How To Make Explainer Videos That Transform Your Photography Instruction

Every time we want to learn something new, we turn to various sources of information, such as books, articles, or videos. The latter stays the most popular way of obtaining knowledge since it is visually engaging, easy to understand and remember. Moreover, videos are often used as a marketing promotion tool, which has led to the rise of explainer videos.

Learning the principles of photography requires not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills, and explainer videos can be a valuable resource for that.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can leverage these videos to transform your photography instruction and elevate your skills.

Why Explainer Videos Are a Game Changer for Photography Instruction

Explainer videos are short, concise and visually appealing videos that aim to explain a particular topic or concept. They are used for various purposes, including product demonstrations and tutorials.

But why should you integrate explainer videos into your photography teaching?

1. Simplifying Complex Photography Techniques

Photography is full of complicated techniques, from mastering manual camera settings to understanding lighting ratios. Words alone often aren’t enough to explain how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together, but a video explicative can show the exact process. 

Explainer videos visually demonstrate these techniques in action, breaking down complicated ideas into easy-to-follow steps.

• Visual learners benefit greatly: Many photography students learn best by seeing, rather than just reading or listening. Videos provide a way for these students to absorb information more effectively.
  
• Interactive content is more engaging: The use of images, diagrams, and animations turns what could be a boring lecture into an engaging, dynamic lesson.

2. Increasing Student Engagement

Let’s face it, photography concepts can sometimes be dry or difficult to follow. By using explainer videos, you can transform these concepts into engaging, visually stimulating content that holds your students’ attention longer.

Incorporating humor, music, or eye-catching animated sequences keeps the viewer interested. 

3. Providing Visual Examples

Words can describe how to achieve the perfect lighting for a portrait, but nothing beats showing it in action. You can visually present how a three-point lighting setup works or show real-time examples of post-processing techniques in a specific program.

Additionally, including screen recordings can be incredibly useful when explaining technical aspects of photography. Using the best screen recorder, you can capture your screen and demonstrate how to edit photos, use certain camera settings, or simply navigate through software.

4. Reusability and Scalability

Once you create an explainer video, it can be used again and again, so you save time and effort eventually. The videos can be shared on YouTube, your personal website, or included in online photography courses.

For professional photographers who are also instructors, explainer videos allow for an organized, systematic way to teach—creating a custom curriculum that reaches students worldwide.

How to Make an Explainer Video for Your Photography Lessons

Creating explainer videos for photography lessons requires more than just knowing the basics; it involves thinking creatively about how to present your material in a way that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Here’s how to elevate your explainer video from standard to extraordinary:

1. Understand the Learning Gaps

Consider the specific pain points in your audience. For example, is it difficult for them to grasp depth of field because they don’t understand the concept of aperture? Are they struggling with white balance, as they don’t know the impact it has on their photos?

• Survey your audience: Use your social media, email lists, or even a YouTube comment section to ask what photography concepts they find most challenging.
   
• Break down common mistakes: If you’re focusing on a topic like photo editing, show the before-and-after of common errors, such as overexposing or over-saturating an image, and how to resolve these problems.

2. Create a Storyboard, Not Just a Script

Rather than focusing solely on the script, create a storyboard. Photography is a visual medium and your explainer video should reflect that. A storyboard helps you organize how the visuals will align with your narrative. 

• Plot visual cues: Map out when and where visuals will appear in your video. For example, if you’re discussing the impact of shutter speed on motion blur, sketch out a sequence where the camera captures a moving subject at various speeds.
  
• Use diverse shots: Avoid keeping the camera static the entire time. Add motion by varying your camera angles or incorporating smooth transitions. 

3. Leverage Real-Life Case Studies or Photoshoots

To make your video stand out, include real-life case studies from your photography projects. Show how you applied a particular technique to achieve specific results. 

Teaching about natural light portrait photography, film yourself on location, explaining how the positioning in relation to the sun influences the outcome. Introduce the problem (e.g., harsh midday sun) and walk through how you solve it.

Enhance your case studies with visually appealing edits using free After Effects plugins to give your tutorials a professional touch, adding animations or transitions that make the content more engaging.

4. Add Interactive Elements

Make your explainer video more engaging by incorporating interactive elements. These can be quizzes, polls, or clickable links that pop up during the video, guiding viewers to additional resources like blog posts or related videos.

• Time-stamped guides: Break down your video into segments with a clickable timeline. For instance, if you’re covering both portrait and landscape photography in the same video, allow viewers to jump to the part they’re more interested in.
  
• Interactive screen recordings: If you’re demonstrating digital products, offer the option for viewers to pause the video and try the steps themselves. You can do this through a custom video player, or even offer downloadable practice files that mirror the project you’re working on in the explainer video.

5. Optimize for Cross-Platform Publishing

While YouTube might be your primary platform, consider repurposing your videos across different mediums. Vertical formats are more suited for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, while landscape or square videos work better on YouTube or a business website.

Create teaser clips from your main video to build anticipation on social media. Use these snippets to highlight key learning moments, driving viewers to watch the full-length version on your main platform.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has shown you the value of explainer videos for photography lessons.

They simplify complex concepts, enhance engagement, and offer visual examples. By learning how to make an explainer video, you can provide your students with high-quality, informational content that enhances their learning experience.