your slo-mo video will start playing back at normal speed, slow down in the middle, then return to normal speed again. But to focus on the most dramatic moment, you’ll want to set those transition points manually.

To do so, edit your video and look for the the line of white tick marks. Dragging the taller tick marks to the left or right will adjust the playback speed.

‣ You’re probably familiar with VSCO’s arty filters (called presets) for still images. But did you know they also work with slo-mo videos? Here, we applied AU1, which emulates Agfa Ultra 100 film.

Experiment with the Strength, Character, and Warmth sliders—but keep it subtle to avoid distracting from the action on hand. And voilà! A color-graded slo-mo video that’s ready for the big screen.

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