How to film yourself without a tripod
A tripod is handy, but you can get stable, well-framed shots with what is already in the room. The goal is the same: the phone at eye level, pointing straight at you, and not moving.
Stack and lean
A pile of books on a table gets the phone to eye height when you are sitting. Lean the phone against a mug or a heavy jar, and put a rubber band or hair tie around it for grip.
For standing shots, a shelf, a windowsill or the top of a wardrobe often lands at about the right height.
Wedge it
A half-open drawer holds a phone upright. So does a shoe, a sunglasses case or the gap between two thick books.
For overhead shots of a desk or a plate, put two piles of books either side of the table and lay a ruler or a broom handle across them, then tape the phone to it face down.
Avoid the classic failures
Phones slide slowly on smooth surfaces. Put something rubbery underneath, such as a phone case, a mouse mat or a silicone baking mat.
Check the whole frame, not just your face. Propped phones are often slightly tilted; line the horizon up with the grid before you start.
Start and stop without touching it
Use a Bluetooth earbud's play button, a smartwatch, voice control or the countdown timer in the camera app, so pressing record does not knock the phone.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get my phone to eye level without a tripod?
Stack books on a table when sitting, or use a shelf, windowsill or wardrobe top when standing. Lean the phone on a mug with a rubber band around it for grip.
How do I film overhead shots of a desk without a stand?
Put two piles of books on either side of the table, lay a ruler or broom handle across them, and tape the phone to it face down.
How can I start recording without knocking a propped phone?
Use a Bluetooth earbud's play button, a smartwatch, voice control or the camera app's countdown timer instead of tapping the screen.