How To Make DJI OSMO ACTION 4 Footage Look MORE CINEMATIC

Are you looking to make your DJI OSMO ACTION 4 footage look more cinematic? In this video, I explore this topic in-depth and equip you with the tools, concepts, settings, and grading knowledge that you'll need in order to achieve much better results with the Osmo Action 4.

Table of Contents:
0:00 - Introduction
0:35 - Let's define cinematic
1:04 - The purpose of this video
1:55 - Understanding the exposure triangle
3:23 - 180 degree shutter angle
4:00 - ND filters
5:13 - Gimbals
8:45 - If you don't want to use 180 degree shutter angle
9:15 - Why a static shutter speed?
10:23 - Settings to use on the Osmo Action 4
17:08 - Settings for slow motion
18:27 - Gyro data notes
18:56 - Minimum shutter speed for RockSteady to work properly
19:57 - Filming techniques
22:32 - Minimum focal distance note
23:14 - Grading D-Log M footage
24:17 - Grading steps on first clip
41: 59 - Grading second clip
47:16 - Grading third clip
54:44 - Closing thoughts

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CAMERA GEAR I USE:

MY FAVORITE GOPRO ACCESSORIES:

HIKING GEAR WE USE:

[Max-xcrw]

Amazing resource, so much information stuffed in it without any filler. Thanks!

[everton-off-road]

Bro tried to review some camera features and ended up giving us a photography masterclass.
Thank you very much, now I understand basic and very useful concepts!

[WatchingtheWorldBurning]

I watch a lot of channels on this subject. I also have an instructional channel on YT and I'm told I am good. You sir, are excellent. You do have a verbal tick. "What you're gonna wanna do here is..." You are forgiven! Excellent content.

[mohitbhardwaj]

Hello sir, Mohit here from India. A little off topic question here though. I am really confused between Ace pro and Action 4 and I am aware that you have done an extensive video to compare pocket 3, Hero 12, ace pro and action 4 (that's how I landed on this video). I unfortunately cant buy pocket 3 as I want waterproof capabilty otherwise I would have loved that. My question is on the minimum focal disctance of the Ace pro which hardly anyone is talking about and the subject even at 40-60 cms from the camera isnt in focus. Is that something that you have also noticed? The minimum focal distance on action 4 is way lower than the acepro but acepro is probably the latest "tech and features' wise today because of which I am considering a lot but dont want to end up making the wrong decision. I will be thankful if you can share your thoughts on this. My primary use will be camping/ landscape videos, night lapses, hyper lapses and nothing around sports acitivities.

[gregc]

I found this video to be an incredibly valuable resource packed with information that will help me improve my video and editing skills. So much information to absorb that I will be watching it over many times. I’m getting an Action 4 in the next couple of weeks so this will help me get off to an awesome start. Thank you!

[davidpoo]

I used a Action 4 my first time, the video at rimes looked rocky as if i was on a boat. Since it was my first time i used tne camera tne first time. What should i do next time i shoot? It seems for the cinematic mode in most cases you don't recommend rock steady😮. Please advise, i actually took notes from your video, also i don't jave a gimbal. Thx!

[木子-oo]

Thousand thanks, fruitful content, really valuable tips far beyond than other YouTubers.

[Drimi]

Thanks for this video, i seen a lot a OSMO 4 videos on the internet but all of those are oversharpened, overexposed footage and I thought the DJI camera is bad because in every Hero 12 vs Osmo 4 comparision i saw, always the GoPro has the better colors and a softer image, now i see, its just settings and user error.

[denis_polovynka]

Thanks, man! The best tutorial what I find.

[madhveshayn]

Great video! I just wanted to understand if any of the smartphone gimbals from companies like DJI works with action cameras? Will it work out the box or do we have to somehow make it work? If you can help me with an explanation it would very useful

[TheGunGuy]

EXCELLENT VIDEO! I needed this for my videos since I decided to just go with an Action 4 for my outdoor footage and keep things simple. I transcribed your settings, hope you don't mind:
a. 180 degree shutter rule
b. Rock Steady: OFF
c. Resolution: 4K/4.3
d. Frame Rate: 24
e. Exposure
i. Shutter Speed: 1/50 DO NOT TOUCH
ii. ISO: 100 AJUST AS NEEDED
iii. EV SHOULD BE BETWEEN -0.3 TO 0.3
iv. CHECK EXPOSURE BETWEEN SCENES
f. ND FILTERS
i. Cloudy: ND8
ii. Sun/Clouds: ND16
iii. Sunny: ND16 or ND32
g. White Balance: 5000K generally; 6500k sunrise/sunset
h. Color: D-LogM
i. FOV: Wide
j. Image Reduction:
i. Sharpness: -1
ii. Noise: 0
k. Distance to Subject: 3 feet or more

[vishnunandan]

Seeing your video meant a lot to me. I had intended to get my first camera. I'm a total beginner who wants to take cinematic videos.I consequently watched a lot of videos about this camera. This video outperforms all others by far. This video taught me a lot of things. I was concerned that maybe I wouldn't be able to fulfill my dreams. Your video has given me more confidence right now. Thank you a lot.

[radektyrlik]

Good day, could you please advise me on the settings for dji osmo action 4 for traveling and riding a motorcycle on light terrain, thank you

[DarrellHines]

Thank you!! appreciate the advice. I can’t afford the expensive gimble, would it be ok to use Rocksteady or Rocksteady + in low light, or would a cheaper gimble be better?

[Grandpa-Chris]

Hi there, thanks for sharing this video.
I’ve just invested in my first action 4, converted from GoPro,
I use my cameras mainly for fishing videos, living in the U.K. we suffer a lot of grey skies and windy days,
Which settings would you suggest in order to get the best results? I’m still a bit of a novice when it comes to video creation, I would love to be able to grow my channel, My action 4 hasn’t learned how to work me yet 😂😂😂
Thanks again Sir.
A new subscriber.

[Справедливыйгражданин]

Hello, friend! This camera is better than SJ Cam 11 Activ?

[forwardislight]

Do you have any recommendations for using the Osmo action 5 pro, five pro to create short cinematic style films?

Think A24 aesthetic, soft glow, warm nature, obviously afterwards I will be adding texture, overlay, grains, colour, grading, et cetera, but what can I do beforehand to achieve a cinematic look?

I guess not after it to look super wide (rare for action cam I guess)

[Doug-lqiw]

Thank You, great lesson on both the Action 4 and editing. Look forward to seeing more tips!

[arynbwr]

Going on a trip this June to a couple of national parks and this is a great video! Thank you so much for the information!
Why do you recommend the lower frame rate? (~24fps)

[woodcraft_cz]

Amazing video, very informative. it's actually the sole reason that tipped the balance for me to buy the action 4 and I love the colour grading towards the end of the video. I just had one point to note though, I think there is something up with your audio/mic? listening to you on headphones I hear a scratching type sound under your vocal, tried other videos to make sure its not on my end but wanted to point it out for future videos perhaps. going to hazard a guess that its your wireless mic in your pocket as iv done that and it introduced similar artefacts