5 Instant Tips to Improve Your Videos (No Extra Gear Needed)

• Window light beats studio lights for run-and-gun: shoot close to windows for even lighting that's easier to color grade, avoid dark corners that create muddy, grainy footage
• Sound design is layered immersion: match music to footage tone, edit to the beat, then add ambient effects (egg cracks, typing, shuffling) for the "full experience"
• Know your editing software before you shoot: plan transitions and effects ahead of time so you capture the right clips (pan up/down for wipes, static frames for masking)
• Motion makes mundane subjects cinematic: static tripod shots feel like "looking in from outside"—moving camera invites viewers into the atmosphere
• Clean your background and shoot during golden hour: remove desk clutter, avoid harsh midday sun, use early morning/evening for soft light and better colors

McKinnon's thesis is that video quality is fundamentally about technique, not equipment. He demonstrates this through five principles that beginners consistently overlook in favor of gear purchases. The most actionable insight is his window light framework: shooting close to a window provides even, soft illumination that's easier to color grade and reduces grain, while moving away from the window in the same room creates muddy, difficult-to-grade footage. This single awareness costs nothing but dramatically impacts perceived quality.

His sound design approach is layered: first match music to footage tone (no gangster rap over baby videos), then edit cuts to musical beats, finally add ambient sound effects (typing, shuffling, cracking) to create full immersion. He demonstrates this with a side-by-side comparison using a shotgun mic versus camera audio—the richer sound makes mundane tasks feel more engaging. For editing software, he argues that knowing your tools before shooting lets you plan shots strategically: if you know how to mask transitions, you'll shoot the necessary pan-up/pan-down clips; if you understand digital zoom, you can fake slider moves in post.

The motion principle addresses a common beginner mistake: static tripod shots that feel like "looking in from outside" rather than experiencing the scene. Even mundane subjects become cinematic with camera movement because motion signals intentionality and effort. Finally, his location advice is practical: clean clutter from backgrounds (move boxes behind camera), avoid harsh midday sun, shoot during golden hour for soft light and vibrant colors. The underlying framework is that small awareness shifts—where you stand relative to a window, what time of day you shoot—compound into professional-looking results without any gear investment.