Making a video in portrait mode involves either shooting your footage vertically from the start or converting existing landscape footage using video editing software.
Understanding Portrait Mode Video
Portrait mode video, also known as vertical video, is formatted with a height greater than its width. This orientation is ideal for mobile viewing on smartphones and popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Stories/Reels, and YouTube Shorts, where users typically hold their devices vertically.
Methods for Creating Portrait Video
There are two primary ways to create video in portrait orientation:
- Shooting Directly in Portrait Mode: The simplest method is to hold your camera or smartphone vertically while recording. This ensures the native footage is already in the correct aspect ratio (commonly 9:16) for portrait viewing.
- Converting Landscape Video: You can transform video originally shot horizontally (landscape, typically 16:9) into portrait mode using video editing software. This often involves cropping or adding filler to the sides of the landscape footage to fit the vertical frame.
Converting Landscape Video to Portrait Mode
Converting landscape video is a common practice, especially when you have existing horizontal footage you want to use for vertical platforms. Editing software allows you to change the project's aspect ratio and adjust the video within the new vertical frame.
According to parts of a video titled How to Convert Landscape Video to Portrait Mode | CapCut Tutorial, a common process involves selecting the video within an editor and making an adjustment. Specifically, the reference notes, "Video So tap on that You can see the video has been converted to the vertical. Video or the portrait mode." This suggests that within the software, there's an option you tap or select that automatically or semi-automatically reframes your landscape video into a vertical or portrait orientation.
Here's a general process often followed in video editing software:
- Import your landscape video: Add your horizontal footage to a new project.
- Change project settings/aspect ratio: Most editors allow you to set the project's dimensions. Change this from a landscape ratio (e.g., 16:9) to a portrait ratio (e.g., 9:16 or 1080x1920 pixels).
- Adjust the video within the vertical frame:
- Cropping: The software might automatically zoom in and crop the sides of your landscape video to fill the vertical frame. You will need to adjust which part of the horizontal frame is centered and visible in the portrait view.
- Adding Fillers: Alternatively, you can keep the full landscape video visible and add blurred copies of the video or solid colors to the blank space on the top and bottom to fill the vertical frame.
- Edit and Export: Once the framing is set, you can proceed with other edits (cutting, adding text, music, etc.) and then export the final video in the portrait aspect ratio.
| Step | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shoot Vertically | Hold your phone/camera vertically while recording. | Easiest method if starting from scratch. |
| Use Editing Software | Convert existing landscape video using a video editor (e.g., CapCut). | Necessary for repurposing horizontal content. |
| Set Project Ratio | Change editor project settings to a vertical aspect ratio (e.g., 9:16). | This creates the vertical canvas for your video. |
| Adjust Footage | Crop, zoom, or add fillers to fit landscape video into the portrait frame. | Requires careful framing to keep the main subject visible. |
| Export | Render the final video in the portrait orientation. | Ensures the video is ready for vertical platforms. |
Practical Tips for Portrait Video
- Consider the Subject: Ensure the primary subject or action is well-framed within the vertical window when shooting or converting.
- Stability: Use a steady hand or a vertical tripod mount when shooting to avoid shaky footage.
- Platform Requirements: Be aware of the specific aspect ratio requirements for the platform you intend to share on (e.g., 9:16 is standard for most).
By either shooting directly in portrait or converting existing landscape footage using editing tools and adjusting the frame, you can create videos optimized for vertical viewing.
