You set up your gimbal, hit record, and expect buttery-smooth footage. Instead, you get a shaky, awkward movement that feels anything but professional. The problem isn’t your gear—it’s how you’re using it.

Many creators assume a gimbal will fix everything, but without the right technique, even the best stabilizer won’t help. Poor walking form, sudden tilts, and bad balance lead to jittery shots.

The fix? Small adjustments in movement and control can turn shaky clips into fluid, cinematic shots. Here’s what you’ll get:

  • Step-by-step techniques for stable movement.
  • Fixes for common mistakes that ruin footage.
  • Pro tricks to create dynamic, polished shots.

If you want footage that looks professional, start by mastering your movements. Let’s get to it.

Setting Up for Success: Preparing Your Gimbal

A gimbal can only stabilize footage if it’s properly balanced and set up for movement. If the camera is off-center, the motors work harder, draining the battery and causing jerky motion. 

A balanced gimbal moves smoothly and gives you full control over your shots.

▶️ Balancing the Gimbal Properly

Why Proper Balancing Matters

An unbalanced gimbal fights against gravity. Motors overcompensate, leading to unwanted vibrations, battery drain, and overheating. Poor balance can also make the gimbal struggle to hold its position, affecting shot stability.

A well-balanced gimbal keeps the camera steady, reduces strain on the motors, and delivers consistent motion. Taking a few extra minutes to set it up correctly saves time and frustration later.

Step-by-Step Process to Balance Each Axis

Follow this sequence to balance your gimbal:

  1. Mount the Camera
    • Attach the camera before turning on the gimbal.
    • Add any accessories like filters or external mics first.
    • Use the same lens you plan to shoot with. Changing lenses later requires rebalancing.
  2. Balance the Tilt Axis (Up and Down Motion)
    • Tilt the camera forward and backward. If it drops in either direction, loosen the knob and adjust until it stays level.
    • Test by pointing the camera straight up and down. If it holds position, the tilt axis is balanced.
  3. Balance the Roll Axis (Side-to-Side Motion)
    • If the camera leans left or right, shift it slightly until it stays centered.
    • Lock the roll axis when balanced.
  4. Balance the Pan Axis (Left and Right Rotation)
    • Hold the gimbal handle at a 45-degree angle. If the camera swings, adjust the pan arm forward or backward.
    • When the camera stays still, the pan axis is balanced.
  5. Final Check
    • Move the camera in different directions. If it stays in place without resistance, you’re ready to power on the gimbal.

Common Balancing Mistakes and Fixes

  • Skipping Small Adjustments → Even a slight imbalance causes drift. Make precise micro-adjustments.
  • Powering On Before Balancing → Motors strain to correct imbalance, leading to battery drain. Always balance first.
  • Forgetting to Lock Axes While Adjusting → Moving one axis affects others. Lock each axis after balancing it.
  • Changing Lenses After Balancing → Different lens weights require recalibration. Balance again if you swap lenses.

▶️ Choosing the Right Gimbal Mode

Gimbals offer different modes for specific movements. Picking the right mode makes camera motion feel natural and controlled.

Common Gimbal Modes and When to Use Them

  1. Pan Follow Mode
    • The camera follows left and right movements while staying level.
    • Best for tracking subjects, panning landscapes, or following action.
  2. Lock Mode
    • Keeps the camera fixed in one direction, ignoring handle movements.
    • Ideal for interviews, timelapses, and shots that need absolute stability.
  3. POV Mode
    • Moves with your wrist in all directions for a more immersive feel.
    • Great for handheld, first-person perspective shots.
  4. Inception Mode
    • Spins the camera 360° for a twisting barrel-roll effect.
    • Used for creative transitions, music videos, and stylized motion.

Switch between modes based on your shot. If you’re filming a smooth tracking shot, Pan Follow works best. If you need locked-off framing, use Lock Mode. Knowing these options gives you more creative control.

▶️ Adjusting Settings for Smooth Performance

Once balanced and in the right mode, fine-tune the gimbal’s response. Default settings might not suit your shooting style, so customize them for better movement.

