19 best vlog equipment no-gear hacks

You don’t have to buy the best vlog equipment to start vlogging.  Here are some handy hacks with no gear.  Read on to learn how I handled it as a newbie.

No-gear hacks I used:

1. Phone’s back camera
2. Mirror
3. Handheld
4. Stack of books 
5. Coffee jar or mug
6. Window sill
7. Elastic band
8. Natural sunlight 
9. Soft white curtain
10. Aluminum foil reflector
11. Phone microphone 
12. Stay close 
13. Wait for quiet hours 
14. Quilts and curtains
15. Free editing apps
16. Adjust light
17. Adjust stability 
18. Adjust voice
19. Start today

I’ve been blogging for 7 years.  I’ve also been on Instagram for years.  However,  It wasn’t until last year that I really took vlogging seriously.  

I enjoy creating Instagram reels.  They’re fun for me.  I also share handy content for quick original reels with my audience.

I relate to starting with no gear, initially.  It’s not a big deal, but a natural thing.  Gradually, you can get some equipment, if you choose to.

Find my other article:

Beginners vlog skills

How I vlogged without gear

Asking yourself what equipment do I need to start vlogging?  Basics are normally a camera, lighting, and a microphone.  However, you can start without expensive vlog equipment, until you’re ready for them.

Vlog equipment for beginners is simple.  You already have access to them.  Don’t you believe me?

I’ll highlight ideas, tips, and popular hacks that I practice.  Don’t let hesitation stop you.  It’s easier than you think to make your first video.

Phone’s back camera

Simply use your phone.  You don’t need any expensive gear as a newbie.  You can always get one later on, if you choose to.  I use the back camera of my phone as often as possible for better quality.

Mirror

When using the back camera, you can place a mirror to check if you’re centered.  If not, you risk getting a part of your face or shoulder outside the screen.

Handheld

You don’t yet have a stand? No worries.  Hold your phone in your hand.  It gives a natural touch.  Only avoid moving too much.

Overcome challenges 

Stack of books

Use a pile of books to hold your phone.  This was the first hack I tried when I started vlogging.  It helps, however, be careful not to knock it, and break your phone.

Coffee jar or mug

After a pile of books, I tried coffee cups.  As they’re round, I had some trouble leaning my phone against them.  I then used flat sided coffee jars, which were better.

Window sill

Shooting b-rolls outdoors, I use my window sill when possible.  If you’ve been on my Instagram, you’ll know that I often vlog in my garden.  Sills are ready-made stands that I take advantage of.

Elastic band

If there’s no horizontal support to rest your phone, try elastic bands carefully.  Ensure that the elastic is strong and secure your phone well.  Otherwise, you risk damaging your handy equipment.

Natural sunlight 

Ringlights are affordable.  However, if you don’t have one yet, make use of natural sunlight.  I use it lots, as I shoot outdoors.  When indoors, I get as close enough to the window at the right time of day.

Soft white curtain

Get a softer sunlight effect through the use of a white fabric.  Break the harsh light.  It gives a simple, yet stunning effect to your video quality.

Develop skills 

Aluminum foil reflector

When sunlight comes in one direction, the other side of your face could lack light.  Use a DIY reflector.  Place a piece of aluminium foil to even out the light, avoiding shadows one side. 

Phone microphone 

You can speak clearly enough, even without a microphone.  Use your phone’s in-built microphone.  I started this way, and although the audio quality wasn’t the greatest, it was clear enough to understand.

Stay close 

When using your phone’s microphone, stay close enough.  It helps to record your voice in a clearer way.  

Wait for quiet hours 

What to do in a noisy environment?  Cars passing by and dogs barking is disturbing for you and your listeners.  I wait for a quiet time of the day.

Quilts and curtains

Use noise absorbing tricks.  Avoid harsh surfaces such as tables that don’t help you to produce good quality audio.  I, instead, get close to quilts, cushions and doubled curtains.

Free editing apps

Download free editing apps.  As an Instagram reel vlogger, I use Edits these days.  You can find many others as well.

Adjust light

When editing, you can further adjust lighting.  Remember enough light determines video quality.  You can always tweak it further while editing, but don’t overdo it.

Video stabilizer 

handheld phones give natural videos.  They’re admired, unless too shaky.  I’ve had to use a video stabilizer app, which I downloaded free.

Enhance voice

Improve the audio quality by using the voice enhancement feature.  It can come as a free feature in editing apps.  I’ve tried it in Edits before.

Start today

Just start now, don’t overthink.  It took me time to get to vlogging.  However, after I broke the ice, it was easier than I thought.

Conclusion 

Forget the best vlog equipment if on a budget.  Post your first vlog anyway.  Use the handy tips in my article.

Hone your vlogging skills.

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