1. Operating a Digital Video Camera

2. Objectives
 Identify appropriate camera angles and placements
 Identify the different camera framing used
 Understanding the motivational reason when using
camera movements

3. Objectives
 Interpret the effect of lines
 Demonstrate the rule of thirds in composition
 Identify the various camera angle placements

4. Aspect Ratios

5. Horizontal Camera Placement
 Front view
 Side view
 Back view

6. Portrait Shooting
 More susceptible to noise.
 Consumes less power than CCD, as much as 100 times
less.
 CMOS cameras are usually less expensive and have great
battery life.

7. Main Camera Features
 Viewfinder
 LCD Monitor

8. LCD Monitor
 Larger view
 Swiveled angles
 Touch screen
 Consumes more battery

9. LCD Monitor
 Record cue light
 Battery indicator
 Tape
 Shutter speed
 Gain level
 White Balance preset
 Filters
 Audio meter

10. Battery Life
 LCD indicator
 Recording time left
 Warning indicator
 ALWAYS CHECK!
 Backup plans - AC

11. Main Camera Features
 Zoom (optical & digital)
 Focus
 Exposure
 White balance
 Back light

12. Optical Zoom
 W = Wide
 T = Telephoto

13. Digital Zoom
 Reduced image quality
 Pixilation

14. Focus Control
 Clear / Sharpen
 Off / Soft focus
 Zoom in to the eye
 NEVER Set to Auto!!

15. Focus Control
A Sharp Image A Blurred Image

16. Exposure Control
 Aperture
 Amount of light
 Shutter speed
 NEVER Set to Auto Exposure!!

17. Exposure Control

18. Depth Of Field
 Small Aperture =
large f-stop number =
large depth of field
 Large Aperture =
small f-stop number =
shallow depth of field

19. Depth Of Field
 Which picture is taken on a larger aperture?
 Notice how the focused image gives more attention to
the words on the fridge.

20. White Balance
 True white
 Different colour temperatures
 Indoor / outdoor
 NEVER Set to Auto White Balance!!

21. Colour Temperature Chart

22. Other Camera Features
 These other features are also present in the
camera.
 However, knowledge or application of these
features are not necessary to achieve high
quality video images.
 Sometimes, using these features can result in
poorer images.

23. Backlight Function
 For use on silhouetted images
 Engaging the button will brighten the foreground and
darken the background to give a more even image
 Adjust your lights to achieve your desired image!

24. Image Stabilization
 Steady shot
 Smoothen shake and jitter
 Optical / Electronic image
stabilizer
 Use a tripod or rig if you
want steady camera
movements!

25. Input / Output Connectors
 XLR connectors (Audio)
 Headphone & MIC
 Output connectors
1. Firewire/i-link/IEEE-1934
2. USB
3. S-video
4. RCA

26. Still Photo Capabilities
 Why are you taking still
photos using a video
camera??

27. Interval Recording
 Records footage in
segments
 E.g. every 10, 20, 30
minutes
 This function is very
useful for filming time
lapse sequences
 However, the camera
cannot be left on its own,
and must still be looked
after all the time!

28. Low Light / Gain Boost
 Grain / Pixels
 Poor image quality
 Short cut!

29. Tripod Components
 Extendable height
 Number of sections
 Fluid head
 Lever balancing