We just released our new in-app editor, an easy-to-use feature that combines five editing essentials into one powerful tool. But no matter how easy someone makes it, new tools and processes can be hard to understand. Add to that the complexities and general overwhelm of editing, and of course this new feature is a little confusing.
But don’t worry; we’re sharing our expertise with you. Every week, we’ll take a deep dive into our new editing tools, from crop to voiceover and literally everything in between. We’ll tell you how to use a feature, why you should, and even give you examples of fun ways to work it into your content.
And in this first installment, we’re going super basic. Let’s talk about cropping.
What is the Crop Tool? 🤔
Crop is one of the most basic, easy-to-understand editing tools out there. You use it to adjust the size of your video or to zoom in/out. Got something off to the side you don’t want the audience to see? Crop can help you out.
Let’s look at the video below as an example. The creator wants to focus on their drink…but a lot is going on in this shot. Crop fixes it easily.
How to Use the Crop Tool ✂️
If you’ve ever edited a picture, you know how to crop a video. In fact, most people already know how to crop before they start editing!
- Open the Clapper app and tap the button in the middle of the menu along the bottom.
- Select “video”; either record up to 10 minutes of video in app, or upload your clips.
- Finished recording? Tap the orange “Next” button in the right corner.
- Tap the “Adjust” button on the right side of your screen.
- Tap the clip you want to edit (you may need to split it), then “Crop”, the little square button.
- Now adjust the size of your video. Put two fingers together and “pull” the picture closer to zoom in.
- Choose from the pre-set options along the bottom to alter the sizing. Your video doesn’t have to be the same size as the screen…but we recommend you do!
- When you’re happy, tap the check to the right.
- Make any other edits you want, then tap “Save” in the top right corner, then the orange “Next” button.
- Add a description, hashtags, and some final touches, then post.
Again, if you’ve ever resized a photo, you’re basically a crop tool expert.
Why You’d Use Crop 🌟
There are a number of reasons why creators might want to crop a video. The main ones are:
- Sizing. Sometimes your video is too large for the frame. Crop lets you trim it down so the main focus is…well, the main focus.
- Effect. Crop lets you easily zoom in on a specific moment, either for dramatic flair or to show the audience something they might not otherwise see.
Let’s break those down a little further!
Sizing 📏
The ratios for different short-form platforms can be different, meaning a full-size video in your photos might not be large enough for Clapper. If that’s the case, crop lets you refit it. Or, if the focus of your video seems much further from the camera than you remember, you can bring it closer.
This is pretty straightforward – and you’ve probably done it at least once or twice. We won’t spend much more time here.
Effect 🤯
Zooming in for effect, while relatively easy, is something a lot of creators forget about. It’s a great way to add a litte extra humor to your videos…usually at an awkward or unexpected moment. If it could be edited out as a blooper, it’s a great moment to crop in. Or, if you want to make sure the audience hears or sees an important moment, crop is perfect.
Let’s look at an example below. This is a longer video, but the creator crops their video in several times. You can see it first used at the 0:08-0:10 second mark. (And, if you watch the whole thing, you’ll also get a review and unboxing of Barnes and Noble’s Book Advent Calendar. Two birds, one stone.)
It’s an easy edit that can add some extra oomph to your videos. Be careful not to overuse it, so it still has impact.
Crop, Not Zoom 👓
It’s important to note that zooming in and cropping aren’t the same. A zoom is a slow pan in or out, but a crop will be much more abrupt. A slow zoom can be done while you’re filming, but a crop is after!
Congrats: you’ve mastered cropping your videos, and it only took you a few tries! Seriously, it’s that easy to add a little flair to your videos and help hold your audience’s attention. Next week, we’ll tackle something just as easy that adds even more visual appeal to your videos
Overlay. Get a sneak peek in this article, talking about the whole editing feature.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by your new editing options, we’ve got you covered. Follow @ClapperAcademy for editing tutorials. And come back to the blog each Wednesday! We’ll be deep diving into each feature, covering how to use it, why you should test it out, and how to use it in your content.
