How to Film Yourself on a Smartphone (Like a PRO!) 

Question of the Day 💡 What is your RU-vid Channel about? Let me know. ** Check out the Niceyrig Smartphone Monitor HERE ➡ amzn.to/3CX9uDf ***if sold out try this: bit.ly/smartphonemonitor

Omar you are the man showing us that there's no barrier to create content...

Quick Tip: Try to Airplay/Screen Mirror to your TV as a 2nd monitor.

How amazing it is especially when one is vlogging in a mall when you don't want to get destructed and also when one is doing sit down videos using the back camera. This is awesome

This looks like a great solution when out and about! When I'm filming at my desk, I use my Samsung phone and the app Samsung Flow so I can see my screen on my PC monitor!

If you have an Apple Watch it works great as a monitor as well. Just strap it around your iPhone when using the rear camera. Thanks for the vid!

I LITERALLY used a mirror behind my phone to film this weekend LOL This is perfect!

I was just thinking about this the other day and looking for a light acrylic mirror to clamp in place to allow a back view of my (Android) phone... Nice idea. Thanks

I swear I can always count on you guys to put me on to something new. This was in my head but I wasn't quite sure it existed for mobile filmmaking. Thank you!

There's a real design flaw here, isn't there? The view of the mirror is obscured by the clamp. I've been using a small mirror like this for years, and I make sure that the view of the mirror isn't obscured. It's also worth remembering that glancing upwards, to look at a mirror or monitor, is much more obvious to the viewer than looking downwards; so I would always recommend positioning a mirror BELOW the phone, rather than above the phone.

Although I don’t use a smartphone for my videos, I had considered it at one time, but not being able to see the screen put a kabash on that idea. This would be a great tool! Thanks, Omar!

Hmmmm. A mirror that can show you the main screen on your phone as you record. That's actually very useful! Everyone knows that the rear lens of a smartphone works better then the front. Plus you don't get that severe grainy look from the lighting. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 ultra but been thinking of getting the A7iii, new upcoming A7IV or just go straight for the A7SIII instead.

That's a pretty cool solution for those wanting to use their rear camera and see themselves. If I do use my phone which is the Google Pixel 4XL I use it for B roll but this is great solution for others, I use my M50 for my regular videos with my Sigma lens which is my preferred recording method.

You just helped me so much. I’m a new creator and with gardening this will help me save so much time from going back and forth checking the shot. I’m using my iPhone 10 and this is awesome. Thanks soooo much👍🏽💯

I recently damaged my Cannon G7xiii and have been using my iPhone X and I really like it. But I was really getting frustrated because I almost have to have a mirror behind it to make sure I’m being focused right this is going to help me a lot thank you for sharing

This is dope! But now you need a mount with multiple cold shoes to allow for a mic too. I can definitely see the benefit, considering my iPhone has randomly stopped recording on me a few times after filming 10+ minutes of talking.

The majority of my videos are faceless, but I do have a few talking head bits in some videos, so this would be an awesome stop-gap solution. I use an Android phone to record (S21 Ultra) and I'm very happy with the quality. My 4 more recent videos were done with this phone and I'm super impressed by the quality. I am a little tempted to get an iPhone as the video quality is objectively better. Not by a massive margin mind you

Exactly what I needed, it’s really key that you shared that it’s not really made for the phone but for cams.. hope they more more products like these

Thanks for walking through how to use it! Taking it on a cruise later this week 🚢

Life can go from zero to a hundred real quick. Don't give up 🌺

Been looking for something like this, never thought of a mounted mirror though… hell of an idea. Know of any external powered monitor options?

There are silicone mirror cases available for many smartphones that turn the entire rear side of the phone into a mirror and help framing the shot. A good solution for those who want the most simple solution and trust their phones to manage focus and exposure.

Is it always recommended to shoot at 4k on smartphone? or is 1080p good enough? I always find 4k consuming way too much space!

This is genius man! I’m not a smartphone vlogger but I have used my phone before and it’s soooo cool that this is an option now! Brilliant video 🙌🏽

your perfect vlogging setup video is legit. must watch. think media. so hot rn

Thank you this will help me out a lot more then me trying to use mirror to look at myself doesn’t work well with my iPhone it looks like I’m looking down instead of looking directly at my phone

Thanks for talking about this. It's like the only video that shows up. I knew this sort of mirror monitors should exist but now I am looking for something more practical. Like a digital screen that could be attached to the back of the phone.

