Managing the Camera

Instructional Video Production 4(1+3)

Lesson 12: Production

Managing the Camera

  1. Holding the camera
    • Hold the camera firmly to shoot without a tripod. Hold the camera a little away from the chest, as breathing may result in camera shakes.
    • Avoid camera shake. Use a tripod whenever possible.
    • Check the spirit level every time there is a shift in the camera position.
  2. Moving with hand-held camera
    • Bend knees and move slowly.
    • Hold the camera by the handle and not by the camera belt.
    • Use the LCD screen as guide when shooting in such circumstances.
    • Where possible use wheel chairs or such supports for tracking and dollying.
  3. Camera movements
    • Try to avoid pans and tilts as much as possible. Position the cam­era to try and capture as much action as possible within the frame without actually moving the camera to avoid problems while editing.
    • If extensive panning or tilting is needed (more than 180 de­grees), always go to the final position, get comfortable with the camera handle, and pan/tilt back to the original position. Now press the record button and pan/tilt all the way to the end point. This will give steady pans/tilts.
    • Hold each shot at least for 5 seconds before and after pans and tilts.
    • Do not stop recording during pans and tilts.
    • Avoid 'crawling' all over the subject.
  4. Zoom
    • Use zooms sparingly. Try to shift the camera physically to capture close ups.
    • Zoom in only to show detail.
    • Zoom out to show the context.
    • Hold the shot at least for five seconds before and after the zoom.
    • Do not stop recording during a zoom.
  5. Focus
    • Always try to achieve the sharpest image possible.
    • Use auto focus if the subjects or the camera are not moving.
    • Use manual focus when objects within the frame have different lighting.
  6. Composition
    • Check the spirit level jn the tripod to get good shots.
    • Use canted shots (tilted shots like in music videos) only when required.
    • Ensure enough headroom, noseroom, and balance in the frame.
    • Use the rule of thirds.
    • Shoot interviews at eye level. Place the camera at least 30 de­grees to the interviewee.
    • Avoid interviewees looking directly into the camera.
    • Tryout different viewpoints. They add perspective and variety to the shots.
    • Change camera height and angle appropriately.
    • Maintain a difference of at least 30 degrees when shooting same objects from different angles.
    • Maintain the180-degree rule.
    • Maintain directional continuity
  7. Miscellaneous
    • Press the record button only if sure about the composition.
    • Do not try to rewind and review the shot just taken. This may result in time code breaks.
    • Shoot as many cutaways as possible. They help in post-production.
    • Shoot reaction shots during a full-length interview, though these may not be required if shooting sound bites.
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Last modified: Tuesday, 24 April 2012, 6:05 AM