Fine-Tuning Motor Strength and Follow Speed

  • Motor Strength: Adjust based on your camera’s weight. Too much power makes movements jerky, while too little causes drift.
  • Follow Speed: Lower speed for slow cinematic motion, increase speed for fast action shots.
  • Deadband (Reaction Delay): Reduce for quick response, increase for smoother transitions.

Using Mobile Apps for Calibration and Firmware Updates

  • Calibration: Most gimbals have auto-calibration to reset balance. Run this if the gimbal drifts or feels off.
  • Firmware Updates: Check the app for updates. Manufacturers release patches to fix stability issues and improve performance.

A properly tuned gimbal moves naturally, responds smoothly, and delivers professional-looking footage. Take the time to balance, set modes correctly, and tweak settings to get the best results.

Core Gimbal Movements for Cinematic Shots

Mastering gimbal movements takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, your footage will stand out. 

Instead of letting the gimbal do all the work, focus on your movements. Small adjustments make a huge difference in the final shot.

✅ The Ninja Walk: How to Move Smoothly

A gimbal stabilizes your camera, but your body movement affects the final result. If you walk carelessly, every step sends vibrations into the gimbal, creating unwanted shakes.

  • Bend your knees slightly to absorb shocks. Think of a cat stalking its prey—silent, controlled, and fluid.
  • Walk heel-to-toe instead of stomping flat-footed. This prevents sudden jolts that can ruin the shot.
  • Keep your arms close to your body. Extending your arms too much makes it harder to control the gimbal’s movement.

Practice tip: Walk in a straight line while filming a subject. Record yourself and review the footage to spot any unwanted shakes.

✅ Panning & Tilting Like a Pro

Smooth pans and tilts make a video feel polished. Jerky movements break immersion and look amateurish.

  • Move slowly and intentionally. Quick adjustments create sudden jumps in movement. Let the gimbal guide the motion at a steady pace.
  • Use your whole body, not just your wrists. A controlled upper-body turn keeps the movement fluid.
  • Keep the horizon line level. If the camera tilts unintentionally, the shot may look off-balance.

Common mistake: Tilting too aggressively or adjusting the gimbal’s joystick mid-shot. Instead, set the tilt speed in the gimbal’s settings to match the desired effect.

✅ Orbiting & Tracking for Fluid Motion

Circling a subject (orbiting) or following their movement (tracking) adds depth to a shot. The trick is to maintain a steady distance while keeping the subject in frame.

  • For orbit shots, keep your subject centered while moving in a circular path. Maintain a consistent pace to avoid sudden speed changes.
  • For tracking shots, anticipate movement before it happens. If filming a person walking, start moving before they do to match their speed.
  • Use Lock Mode when tracking fast movement. This prevents the camera from making unnecessary adjustments as you follow the subject.

Pro tip: Combine orbiting with a slow tilt-up or tilt-down for a more cinematic feel.

✅ Push-ins & Pull-outs for Depth and Drama

Push-ins draw viewers into the scene, while pull-outs reveal more context. Both techniques create a sense of motion without needing fast camera movement.

  • Move at a steady pace. Rushing a push-in makes the shot feel abrupt, while an uneven pull-out can break immersion.
  • Use a wider lens for push-ins to exaggerate depth. A narrow field of view limits the sense of motion.
  • For dramatic effect, adjust focus during movement. A subtle focus shift adds depth and guides the viewer’s eye.

Test it out: Try a slow push-in on a person’s face for an emotional moment, or a pull-out from a scene to transition into a new location.

Advanced Techniques to Elevate Your Shots

Professional gimbal shots don’t just look good—they pull the audience into the story. To take your footage beyond basic stabilization, use these advanced techniques. 

These moves create depth, drama, and seamless transitions that make every shot more immersive.

▶️ Parallax Effect: Adding Depth with Movement

A static shot keeps the subject in place, but a parallax shot adds movement and depth. Move the gimbal in one direction while the subject moves in the opposite direction. 

This creates a layered effect where the background shifts independently from the foreground, mimicking a 3D look.

How to Do It:

  • Keep the subject centered while walking sideways.
  • Move the gimbal smoothly in the opposite direction of the subject’s movement.
  • Use slow, controlled motion to exaggerate depth.
  • Pick a background with distinct layers—trees, buildings, or long hallways work best.

Pro Tip:

Shoot at a lower frame rate (24fps) to keep motion natural. If you want a dreamier effect, try 60fps and slow it down in post-production.

