Can I shoot a 360 video with my phone?

Yes—recent smartphones offer 4K and manual exposure. Use a phone clamp and ensure the device is perfectly centred above the turntable.

Is a motorised turntable mandatory?

Hand-panning introduces jitter. A motorised base under 200 EUR pays for itself in perceived production value.

Directories often autoplay muted. Add royalty-free ambience, but ensure the core loop works silently.

How big should the final file be?

Aim under 80 MB for web listings; anything heavier risks slow loading and lower SEO scores.

Sculptor 360-view videos: equipment list and editing tips for immersive reveals

Ready to make collectors, curators and recruiters feel like they can walk around your latest piece from their sofa? This guide details the affordable gear and pro-level editing workflow you need to shoot irresistible 360-view videos that showcase every curve, texture and patina of your sculpture.

Why 360-view videos boost commissions

Bronze sculpture on turntable with LED lighting for 360 video

Static photos rarely convey volume. A smooth, continuous 360 shot instantly communicates scale, craftsmanship and finish. Platforms such as the new craft designer portfolios feed reward immersive assets with longer on-page time, which translates into stronger ranking and conversion. Internal tests by leading galleries show dwell times rising by 43 % when a spin video replaces a single hero image.

Your essential equipment shortlist

Gear	Why you need it	Entry-level cost (EUR)
4K mirrorless camera / smartphone with manual mode	High resolution ensures crisp zooms on texture	450–900
Motorised turntable (min. 15 kg load)	Delivers smooth, consistent rotation	120–250
Three-point LED lighting kit (CRI ≥ 95)	Eliminates harsh shadows and colour cast	200–400
C-stand or overhead boom arm	Keeps camera perfectly centred above axis	80–160
Grey card & colour checker	Locks accurate white balance for editing	25–40
Backdrop sweep (neutral mid-grey)	Ensures auto-exposure doesn't hunt	35–60

Optional upgrades to level-up production

Macro rail for tiny bronze maquettes.
Polarising filter to tame glossy resin reflections.
360 multicam rig if you plan interactive VR spins later.

Studio set-up in five actionable steps

Position the turntable 1 m from the back wall to avoid hard shadows.
Mount the camera on the boom arm so the lens aligns with sculpture mid-height.
Arrange key, fill and back lights at 45°, 90° and 135° angles, each one stop lower than the previous to sculpt form without clipping.
Place a grey card on the turntable, set custom white balance, then replace it with the artwork.
Mark the rotation start point with tape so you can match seamlessly in post.

Capture settings that impress curators

Resolution : 3840 × 2160 px minimum.
Frame rate : 30 fps keeps file size light while maintaining fluency.
Shutter speed : 1/60 s to avoid flicker with LED lights.
Aperture : f/8 gives depth-of-field without diffraction.
ISO : ≤ 200 to preserve shadow detail.
Turntable speed : One full rotation in 20–30 s hits the sweet spot for social autoplay.

Editing workflow: from raw footage to immersive loop

1. Ingest & organise

Label clips by piece title and take number in your NLE. Add markers at 0° and 360° so the loop can start anywhere.

2. Basic corrections

Apply LUT or manual colour grade using your grey card reference.
Remove sensor dust with automated masking tools.
Stabilise minor bumps with Warp Stabiliser at ≤ 5 %.

3. Loop-seam trick

Cut on identical frame positions (use onion-skin overlays) and add a one-frame cross-fade. Viewers won't detect the splice.

4. Add interactive finesse

Overlay tap-to-zoom hotspots or annotation layers that reveal material notes. See how AR mock-ups use similar cues to drive approvals.

5. Export presets

Deliver two versions:

Web directory: H.264, 2160p, 15 Mbps, AAC 128 kbps audio mute.
Social loop: H.265, 1080p square, 8 Mbps, 15 s hard loop.

Optimise for reach

Name the file “artist-name_sculpture-title_360-view.mp4”. Include closed captions describing the piece for accessibility. When publishing, embed alongside a detailed project breakdown—borrow cues from our portfolio audit checklists (article available soon) to keep curators engaged twice as long.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Over-speed rotation Results in motion blur; slow down or raise shutter speed.
Pulsing exposure Shoot in manual and disable auto ISO.
Mismatched lighting temperature Stick to one LED brand or gel everything to 5600 K.
Heavy background textures Distract from surface detail; use solid sweeps.

Real-world case study

Ceramic artist analysing engagement charts for 360 spin video

Paris-based ceramicist Lara Védrine replaced static jpegs with 360 spins during her spring launch. Watch time on her terra sigillata series tripled, newsletter sign-ups doubled and a public art consultant booked a site visit within 48 hours. She later paired the approach with drone flyovers to reveal scale for outdoor installations.

Ready to roll? Quick checklist before you press record

Batteries at 100 % and dual-slot recording activated.
Lens cloth and air blower within arm's reach.
Spare turntable fuse taped under the base.
Sound meter app open—LED fans can creep into audio on certain cameras.

Mini Quiz: Are your 360 videos studio-proof?

FAQ

Can I shoot a 360 video with my phone?: Yes—recent smartphones offer 4K and manual exposure. Use a phone clamp and ensure the device is perfectly centred above the turntable.
Is a motorised turntable mandatory?: Hand-panning introduces jitter. A motorised base under 200 EUR pays for itself in perceived production value.
Should I add music?: Directories often autoplay muted. Add royalty-free ambience, but ensure the core loop works silently.
How big should the final file be?: Aim under 80 MB for web listings; anything heavier risks slow loading and lower SEO scores.

Take action

Gather the above gear, block one studio afternoon, and film your signature piece. Upload the loop to your portfolio tonight—your next recruiter could be the very first viewer.