As you know, in this second edition of the We Art Water Film Festival, we have a new category: Instagram. The challenge for the participants is to make a good short film which not only meets all the requirements, but also has a duration between 10 and 15 seconds. A few weeks ago, we published a first post regarding this category, in which we gave some basic tips for making better videos with Instagram. Below, we include some more advanced tips, so you can make an awesome short.

1. Exposure Adjustment

In order to adjust how light or dark you see a video, you have to tap on the screen when you are in shooting mode. If you touch the screen in a dark scene, you will see that the entire image gets lighter. If you touch it on a light scene, you will see that the entire image gets darker. Since exposure and focus go hand in hand, remember that the place where you touch is the part of the scene that will be in focus.

2. Lighting

If there is not enough light, the video will have too much grain. The better the scene is lit, the clearer, and more contrasted and vibrant it will be. In order to improve the lighting conditions, you could get closer to a window, or you could bounce the light off a white wall or reflector, or you could use an external lighting kit, specifically designed for mobiles, such as the Pocket Spotlight.

3. Optical effects

In conventional cameras, you can change the lens and get a different optical effect. You can now get the same effects with your phone, if you use mobile lenses, such as the Olloclip. A 'Fisheye' lens will allow you to get a 180-degree perspective. With a 'Macro' lens, you will see a lot of detail in the things that are very close to the camera. And with a 'Tele' lens, you will see much closer, things that are far away.

4. Extraordinary places

If you have an idea that happens at an amazing place, do not worry, you can shoot underwater or in the snow using waterproof cases, or you can rig the phone on your bike or your car, with a specific frame for it. The mobile gives you many options for this kind of adventures.

5. Camera movements

The camera movements are very cinematic. You can get a smooth pan in your mobile, if you use table dollies, and other similar devices.

The above are only a sample of the many advanced options you can use in your Instagram videos. Show us what you can do in a 15-second video! Remember that you may participate until midnight March 31, 2014. You may find all the information about the We Art Water Film Festival here.