The document provides instructions on operating a digital video camera, including identifying appropriate camera placements and angles, understanding different types of camera movements, and demonstrating proper use of features like focus, exposure, white balance, and zoom to achieve high quality video images. It discusses technical aspects like aspect ratios, optical versus digital zoom, and depth of field. The document also cautions against automatically setting certain features and provides tips for stable camera work using a tripod.

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