How to zoom in on a video for instagram


Instagram 101: How to Zoom In & Out in Instagram Stories « Smartphones :: Gadget Hacks

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Zooming in and out within Instagram Stories is a good way to take your videos to the next level. Whatever a next level is. Sometimes I just run out of words to describe how fun using Instagram is, so for today, I got "next level," which means whatever you want it to mean.

But, besides wasting time picking out the right word to describe how fun zooming is, it's also good to know that you can zoom in and out within Stories whether you are shooting in "Normal," "Boomerang," "Rewind," "Hands-Free," or even while recording a selfie filter.

Zooming in or out within a Boomerang can add some pretty funny results to your video. Also, zooming in on your augmented dog nose within a selfie filter is another fun thing to play around with.

In most cases, all it takes is a long-press, a quick swipe of your finger, and some control to do it. If y'all want to quickly learn how to do this, then skip to my video tutorial below where I show you how to zoom. If you'd rather read through the instructions, then let's get started.

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Method 1: Use Zoom in Normal Mode

To zoom in on a photo while in "Normal" mode, pinch the screen to either zoom in or out, then take the photo. If you'd like to zoom while recording a video in "Normal" mode, then long-press on the record button, and while still holding down, use the same finger to zoom in by sliding your finger up, or to zoom out, by sliding your finger down. Remember, if you take your finger off record in "Normal," it will stop recording.

Method 2: Use Zoom in Boomerang Mode

If you'd like to zoom within "Boomerang," then long-press on the record button, and while still pressing down, swipe your finger up or down to zoom in or out. Your Boomerang will automatically start recording the second you long-press.

Method 3: Use Zoom in Rewind Mode

If you want to create some pretty awesome rewind effects by zooming in and out while in "Rewind" mode, it's about the same as the first two methods. To start, long-press on the record button, and while still pressing down, swipe your finger up or down to zoom in or out. For "Rewind," the same goes as with "Normal" — if you take your finger off of the record button, then your video will stop recording.

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Method 4: Use Zoom in Hands-Free Mode

For zooming in "Hands-Free," you have two options. First, you can use the pinch-to-zoom gesture before tapping the record button to zoom in on the spot where you want your video to start. For instance, if you want to start your video on a closeup of someone's face, then this is how you would do it.

Once your frame is positioned, press the record button, then Instagram Stories will show a quick "3-2-1" countdown and automatically start recording from where you are zoomed.

If you'd rather start your video from the default zoom level and then zoom in at a later point, it's even easier. Start by pressing record, then let go (remember, it's Hands-Free mode, after all). Whenever you are ready to zoom, long-press on the record button and swipe your finger up or down.

Method 5: Zoom In or Out of Your Selfie Filters

Lastly, if you want to zoom in and out on your own very adorable dog ears, it's really simple. Choose whichever medium you'd like to shoot in — "Normal," "Hands-Free," "Boomerang," or anything else. Once you are ready, long-press on record, and while still pressing down, swipe up or down.

Check out my video tutorial below where I demonstrate how to zoom in and out within Instagram Stories.

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You can also zoom in and out at whatever speed works for your content to customize it and make it unique. Although, if you are concerned about the quality of your Stories, then zooming may reduce the resolution of your video and make it shakier. Either way, zooming in and out within Stories is still a fun thing to play around with, and you know, take your content to the next level, of course.

Follow me on Instagram @b3t.tina to see how I'm currently using these tips and tricks on my own profile page.

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How to Zoom in/Out in Instagram Stories[2021]

Shanoon Cox

Sep 01, 2022• Proven solutions

Being an avid Instagram user, one needs to know the best tricks to create attractive and funny photos and videos. Learning how to zoom in Instagram Stories will add so much drama and oomph to your boring and not so appealing videos.

Boomerang is not the only sensational feature from Instagram. The 'Superzoom' camera format for Instagram Stories is creating more weaves nowadays. You can zoom in on the videos with interesting sound effects, without much effort. All you have to do is tap the record button for 3-seconds or longer and you are done.

