Basic Photography Course

When using lenses or filters to create special
effects

You may also want to use manual focusing to

conserve battery power.

CAUTION

NEVER

attempt to force or manually focus

the focus ring when the camera is set in the
autofocusing mode. This may damage the
camera.

White Balance

Usually the auto white balance function of a video

camera operates sufficiently in the automatic position;
however, there are situations when the automatic light
balance may not work correctly. Some of these cases are
as follows:

When the light reflecting from the subject is
different from the light that is illuminating the
camcorder

When shooting a monochromatic subject or the

subject is against a monochromatic background

When recording under a sodium lamp, mercury
lamp, or a white fluorescent lamp

When recording outdoors under neon lights or
fireworks

When shooting scenes just before sunrise or right
after sunset

To white balance a motion-video camera manually,

you can follow a simple procedure. Normally a white
lens cap, made of a diffuse plastic material, is supplied
with the camera. You also can use any white object to
white balance the camera, providing the white object is
illuminated under the same conditions that you will be
shooting. To white balance, you simply place the white
lens cap over the lens, point the camera at the light
source, and press the white balance button. Remember,
when in the manual white-balance mode, if the color
temperature of the light changes, you must reset the
white balance.

To create special effects, there may be times when

you want to "lie" to the white balance sensor; for
example, you may want to produce motion video that
has a warm color balance, such as that which occurs at
sunrise or sunset. To produce video coverage with warm
characteristics, you can "white balance" the video

camera on a blue object or any of the complimentary
colors. When you record the scene, an overall yellow
cast is produced. You can also use filters to create

various effects.

Shutter Speed

When the Hi8 camera is set in the AUTO LOCK

position, the shutter speed is set at the normal speed of

1/60 second. When fast-moving subjects are recorded at

the normal shutter speed, the pictures are not recorded
clearly. You can improve the image quality by increasing
the shutter speed.

Because more light is required when shooting at

higher shutter speeds, you should not try to shoot fast
objects under poor or low-lighting conditions. Outdoors
on clear days, you can record fast-moving subjects at
shutter speeds of 1/2000 to 1/10000. On overcast days,
shutter speeds of 1/250 to 1/1000 are recommended.
While handholding the camera indoors, you may want
to provide a more stable image. In this case, a shutter
speed of 1/100 is recommended. Do not use a shutter
speed of 1/250 or higher indoors unless you use
additional artificial lighting.

CAMERA-HANDLING TECHNIQUES

In handling a motion-media camera, two words you

must keep in mind are STEADINESS and
SMOOTHNESS. When you are shooting motion media,
the camera must be held steady, and deliberate camera
movements (such as tilts, pans, dollys, zooming, and so
on) must be made smoothly. When viewed, the images
undergo a high degree of enlargement. Image movement
caused by camera unsteadiness is distracting to the
audience.

HANDHOLDING THE CAMERA

Very few division officers or chiefs in an imaging

facility expect a cameraperson to shoot every scene from
a tripod. Tripods cut down on maneuverability. When
you are shooting uncontrolled action, "shooting from
the hip" is common practice. During a fast-breaking

event, it is usually the only way you can get the required
coverage. When there is plenty of action in the scene,
people do not notice the effects of excessive camera

movement by the cameraman.

There are many occasions when freedom of

movement and mobility in handholding the camera are

essential. You can still produce acceptable motion-video
coverage if you use your body as a camera support and

13-10

contents

Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> When using lenses or filters to create special effects You may also want to use manual focusing to conserve battery power. CAUTION NEVER attempt to force or manually focus the focus ring when the camera is set in the autofocusing mode. This may damage the camera. White Balance Usually the auto white balance function of a video camera operates sufficiently in the automatic position; however, there are situations when the automatic light balance may not work correctly. Some of these cases are as follows: When the light reflecting from the subject is different from the light that is illuminating the camcorder When shooting a monochromatic subject or the subject is against a monochromatic background When recording under a sodium lamp, mercury lamp, or a white fluorescent lamp When recording outdoors under neon lights or fireworks When shooting scenes just before sunrise or right after sunset To white balance a motion-video camera manually, you can follow a simple procedure. Normally a white lens cap, made of a diffuse plastic material, is supplied with the camera. You also can use any white object to white balance the camera, providing the white object is illuminated under the same conditions that you will be shooting. To white balance, you simply place the white lens cap over the lens, point the camera at the light source, and press the white balance button. Remember, when in the manual white-balance mode, if the color temperature of the light changes, you must reset the white balance. To create special effects, there may be times when you want to "lie" to the white balance sensor; for example, you may want to produce motion video that has a warm color balance, such as that which occurs at sunrise or sunset. To produce video coverage with warm characteristics, you can "white balance" the video camera on a blue object or any of the complimentary colors. When you record the scene, an overall yellow cast is produced. You can also use filters to create various effects. Shutter Speed When the Hi8 camera is set in the AUTO LOCK position, the shutter speed is set at the normal speed of 1/60 second. When fast-moving subjects are recorded at the normal shutter speed, the pictures are not recorded clearly. You can improve the image quality by increasing the shutter speed. Because more light is required when shooting at higher shutter speeds, you should not try to shoot fast objects under poor or low-lighting conditions. Outdoors on clear days, you can record fast-moving subjects at shutter speeds of 1/2000 to 1/10000. On overcast days, shutter speeds of 1/250 to 1/1000 are recommended. While handholding the camera indoors, you may want to provide a more stable image. In this case, a shutter speed of 1/100 is recommended. Do not use a shutter speed of 1/250 or higher indoors unless you use additional artificial lighting. CAMERA-HANDLING TECHNIQUES In handling a motion-media camera, two words you must keep in mind are STEADINESS and SMOOTHNESS. When you are shooting motion media, the camera must be held steady, and deliberate camera movements (such as tilts, pans, dollys, zooming, and so on) must be made smoothly. When viewed, the images undergo a high degree of enlargement. Image movement caused by camera unsteadiness is distracting to the audience. HANDHOLDING THE CAMERA Very few division officers or chiefs in an imaging facility expect a cameraperson to shoot every scene from a tripod. Tripods cut down on maneuverability. When you are shooting uncontrolled action, "shooting from the hip" is common practice. During a fast-breaking event, it is usually the only way you can get the required coverage. When there is plenty of action in the scene, people do not notice the effects of excessive camera movement by the cameraman. There are many occasions when freedom of movement and mobility in handholding the camera are essential. You can still produce acceptable motion-video coverage if you use your body as a camera support and 13-10 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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