Thanks for the recommendation, great idea and the price is right! I shoot with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with its built in Pro Mode. Don't sleep on the S21 Ultra and Samsung's Video Pro Mode in the stock camera app! 🙌🏽🔥🔥🔥

Now THIS is dope. Will experiment with the 13 Pro Max

Hi Omar. I'm getting the Niceyrig thingy for my Android Note8. In keeping with your advice, I am starting my channel by maximizing the equipment I have on hand before investing in more. Great Idea. I'm optimizing my lighting and sound before investing in a better camera. I have an Android Note 20, Android Note 8, a Vixia HF R300 camcorder, a point and shoot, and a Ipad. Surely I can get some ok video and maybe even some multiple camera shoots with this equipment. Anyway, that's where I'm starting. I'm 3 videos in to my new channel at the moment so I have a lot of experimenting to do.

This is awesome!! I use an iPhone 12

Nice! Where was this back in 2009 when I first started?! I was using the FlipCam and then the Kodak Zi8 back in the early years. I used to hang a small mirror at just the right angle behind my Zi8 so I could make sure I was in the shot. My setup was, and still is the dining room table facing windows so there was a convenient spot to hang the mirror. I then switch to a Canon VIXIA camcorder for several years so I didn't need the mirror anymore. My switch to using an iPhone happened with Filmic Pro and the Filmic Remote. If you have two devices (phone and tablet say), then you can use that setup. If not, this would be perfect. Add in a cheap Bluetooth camera remote paired with the phone and you can start and stop recording. A lot of cheap portable "selfie" tripods have this remote either as a separate remote or built into the handle. Nice find Omar! I currently use an iPhone 11 Pro as my main. For multicam setups I'll used my iPhone X and a DJI Osmo Pocket. I only use this set up when I travel and do interviews. It's a pain, but the results are great. The cool part is that I can control all three cameras using apps on an iPad.

Thank you so much for this tip!!! I needed this

Thank you so much for this! I’ve been having so many issues that take up a lot of time when recording and I end up giving up on my video. This is going to help so much!

I was just thinking about getting something like this!

If anyone has an Apple Watch, you can also strap it to your phone and open the Camera app. It'll mirror what's being viewed by the phone camera so you can see yourself on the watch while facing the rear cameras. But it'll also kill your watch battery so use sparingly/with a charger!

This is a very creative solution to a real problem. Good stuff.

Omg, thank you so much. I’ve been looking for something like this for the longest!

The autofocus on your camera is awesome. What camera did you use to shoot this video?

This will be awesome for doing diy videos! I just got a Samsung A51 phone and the camera is great! Thanks for the info!!!!!

I watched this video when it was new, and now I'm coming back to it, b/c I'm looking to purchase this mirror attachment. I don't know why I didn't catch it before, but that B-Roll of you filming your lime green Game Boy Color playing Pokemon Red or Blue! I knew you were cool Omar! 😄🎮

I’ve been looking for this for ages! I’ve been trying to make my own because I could never find one!

Love this video! I needed a view myself using my iPhone!

I actually am using mirrors on a chair to do the same thing, but this will definitely save some time of me trying to prop things on things to make the mirror work 😂 thanks!

Looks like you guys helped them to sell out QUICK! Great little hack though, I'll grab one when they're available again 💪🏽

You guys at Think media really inspired and helped me alot to start my own channel, i see you guys are passionate about what you do. 👍

Congrats on 1.8 million subscribers! 2 million is coming soon!!

Where has this been all my YT life?! 😭

I sooooooooooo needed this info!!!! I was having a brain fart trying to get the higher quality and still be able to monitor myself.... I'm comfortable talking to myself not the phone.... lol.... Major score in my opinion!!!! Thanks!!!!!

😆 thank you so so much I am screaming with excitement for this 🥰

Thanks! Really needed this

Thank you. What if we want to put a light and a micro as well?

this was on my recommended at the right time. you just saved my life man 😭💕 thank you so much

Just managed to buy the last one in the UK - Thanks Omar

This was helpful, thank you! I'm going to see if I can use a mirror in my set up. I use my iPhone SE for my videos. : )

Thank you for this! The smart phone clamp is sold separately from the selfie stick? I see your links to everything except the actual stick, could you share that one too? Thanks!

This is amazing. Thank you so much!! I currently use my 11 Pro Max iPhone. Will be getting the 13 soon tho!

Great idea. I've been trying to shoot overhead videos with my phone and in order to get the right height, the only way to see the screen or press record is to get up on a ladder every time. You can imagine how frustrating it is to shoot something for several minutes, climb up the ladder, only to discover the framing was whack and you were shooting some weird angle of the floor or wall, or worse, you weren't recording at all or your battery died. Definitely gonna try this, thanks for the tip! 🤌

Thanks for the vid. What is the name of the tripod you are using. Cheers.