Here, in this article, we are going to introduce various methods of zooming in/out on Instagram Stories. Stay tuned to know.

  • Part 1: 4 Ways to Zoom in/out on Instagram Stories
  • Part 2: Edit Instagram Videos with Excellent Video Editor

How to zoom in/out in Instagram Stories

1. Normal Mode:

You can zoom in/out while clicking a picture for Instagram Stories, by pinching the screen in 'Normal' mode. For recording an Insta Story video in zoom in/out mode, press the record button and slide the same finger up/down to zoom in/out.

Image resource: later.com

Note: Make sure to hold your finger on the record button while zooming in/out, else the recording will stop.

2. Rewind Mode

Image resource: techjunkie.com

We know a video in 'Rewind' mode is pretty cute and funny, as the chain of events occurs in the reverse order. So, to zoom in/out while shooting one such video in 'Rewind' mode, you need to press the record button and then swipe up/down your finger, just like in the 'Normal' mode. Here also, if you remove your finger, the recording will stop. Master how to zoom in Instagram Stories, while recording in 'Rewind' mode.

3. Boomerang

Image resource: metro.com

Shooting a video in 'Boomerang' is exciting while creating Instagram Stories. We will explain to you how to zoom in/out Instagram Stories in 'Superzoom' mode in Boomerang. Press your record button longer and slide your finger up/down to zoom in/out, while recording the video for your Insta Stories. As long as you hold the button, the recording continues until it reaches the maximum duration.

4. Hands-Free Mode

Image resource: later.com

There are two-options while you want to zoom in/out using the 'Hands-Free' mode. You can pinch the screen and zoom in or out prior to recording the video. Now, tap the record button, the video will be automatically recorded after a few seconds. Remember! You are using the 'Hands-Free' mode, so no holding the record button. The second method is similar to the previous methods of zooming in/out videos for Instagram Stories. Tap the record button and wait till the point where you want to zoom in/out. At that very point, hold the record button and slide your finger up/down to zoom in/out the video. This is how to zoom in/out Instagram Stories using 'Hands-Free' mode.

Be it a 'Boomerang', 'Rewind', 'Hands-Free', or 'Normal' mode video, learning how to zoom in Instagram Stories is sure to make your stories cool and funky.

Edit Instagram Videos with Wondershare Filmora

Editing Instagram videos is not difficult at all as long as you installed a powerful yet easy-to-use video editing tool. Luckily, Wondershare Filmora is one of them because you can custom your videos with Filmora according to your needs even if you didn't take any training.

Final Verdict

We know that you have got a fair idea about using the various Instagram filters to create the most happening Instagram Stories and put your friends in awe. We are sure that the methods mentioned above have made you learn capturing videos in zoom in a quick and easy way. But, it's up to you to decide the best speed while capturing and customizing the video content to make it stand out.

Understanding not only how to zoom in Instagram Stories, but also knowing how to edit it with the right background music will make them more appealing. You need to be a little careful while shooting videos in zoom as the video resolution gets affected and turns shaky. Never mind, beyond all the little restraints, Instagram Stories are the coolest stuff to experiment with, while you curate interesting videos.


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Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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How to set the optimal video size for Instagram on a computer

If you shoot Instagram videos with a digital camera instead of a smartphone, you will most likely need to edit them on your computer before posting. And if you need to save the same file in several formats - for example, for the feed and for stories - cropping can take a lot of time.

To make it easier, we've prepared detailed instructions on what Instagram video sizes are considered optimal, how different aspect ratios look in the feed, and how to quickly save an Instagram video in the correct size and format.

We use VSDC as the editing program. It is a free video editor for Windows that is suitable for both simple operations such as trimming and adding audio, as well as for more complex tasks such as creating a picture-in-picture effect, color correction, and working with sound.

