So I tried filming a video of me doing some WAM using a bunch of stuff I got from the store and while it felt good and pretty exhilarating, on camera it just looked terrible. Maybe I'm hypercritical or maybe I don't like seeing myself on camera but filming it is unlikely in the future.
So, respect to those who make the content because I likely won't be one of them.
I always encourage people to go to their favorite youtuber's channel, sort their videos by the oldest, and watch a few of their oldest videos. The awkwardness and lack of technical polish is inevitable and the point of learning things. It would be weird if you started shooting for the first time and it ended up great.
It's a hobby, of course, so you should only do it if you're passionate about it, but also don't be discouraged if you're finding yourself at the same point in the learning curve as everyone else with your experience level.
bosunbob said: I cringe when I look back at my early stuff. I think most producers do. Everything to do with making content is a learning curve.
The resolution may have improved, but that early stuff also remains brilliant and inspirational.
More generally for the OP's theme, as a non-producer who has to work with others' images and videos in the day job (NOT the odd dodgy personal image I have on here! ), while any good scene will always stand for itself, good lighting, good lighting and good lighting. Also, good lighting! Good luck!
Taking photos/videos of yourself is HARD. Unless you've got a lot of experience as a photographer, its bloody difficult to get consistent professional looking videos- there is a lot of knowledge and work which goes into setting up for a photoshoot; especially with getting the lighting correct. Correct framing and staying in shot is also bloody tricky without a photographer to keep things centred and focussed on the content you're making.
If you've never been the subject of a photoshoot or modelled before; this is a skill that takes practice too! Holding your pose and posture takes time to master.
Shooting a messy scene makes this even harder; protecting your kit from the mess, potentially shooting in a bathroom? (Bathrooms are AWFUL for shooting in- build a messy photostage in a room with more space and better lighting!!), and you lose the ability to re-take a photo due to the long reset time.
So yeah, you're totally right in once sense; mad props to those who can pull it off. It's proper difficult to produce a scene- even more so if you're soloing it. [Almost all of the stores/content on here are a team effort, with a second person working behind the scenes as photographer and/or a gofer to keep everything running smoothly].
Don't be disheartened; everyone starts out as noobs/greenhorns. Those who master it are the ones who are persistent at it, who keep practising, who keep looking to improve.
It's like falling off a bike. Sometimes getting back on is hard- but the only way to ride is to get back on. If this is something you want to do; then have fun doing it and enjoy the learning experience as well as the messy fun!
My wifie is the better of the picture/ video taker But unfortunately she's almost always the one getting messy and I'm taking the pics so they don't turn out well
Decent lighting makes a huge difference when filming, play around putting the lights in different positions and different distances to work out what looks best.
Then there's different temperature/colour lighting to experiment with and the white balance setting on whatever camera you're using.
Get all of that dialled in and your videos can start to look almost professional rather than like something amateur that's obviously been filmed on a phone.
The next trick is to remember exactly where you positioned the lights so you can replicate it.
Love you, too
), while any good scene will always stand for itself, good lighting, good lighting and good lighting. Also, good lighting! Good luck! 