▶️ Dolly Zoom (Vertigo Effect) for Cinematic Drama

The dolly zoom creates an unsettling, stretching effect by combining a forward or backward gimbal movement with an opposite zoom action. 

Alfred Hitchcock made this famous, but you don’t need a Hollywood budget to pull it off.

How to Do It:

  • Move the gimbal forward while zooming out, or move backward while zooming in.
  • Keep the subject centered as the background distorts.
  • Use a lens with a smooth zoom function (optical zoom works better than digital zoom).

Best Uses:

  • Horror, thriller, or dramatic moments.
  • Scenes where a character realizes something shocking.
  • Creating a surreal or dreamlike effect.

Pro Tip:

If your lens doesn’t have a smooth zoom, record in 4K and add a digital zoom effect in post-production.

▶️ Low-Angle & Underslung Mode for Unique Perspectives

Shooting from eye level gets predictable fast. Dropping the camera to ground level makes movement feel more intense. 

The underslung mode on your gimbal helps you capture these shots without straining your back.

How to Do It:

  • Flip the gimbal upside down (most gimbals have an underslung mode).
  • Keep the camera close to the ground for dramatic motion.
  • Follow a subject’s feet as they walk or run to create urgency.
  • Use it for tracking shots of cars, skateboards, or animals.

Best Uses:

  • Action sequences.
  • Sports and fast-moving subjects.
  • Adding power and dominance to a character.

Pro Tip:

Combine this with slow motion to make movement feel even more intense.

Hand-Off Transitions for Seamless Edits

Cutting between shots can feel jarring. A hand-off transition keeps movement fluid by passing the gimbal from one operator to another without breaking the shot.

How to Do It:

  • Start moving toward the second operator.
  • As you approach, smoothly transfer the gimbal while keeping the motion steady.
  • The second operator continues the shot without stopping.
  • Match the speed and movement to hide the transition.

Best Uses:

  • Following a subject through doorways or between rooms.
  • Switching perspectives without cutting.
  • Creating “one-take” scenes that look impossible.

Pro Tip:

Practice the hand-off multiple times before filming. If you don’t have a second operator, use a gimbal with an extended grip to simulate a hand-off.

Common Gimbal Mistakes & How to Fix Them

ProblemCausesFix
Shaky Footage Despite Using a Gimbal?– Poor balance setup
– Incorrect walking technique
– Gimbal settings too sensitive		– Rebalance all axes before shooting
– Walk with bent knees and take soft steps (Ninja Walk)
– Lower motor sensitivity to reduce overcorrection
Unwanted Gimbal Drift or Lag?– Calibration issues
– Incorrect follow speed settings		– Reset and recalibrate the gimbal using the app
– Adjust follow speed to match shooting style
Battery Drains Too Fast?– High-torque settings overworking motors
– Outdated firmware		– Use lower motor strength when possible
– Update firmware for better power management
– Carry extra batteries for longer shoots

▶️ – Related Topic: The Best Gimbals for GoPro Hero 8

▶️ – Related Topic: Glidecam vs Gimbal

▶️ – Related Topic: Types of Gimbals and Stabilizers

Conclusion: Take Your Gimbal Skills to the Next Level

You’ve got the gimbal, you know the basics, and now it’s time to put those techniques into action. 

The difference between shaky, amateur-looking footage and smooth, cinematic shots comes down to movement, control, and practice. 

If your shots still feel off, check your balance, slow down your movements, and use the right gimbal mode for the scene. Small adjustments can completely change how your footage looks.

Practice every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Start with the ninja walk to keep your steps steady, then experiment with different shots like push-ins, tracking, or orbiting around a subject. 

Watch your own footage closely and look for small issues—shaky hands, unnatural tilts, or inconsistent pacing—then make adjustments until everything flows smoothly. 

Accessories like counterweights, ND filters, and external monitors can also help you get better control and a cleaner final shot.

If you want to take your skills even further, focus on camera settings, framing, and post-production stabilization. 

Minor tweaks in editing can turn a good shot into a professional one. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep pushing your creativity. 

If you’re struggling with a specific technique or have a favorite gimbal trick, drop a comment and let’s figure it out together!