Looking for a convenient and free video editor for PC?

Download VSDC

VSDC has special video export profiles for Instagram and other social networks in the required size. This means that you can automatically apply the optimal settings for each social platform, and adjust them if necessary.

We will show how this works in detail below. But first, let's talk about the optimal video size for Instagram.

How big should a video be to post on Instagram?

The answer to this question depends on what type of post you are planning. Currently, you can post on Instagram:

  • Video post in the feed (minimum 3 seconds; maximum 1 minute)
  • Stories (minimum 1 second; maximum 15 seconds)
  • IGTV (minimum 15 seconds; maximum 10 minutes)

The general requirements for any video on Instagram are as follows: MP4 format, H.264 codec, 30 frames per second - maximum frequency, resolution - 1080 pixels wide. Lower quality videos - 600 pixels wide - are allowed, however, you should understand that on a visual platform like Instagram, you should always strive for maximum image quality.

Let's move on to the aspect ratio of the video for Instagram. Here you have several options.

If your video for is a regular post in feed , you can choose any aspect ratio between 1.91:1 (horizontal video) and 4:5 (portrait/vertical mode). Naturally, if your goal is to draw attention to the publication as much as possible, we advise you to choose the second option, because it takes up much more space on the smartphone screen. The recommended settings for vertical video on Instagram are 1080 x 1350 and 864 x 1080 pixels. However, if you shot the original video in a non-portrait mode, it will be difficult to apply the optimal aspect ratio. In such cases, it is worth using square videos with a standard 1:1 ratio. The optimal resolution here would be 1080 x 1080 pixels.

The best video resolution for Instagram Stories is 1080 x 1920 pixels. And, of course, for maximum organicity, shoot video initially in portrait mode.

Finally, if you're editing a video for IGTV , you can save both a 9:16 vertical video and a 16:9 horizontal video. It is worth remembering that when an IGTV video is viewed in the feed, it is loaded in portrait mode, so it is again recommended to shoot vertically for optimal results.

How to save the video in the optimal size for Instagram

After you have finished editing, you can save the video in the desired format and size as follows:

  1. Go to the "Export project" tab.
  2. In the top menu on the left, select "Internet" and "For Instagram".
  3. Go to profile settings at the bottom. Using the dropdown menu, specify the width of the video: 600px, 1080px, or 1080px (Full HD).
  4. Then select the video orientation from the menu to the right: square, vertical or landscape.
  5. In the upper left corner of the preview window, select the "Fit video to the selected resolution" option, if necessary.
  6. Finally, use the Export Video button to save the video to your computer.

To change any of the video parameters - width, height or frame rate - use the "Change profile" option, this button is located below the preview window. If you need to create and save your own video export profile, see this guide.

How to quickly split a video for sharing on Instagram

If your video is longer than allowed, you can quickly split it into parts and post sequentially to the carousel or stories. The easiest way to do this is with cropping markers:

  1. Still in the same "Video Export" tab, go to the upper right corner and use the "Set Markers" button.
  2. In the new window, use the cursor and the "Add Marker" button to mark the video split points.
  3. Click on the "Apply changes" button in the lower right corner.
  4. Now open the "Advanced Options" tab in the menu under the export profile settings.
  5. Uncheck the "Combine scenes into one" option and select the "Split file by markers" option.
  6. Export the project. The video will be saved to your computer as multiple files - as indicated by the markers.

General guidelines for posting videos on Instagram

Saving videos in the optimal size for Instagram is not difficult if you use a program with preset export options. Maintaining maximum quality, however, can be more difficult. We recommend that you try the following tips:

  • Make sure the video is saved in MP4 format. If necessary, you can change the format using a video converter.
  • Remember that Instagram can compress images, so it is very important to shoot in the highest quality initially. This includes correct camera settings, saving the video in maximum resolution, and transferring the file from your computer to your phone without losing quality (for these purposes, it is best to use file storages such as Dropbox).
  • Use subtitles where appropriate. Most people browse their Instagram feed without sound. So if your message doesn't make sense without audio, don't forget to prepare the text and add it to the video.
  • Finally, we recommend using social media content management applications such as Buffer or Hootsuite. They will allow you not only to save time on publishing, but also to download content directly from the desktop.

