New to Video? Here's How to Shoot Video Backgrounds

If you're new to shooting video, creating video backgrounds is a great place to start.

The idea of shooting video just to use a background might seem a bit unexpected. But video backgrounds are similar to shooting b-roll video—background footage is simply, well, simple footage that you can use just about anywhere.

On Pexels, people are always searching for high quality video backgrounds to use for a wide range of projects. Video backgrounds can add some fun to a Zoom call, and they're invaluable to YouTubers and other video creators wanting to add a different setting to their shoot through a green screen. Video backgrounds can add texture to website landing pages, app design, and social media ads.

There are almost endless places where video creators are in need of simple—yet interesting!—background footage to spice up a video project. As a videographer yourself, you may find you're in need of background footage to superimpose behind text for a title or credit screen for your video.

Shooting and editing backgrounds is also an awesome option for beginner videographers wanting to try out some easy yet useful projects.

Creating background footage offers a fun challenge in terms of seeking out compelling textures and colors, but it's still a little easier to approach putting background videos together than it is to edit together footage with multiple cuts, or to capture complex motion.

Perfecting your background footage will help you learn video skills you can bring to shooting more difficult subjects like people, sports, street scenes, and whatever else grabs your attention.

So, how do you get started? Our resident video expert Ricky Esquivel shares some key tips for creating awesome video backgrounds below. He's also created a detailed video expanding on these pointers—check it out at our YouTube channel.

Video Background Tip #1: Shoot videos that are as smooth as possible

This tip is number one because it's the most important: a tripod is absolutely key for creating stable, smooth background footage.

Ricky says you can also place your camera on a flat surface if you don't have a tripod, but tripods can be pretty cheap and are definitely a good investment for any video creator.

Time lapses are classic choices for video backgrounds, and of course a tripod is essential for a great time lapse. Shooting a scene from above with a drone can also be a good way to achieve a smooth video.

Video Background Tip #2: Keep your video super simple

Ideally, video backgrounds shoudn't have a clear subject. This might sound confusing—shouldn't every video have a subject?

Of course, if you're creating background footage, the subject will be something else that gets added in later! (Like someone's lovely face on a video chat, for example.) So you want to avoid too much distraction in your video background.

"Videos backgrounds are usually simpler videos that let the viewer relax their vision, instead of having to focus on something," Ricky notes. Keep this in mind when you choose what to shoot.

Great options to start with include interesting walls (bricks, stucco, graffiti) and natural textures (leaves, grass, raindrops). You can also try capturing simple outdoor scenes where you don't focus too much on any one part of the shot. Think cars driving by on a busy street, or the lights of a city seen from above.

Video Background Tip #3: Make sure your camera is leveled both horizontally and vertically

This ensures your video will be as versatile as possible. Avoid a super high/low angle to your shot, or an uneven horizon.

"A leveled clip can make it easier to be used as a 'believable' background to your video chat, for example," Ricky shares.

Video Background Tip #4: Get creative with focus

Video backgrounds are one area of video where you can get away with an unfocused shot. "It can be useful to record videos that are out of focus if their purpose is to be used as background videos," says Ricky. "Switch to manual focus and defocus your video. Get bokeh!"

Ricky also stresses that an unfocused background creates effectives separation—think of portraits with a shallow depth of field.

Video Background Tip #5: Dial in the right shutter speed

Finally, be sure to expose your video properly, and dial in the correct shutter speed for the effect you want.

"For video, remember that smooth motion is achieved when you set your shutter speed to double your frame rate," Ricky says. "For example: 24 fps ≈ 1/50 S.S and 60 fps ≈ 1/120 S.S."

Cover photo by Lê Minh.