Camera

Over the half term I have decided that I am going to do some research on various things. Some of these things I am interested in and others I think that it is important to know, like camera functions.

Video Production Handbook
3rd Edition
Gerald Hillerson

There is a difference between video production and television production, but the lines have become blurred. Most video production is non-broadcast program-making. Productions are recorded closed-circuit on videotape, distributed and viewed by a small audience.

   Television productions are usually shown to a large public audience by over-air or cable transmissions- either 'live' or 'taped'.  Television transmissions have to conform to closely controlled technical standards. The equipment is in use for many hours of the day, so it needs to be reliable.

Camera Functions

Auto Iris - Automatically adjusts the lens aperture (f-stop) to suit the light levels. This prevents the picture from being over- or under-exposed (washed out or murky). However there are times when the iris misunderstands and changes the lens aperture when it should be constant.

Auto Focus - This is a facility that automatically adjusts the lens focus for maximum sharpness.

Auto White - This control automatically adjusts colour balance to suit the colour quality of the light and to ensure that white surfaces are accurately reproduced, otherwise all colours will be colder (blue) or warmer (red-orange)

Focus Ring/Wheel - Manual focusing (quicker and more precise than auto focus)

Photo Mode - a facility that some cameras have enabling the camera to capture still pictures.

Picture Stabilizer - A feature that compensates for irregular movements (Shaky hands)

Shutter Speed - To avoid movement blur in fast action a much briefer exposure rate than normal is needed.

Altering the Iris

When the Iris aperture us fully opened it lets the most light in. When it is at the minimum opening it lets in the least lights. But remember the smaller the opening the bigger the number.

Lens Aperture

Controlling the Camera

You need to make sure that your shots are steady and carefully controlled. You need to hold your camera perfectly still, unless you are deliberately moving it (panning and tilting).

Ways you can make sure to keep the camera steady:

1. Legs braced apart and elbows tucked in.
2. Seated with elbows on knees.
3. Kneeling with elbow resting on leg.

4. Elbows resting on ground.
5. A sandbag or a beanbag (containing tiny plastic
 balls) molds itself around the camera, supporting it
 firmly on rough ground.
6. Resting your back against the wall.

7. Resting the elbows on a low wall, fence, railing, car
 etc.
8. Leaning your side against a wall.
9. Supporting one foot on a step or box.

10. Resting your body against a post
11. pulling up a string (chain) fastened under the
camera, with its lower end taped under one foot
12. Use a monopod (single leg telescopic tube)