you only need a phone

Try Stanley for free: https://getstanley.ai/?ref=ali_abdaal 🚀 Lifestyle Business Academy: Our MBA alternative to build a 6-figure online business → https://lifestylebusiness.com/academy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=ali_yt&utm_term=desc-sweep-2026-07&utm_content=6tmBB5GcOLU 🧠 Superfocus: Our Ultimate Productivity System for People with More Ambition than Time → https://superfocus.me/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=ali_yt&utm_term=desc-sweep-2026-07&utm_content=6tmBB5GcOLU MY OTHER PRODUCTS 🦄 My Productivity Course: LifeOS → https://go.aliabdaal.com/lifeos/ytd 🤑 Grow / Monetise your YouTube Channel → https://go.aliabdaal.com/PTYA/yt 👻 Voicepal: AI Writing App (iOS/Android) - Download for Free → https://go.aliabdaal.com/voicepal/ytd MY BOOK 📕 My New York Times bestselling book Feel-Good Productivity (2,000+ 5-star reviews) → https://go.feelgoodproductivity.com/amazon/yt CONNECT WITH ME 💌 Join LifeNotes, my weekly email where I share what I'm reading & learning: https://go.aliabdaal.com/lifenotes/yt 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/aliabdaal 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aliabdaal 👨‍💻 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-abdaal/ 🐥 X/Twitter: https://x.com/aliabdaal 🌍 My website / blog: https://www.aliabdaal.com/ --- Hey friends, in this video I’m walking you through how to film yourself using literally just your phone (no fancy kit required) based on the little tips and rules of thumb I’ve picked up over the last eight years of making videos. We’ll cover the stuff that makes the biggest difference, like getting nice soft light from a window, keeping your lines straight, making your background a bit more interesting, and choosing the right lens/framing so it feels natural. Hope you enjoy xx 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO Peak Design Mobile Tripod - https://geni.us/V5WTGhd Mantis Pod Pro - https://geni.us/TKVS Dbrand Palettes by Ali Abdaal - https://dbrand.com/shop/limited-edition/palettes Apple Wired EarPods (Lightning) - https://geni.us/HqzvxT Apple Wired EarPods (USB-C) - https://geni.us/5Wbqr Elgato Wave Neo - https://geni.us/ugcgAZ Sony ECM-W3 - https://geni.us/CPYf Sony ZV-E1 - https://geni.us/gUd6VV ⌚️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 00:33 - Lighting, Background and Positioning 02:40 - Filming Handheld 05:56 - Tripods & Stabilisation 09:58 - Frame Rates and Pro Modes 11:27 - What Focal Lengths to Use 13:38 - Audio 16:29 - Setting Up the Shot 22:20 - Authenticity vs Production Value PS: I donate 10% of my income to charity every year. Would you like to join me? Learn more about the 10% Pledge: https://aliabdaal.com/giving-what-we-can/