We have all seen them, those devilishly engaging Instagram Reels that have you spending more time on Instagram than you would like. The ones that go viral. The ones that have you going all the way, to click the link in the bio.

Knowing how to make the right reels is important because videos are hot right now. It’s the best way to get noticed, and not only are social media users embracing it more and more, Instagram algorithms are out to make sure your reels get noticed. 

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What is the magic behind a great Reel?

Many people think that it takes complex tools (that cost thousands) to make a great reel. However, the magic involved in creating a visually compelling Instagram reel involves the use of very common tools that you can get off Amazon for just a few bucks: a tripod, a ring light, a solid color in the background and, of course, your enthusiasm. That is all it takes to create fire content you can be proud of. 

Say goodbye to shaky videos with a tripod

Have you ever watched a video where everything looked shaky? Okay, scratch that. Do you remember that time you took videos at your family event, and you thought they were great but ended up not adding them to your story because they just weren’t it? 

The first step to shooting a reel like a pro is saying a big fat YES to a tripod stand. The majority of self-shot videos tend to not look steady, but a tripod is what will make the shift to looking professional. and you can get a tripod stand from Amazon for as little as 20 bucks. Yes, that’s right. 

If you want to feel like a mini-Steven Spielberg or James Cameron, there are more tripod options to choose from. There are bigger wheel tripods available if you want to shoot a full view reel. But for most of us, what we need is the tripod that we can use from the comfort of our home or that we can carry with us easily. Simply choose the one that best suits your budget and preference. 

Say hello to a ring light

Needless to say, lighting is very important when it comes to videos, and you want to make sure that your lighting is not the reason people quickly scroll to the next reel. The Golden Hour is a great place to start, but it will not always be possible to be outside for the morning or late afternoon hours and outside, especially during the winter. A ring light is therefore a must-have when it comes to shooting your reels.

You will find a diverse collection of tripod stands to choose from on Amazon for as little as $30. The most common ring lights are between 10 inches and 18 inches, with the former regarded as ‘selfie lights’. However, the larger the diameter, the better-you never know when you want to include your pet or friend on the recording. 

To achieve the best lighting when using a ring light, you should place the subject’s face at the center of the ring light. This will ensure that both sides of the face are well lit and are not too close or far from the soft boxes. Ring lights are essentially just like any other lighting in the household and thus pose no more safety or health risks than any other lighting would.

Look professional with a solid background

Using a solid background makes the production process more efficient and easier, which is a plus for most people who are just starting out and don’t have a lot of production experience.  A solid background will allow you to shoot from literally anywhere while still letting you pull off a video that would give any great production company a run for its money – well, if you can get the lighting and a few other details right. 

The greatest advantage of a solid background is that they offer you the freedom  to manipulate your background, giving you a blank canvas to get creative with the visual effects. in other words, a solid background color will let you manipulate it as you want. For example, you can cast yourself on a background of, say, the Amazon Forest or Mt. Everest and all that corny stuff movie creators do.

You can find a high-quality, non-reflecting surface that allows you to create smooth and even backgrounds on Amazon from $19 to $173, depending on what size and material you want. Generally, one for $45 or $60 will do just fine.