We have been learning lots about how to use the camera, looking at different shot types, movement & framing and composition.
Basic Camera Shots:
Extreme Wide Shot
Very Wide Shot
Wide Shot
Mid Shot
Medium Close Up
Close Up
Extreme Close Up
Cutaway
Cut-In
Two-Shot
Over-The-Shoulder-Shot
Noddy Shot
Point Of View Shot
Weather Shots
The 180 degree rule is very important when using the camera, as it helps maintain continuity by ensuring that the action within the scene takes place behind an imaginary 180 degree line. If this line is crossed, then the change in perspective can become disorientating and confusing.
The rule of thirds states that an image can be divided up in to nine equal parts, by two evenly spaced horizontal lines, which creates more focus on the object within the middle 'box', emphasising importance.
Spatial relationships are also very important for ensuring that the eyeline matches work, and also that if, for example, you go from a wide shot to a close up, you don't get somebody else's arm or leg in the shot. This is to help with the editing and continuity.
Video showing the 'Seven Deadly Sins' of Camerawork:
Mistakes In The Practice Shoot:
In our first filming task, my group and I managed to break the 180 degree rule, whilst doing an over the shoulder shot, but other than some issues with lighting, everything else was okay!
Monday 11 October 2010
Camera Operations & Functions
In our Media lessons we have been introduced to video cameras and how to use them. We have been looking at the functions and operations of video cameras, such as timecode, white-balancing, aperture settings, focusing etc.
Today's cameras are highly sophisticated machines, and are capable of many things.
Important Camera Features:
Recording Speed - You should only ever record to video tape at a speed of Standard Play
Your camera and your VCR will let you select Extended Play and Super Long Play but you should only ever use this feature if its to record a television show that you want to watch at a later time.
Date/Time Imprint - On your camera, the control which turns your date/time feature on and off is probably a menu item. You must know where it is because once this information has been imprinted on your camera, it CANNOT be removed. This means that the date and time will be on every foot of what you are recording unless it is turned off before shooting.
tip: Before shooting, film something for ten seconds with the date/time imprint on. Then turn the feature off for the rest of the day, so you know when it was shot, but the date and time does not appear on every shot.
Fade and Dissolve Control - If you want to edit the tape which you shoot, DO NOT use this feature. If you do fade or dissolve within the camera, you cannot remove this special effect.
Zoom - On the cameras which we used, the zoom was the second dial away from the lense, but you should only use the zoom sparingly, because if it is used too much the film looks as though if it is shot on a roller coaster, and is difficult to watch. The zoom feature is useful for turning a wide shot in to a close up shot.
White Balance - We learnt how to white balance a camera by zooming in to a white object and flicking the white balance switch to A. We do this so that the camera can detect what is white under the light you are working in. If the light changes, the camera must be re white-balanced. White balance ensure that the colours captured by your camera are reproduced accurately.
Focus - The adjustment of the lens so that the image you are filming is represented clearly and sharply in your view finder or moniter. Auto focus is a mechanism built in to all cameras which enables cameras to constantly refocus, keeping everything within the frame focused. There will be a switch on your camera allowing you to select 'Auto' or 'Manual'. Manual focus allows you to focus your camera manually, using the ring near the lense to keep the camera focused.
Viewfinder - The diopeter control on your viewfinder is a focusing mechanism which allows you to adjust the viewfinder for your eyesight.
In filming, it is important to use a tripod. We practiced setting ours up, then taking it down again, to familiarise ourselves with it. The tripod is easy to set up, but must be level. Tripods are better than using the camera handheld because they keep the camera steady and still, and if you are repeatedly filming a shot it is easy to re-create that shot because the tripod will help to keep the camera in the same position. In certain films however, like the Blair Witch Project, a handheld camera will be used to create a 'home-made' video effect.
To get a straight image from the tripod, you bubble the camera. This means loosening the nuts on the tripod a tiny bit, so you can move and re-align the camera until the bubble is position in the centre of the black lines. Once this is done, you then tighten the nuts again.
Today's cameras are highly sophisticated machines, and are capable of many things.
Important Camera Features:
Recording Speed - You should only ever record to video tape at a speed of Standard Play
Your camera and your VCR will let you select Extended Play and Super Long Play but you should only ever use this feature if its to record a television show that you want to watch at a later time.
Date/Time Imprint - On your camera, the control which turns your date/time feature on and off is probably a menu item. You must know where it is because once this information has been imprinted on your camera, it CANNOT be removed. This means that the date and time will be on every foot of what you are recording unless it is turned off before shooting.
tip: Before shooting, film something for ten seconds with the date/time imprint on. Then turn the feature off for the rest of the day, so you know when it was shot, but the date and time does not appear on every shot.
Fade and Dissolve Control - If you want to edit the tape which you shoot, DO NOT use this feature. If you do fade or dissolve within the camera, you cannot remove this special effect.
Zoom - On the cameras which we used, the zoom was the second dial away from the lense, but you should only use the zoom sparingly, because if it is used too much the film looks as though if it is shot on a roller coaster, and is difficult to watch. The zoom feature is useful for turning a wide shot in to a close up shot.
White Balance - We learnt how to white balance a camera by zooming in to a white object and flicking the white balance switch to A. We do this so that the camera can detect what is white under the light you are working in. If the light changes, the camera must be re white-balanced. White balance ensure that the colours captured by your camera are reproduced accurately.
Focus - The adjustment of the lens so that the image you are filming is represented clearly and sharply in your view finder or moniter. Auto focus is a mechanism built in to all cameras which enables cameras to constantly refocus, keeping everything within the frame focused. There will be a switch on your camera allowing you to select 'Auto' or 'Manual'. Manual focus allows you to focus your camera manually, using the ring near the lense to keep the camera focused.
Viewfinder - The diopeter control on your viewfinder is a focusing mechanism which allows you to adjust the viewfinder for your eyesight.
In filming, it is important to use a tripod. We practiced setting ours up, then taking it down again, to familiarise ourselves with it. The tripod is easy to set up, but must be level. Tripods are better than using the camera handheld because they keep the camera steady and still, and if you are repeatedly filming a shot it is easy to re-create that shot because the tripod will help to keep the camera in the same position. In certain films however, like the Blair Witch Project, a handheld camera will be used to create a 'home-made' video effect.
To get a straight image from the tripod, you bubble the camera. This means loosening the nuts on the tripod a tiny bit, so you can move and re-align the camera until the bubble is position in the centre of the black lines. Once this is done, you then tighten the nuts again.
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