I’ve been looking for something like this… THANK YOU!!

I definitely need this smartphone monitor. Thank you think media team!

you can use your iWatch as your monitor just wrap it around your phone and you can use you rear facing camera and have a nice small monitor :)

VRA Fam' here. Filming in 4k with my Android with DJI gimbal + 120 Go SD card :D Pure genius this little mirror! Too bad it won't work with my DJI tho.

I remember when I saw a Nokia N90 or something similar, I thought it's a good design and probably be the future of smartphone photography.

This rig is so clutch! Thanks Omar!

Thanks for the review! I bought it, but it doesn't allow me to add my Ulanzi light on it. Do I just need extra screws?

Thanks for this bro, I have been looking for months for something like this.

This is cool! I use a mirror propped up on something to see. Works, but this would be better. Thanks! Now I just need to figure out how to set the focus and exposure by myself. That's the hardest part using a smartphone to film. I leave it on auto for now and it kind of works, but editing can be tricky/annoying if one shot is brighter than the other.

This is great! I use my iPhone X

Thanks.

This is what I have been searching for ( the hot shoe mirror ). Now if it only wasnt out of stock 😜

Whaw! Mechanical optical solutions in this digital LED screens age is ... novel, at least! I make all my videos almost exclusively with the iPhone 11 Pro Max, so this solution is of great interest to me.I wonder though, how about the image you see being a mirror- image? Also, is it still easy to see anything in the sunny daylight? Thanks! Linas

Thank you for the tips. I using Samsung Smartphone to filming my vlog

Wow awesome!! Hate using the selfie side cuz the labels on the wine bottles are always backwards! Galaxy 10 btw

That Calendar is Lit 🙌🙌

Does it also work as a tilt screen? So when you’re making a low or high shot (not being a selfie)?

Awesome find! Thanks for the review. Just purchased one.

love this! what a good magnet lightbox for the color you can recommend?

It does help having a screen for your back camera i have the zflip 3 and it makes it so much easier to record having that screen

when making talking head videos at home I usually use my MacBook pro as a monitor but this would be so much easier will definitely purchase this when I have my studio area setup if I don’t have a dedicated camera by then 👍🏼

I use my phone for everything thanks for the tips

Wow great. I was searching for such tool for some time. I had so many times that super frustrating moment when you record for some time, you go to check your video and it stoped recording 20 minutes ago, because of different reasons such as phone memory is full or battery is less than 20%, or so on. Anyways, thanks for sharing this tip.:)

Thank you for this great tip! Your videos have been so helpful as I start this journey. iPhone 12 user

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to order one of those. I definately can use that for my videos.

So if I want to change the auto focus setting so that the focus is not changing when leaning to the camera or when I move my hands and then it also jumps the background. How do I focus on myself by pushing the? Screen focus without having the auto focus on so that it remains in the same focus. But my camera is at a different distance from me. In the shot VS when I hit the focus button.

Valuable stuff. Will it work for all phones i have an android G5 stylus

OMG thank you, I've been looking for something like this.

Omar, around the 3-minute mark, that stick you are holding in your hand, what product is that, feel free to share. Thanks.

Great idea! Thank you for the tips!

You have solved a problem for me! Big thanks 😊 🙏

I was just thinking about ways to accommodate this! Leave it to Omar to find it! Once again finding huge value for TM followers. Thank you!

My last few Vids I used my iPhone 13 Pro mainly to try it out in my studio setting. I usually use a Canon R5

What type of tripod are you using for all of this to attach to thank you - I'm using an iphone

If you have an Apple Watch you can also use the camera app on the watch as an external monitor. Helps in a pinch.

Very helpful to me thanks for sharing

🔥 Thanks for the video and using iPhone 12 mini

I planned to buy a mirror phone case but this gives me a better option.

Yesss! I needed this! Thank you!

Hey, Thanks for this video! I just updated my Samsung S9+ to a Samsung S23 FE. I'm wondering if this mirror would work in portrait mode? I usually record my blues performances on my Zoom Q2n-4k for .mov file landscape mode but simultaneously record on my phone for tall/thin portrait mode which works better for Instagram and RU-vid shorts format. Since I just got this nice phone I thought I would start using the higher quality back phone lens. I saw these mirrors on amazon but wondered if hooking up a small phone monitor would serve my purpose better than a mirror. I just need to check and see if both me and my drummer are in the frame and it is usually a fixed position for the whole gig! Thanks!

Great option. I see myself using this soon. How about you guys?