How do you avoid shaky footage when walking or running with a gimbal?

1 Choose the right gimbal

The first step is to choose a gimbal that suits your camera and your shooting style. Different gimbals have different weight capacities, battery life, features, and modes. You want a gimbal that can handle your camera's weight and size, as well as offer you the flexibility and control you need. For example, some gimbals have a lock mode that keeps the camera fixed in one direction, while others have a follow mode that tracks your movements. Depending on what kind of shots you want, you may prefer one mode over another.

2 Balance your gimbal

The next step is to balance your gimbal before you start shooting. Balancing your gimbal means adjusting the position and angle of your camera on the gimbal so that it stays level and doesn't tilt or rotate when you turn the gimbal off. This will ensure that your gimbal doesn't have to work too hard to stabilize your camera, and that your footage doesn't suffer from motor noise or vibrations. To balance your gimbal, follow the instructions that come with your device, and check that your camera doesn't move when you hold the gimbal in different orientations.

3 Hold your gimbal properly

The third step is to hold your gimbal properly when you're walking or running with it. Holding your gimbal properly means using a comfortable and stable grip, keeping your elbows close to your body, and avoiding sudden or jerky movements. You also want to avoid touching the gimbal's motors or joints, as this can interfere with its performance and cause noise or shakiness. Some gimbals have a handle or a tripod that you can attach to the bottom, which can help you with holding and maneuvering your gimbal.

6 Review your footage

The final step is to review your footage after you finish shooting. Reviewing your footage means checking for any shakiness, blur, noise, or distortion in your video, and identifying what caused them and how to fix them. You may also want to compare your footage with other examples of gimbal shots, and see what you can learn from them. By reviewing your footage, you can evaluate your performance, spot your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your skills for the next time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?