Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Three cheap fixes for shaky footage, ranked
By Lewis Whitter, wedding & events photographer (11+ years) · How we pickShaky footage gives away a beginner in two seconds. Here are three fixes, ranked from cheapest to best.
Number three: hold the phone with both hands and tuck your elbows into your ribs. It costs nothing and removes most of the wobble.
Number two: a small travel tripod, for any shot where you are not moving. Best rated ones fold down to bag size.
Number one: a phone gimbal, which keeps the picture level while you walk. Spec for spec, a gimbal beats built-in stabilisation for smooth walking shots, though it adds weight.
Start with the free fix today, add the tripod next, and buy the gimbal only when you need to move.
The picks
Make your photos pop: our Lightroom presets →FREE · NO SIGN-UP
Buying used? Grab the checklist first
The 12 checks Lewis runs before handing over cash for a second-hand camera or lens. Print it or keep it on your phone.
Get the free used-gear checklist →Download the printable PDF (free) →▶ Subscribe: 2 budget tips a dayLewis's Lightroom presets →Read next
The SD card mistake that ruins your videoHere's a mistake that ruins good footage: using any old SD card for video. Cheap, slow cards…Read the guide →
The 3-second test that spots a dodgy used lensBuying a used lens? Shine your phone torch through it. Spidery threads mean fungus. Walk away.…Read the guide →Don't buy a new camera. Buy this insteadDon't buy a new camera. Used ones lose most of their value early, then hold it. Buy from a…Read the guide →