Questions about video size settings for Instagram? Write to us on the Facebook page or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


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How to zoom in/zoom out in Instagram Stories (2023)

Maria Matveeva

Proven solutions

Being an avid Instagram user, a person should know the best tricks to create attractive and funny photos and videos. Learning how to zoom in on Instagram Stories will add so much drama and umf to your boring and not very attractive videos.

Boomerang isn't Instagram's only sensational feature. The "Superzoom" camera format for Instagram Stories is currently creating more and more interweaving. You can zoom video with interesting sound effects effortlessly. All you have to do is press the record button for 3 seconds or longer and you are done.

Here in this article, we are going to introduce different methods to zoom in/zoom out in Instagram Stories. Stay tuned to know.

  • Part 1: 4 ways to zoom in/out on Instagram Stories
  • Part 2: Edit Instagram Videos with Excellent Video Editor

How to zoom in/zoom out in Instagram Stories

1. Normal Mode:

You can zoom in/zoom out an image by clicking it for Instagram Stories by pinching the screen in "normal" mode. To record an Insta Story video in zoom in/out mode, press the record button and swipe up/down with the same finger to zoom in/out.

Image resource: later.com

Note: Be sure to keep your finger on the record button while zooming in/out, otherwise recording will stop.

2.
Rewind Mode

Image Source: techjunkie.com

We know the video in Rewind mode is pretty cute and funny because the chain of events happens in reverse. So, to zoom in/zoom out while shooting one such video in "Rewind" mode, you need to press the record button and then swipe up/down, just like in "normal" mode. Here too, if you remove your finger, the recording will stop. Wizard on how to zoom in on Instagram Stories while recording in Rewind mode.

3. Boomerang

Image Source: metro.com

Shooting videos in Boomerang is an exciting experience when creating Instagram stories. We will explain you how to zoom in/zoom out Instagram Stories in "Superzoom" mode in Boomerang. Long press the record button and swipe up/down to zoom in/zoom out while recording videos for your Insta stories. As long as you hold the button, the recording continues until it reaches the maximum length.

4. Hands-free mode

Image resource: later. com

There are two options when you want to zoom in/out using hands-free mode. You can pinch the screen and zoom in or out before recording video. Now press the record button, the video will be automatically recorded in a few seconds. Remember! You are using hands-free mode, so do not hold down the record button. The second method is similar to the previous video zoom in/out methods for Instagram Stories. Press the record button and wait for the point where you want to zoom in/out. At this very moment, hold down the record button and swipe up/down to zoom in/zoom out the video. Here's how to zoom in/zoom out Instagram Stories using hands-free mode.

Whether it's boomerang, rewind, speakerphone or normal video, learning how to zoom in on Instagram Stories is sure to make your stories cool and funky.

Edit Instagram videos with Wondershare Filmora

Editing Instagram videos is not difficult at all once you have installed a powerful yet easy-to-use video editing tool. Luckily, Wondershare Filmora is one of them because you can customize your videos with Filmora to suit your needs even if you haven't taken any training.

Final Verdict

We Instagram Instagram Stories we know you have a fair idea about using various Instagram filters to create the most popular Instagram stories and leave your friends in awe. We are confident that the methods mentioned above have helped you learn how to capture zoom video quickly and easily. But it's up to you to decide what speed is best for capturing and tweaking video content to make it stand out.

Understanding not only how to zoom in on Instagram Stories, but also how to edit them with the right background music will make them more engaging. You need to be a little careful when shooting video in zoom as the video resolution is affected and becomes wobbly.


Learn more