Camera Training 101

Celebration Church

2

Course goals

• Camera Set-Up

• Basic Operation

• Troubleshooting

• Framing

• Director Calls.

3

Course contents

• Overview: Camera Operation and Filming

• Part A: Basic Camera Functions

• Part B: Camera Framing and Composition

• Part C: Director Calls and Camera Operator

4

Camera operators do more than just operate cameras. They typically help set up the cameras and ensure their technical quality, and they work with the director, lighting director, and audio technician in setting up each shot. In field productions, they may also coordinate camera equipment pickup and delivery.

Overview: Camera Operators

Camera 101

Part ABasic Camera Functions

6

The Camera

7

The CameraVideo Camera ZoomingThe zoom is the function which moves your point of view closer to, or further away from, the subject. The effect is

similar to moving the camera closer or further away. (It isn't quite the same as moving the camera though. More on that later.)

The two most common zoom mechanisms are below: Manual zoom (ring). This is a zoom ring on the lens housing which is rotated manually, typically by the left thumb

and index finger. Advantages: Speed (you can do super-fast zooms); doesn't require power (so no drain on your battery).Disadvantages: More difficult to control; harder to get smooth zooms.

Servo zoom (lever). This is a lever which sits on the lens housing. It's usually positioned so that when you slide your right hand into the grip belt, the servo zoom will be sitting under your first two fingers. Pressing the front part of the lever zooms in, pressing the rear part zooms out. Cheaper cameras usually have a constant zoom speed, whereas a good servo zoom will have variable speed -- the further you depress the lever, the faster the zoom. The lever may have labels such as T and W (tele and wide).Advantages: Easy to use in most situations; nice smooth zooms.Disadvantages: Uses battery power; may be limited to fixed speeds.

There's an important characteristic of zoom lenses that you should be aware of: The further you zoom in, the more difficult it is to keep the picture steady. At very long zooms, a tripod is essential. If you're having trouble keeping your shot steady, it may be possible to move yourself closer to the subject and then zoom out. This way you'll have essentially the same framing, but much steadier.

Zooming is the function everyone loves. It's easy and you can do lots with it, which is why it's so over-used. The most common advice we give on using the zoom is use it less. It's a great tool in moderation, but when most of your shots are zooming in and out, your audience will feel nauseous.

As a rule, don't zoom unless there is a reason to. If you want to show both the whole scene as well as some close-up details, you don't need to have a zoom in. Instead, shoot a wide shot, stop recording, zoom in to a close up, then start recording again. The result is one shot which cuts cleanly and quickly to another, portraying the same information as a zoom, but more efficiently.

8

The CameraFocusAuto-focus is strictly for amateurs. Unlike still photography, there is no way auto-focus can meet the needs

of a serious video camera operator. Many people find manual focus difficult, but if you want to be any good at all, good focus control is essential.

Professional cameras usually have a manual focus ring at the front of the lens housing. Turn the ring clockwise for closer focus, anti-clockwise for more distant focus. Consumer cameras have different types of focus mechanisms — usually a small dial.

To obtain the best focus, zoom in as close as you can on the subject you wish to focus on, adjust the ring until the focus is sharp, then zoom out to the required framing.

9

The Camera

IrisThis is an adjustable opening (aperture), which controls the amount of light coming through

the lens (i.e. the "exposure"). As you open the iris, more light comes in and the picture appears brighter.

Professional cameras have an iris ring on the lens housing, which you turn clockwise to close and anticlockwise to open. Consumer-level cameras usually use either a dial or a set of buttons.

The rule of thumb for iris control is: Set your exposure for the subject. Other parts of the picture can be too bright or darks, as long as the subject is easy to see.

10

The CameraWhite Balance White balance means color balance. It's a function which tells the camera what each color should look like,

by giving it a "true white" reference. If the camera knows what white looks like, then it will know what all other colors look like.

This function is normally done automatically by consumer-level cameras without the operator even being aware of it's existence. It actually works very well in most situations, but there will be some conditions that the auto-white won't like. In these situations the colors will seem wrong or unnatural.

To perform a white balance, point the camera at something matt (non-reflective) white in the same light as the subject, and frame it so that most or all of the picture is white. Set your focus and exposure, then press the "white balance" button (or throw the switch). There should be some indicator in the viewfinder which tells you when the white balance has completed. If it doesn't work, try adjusting the iris, changing filters, or finding something else white to balance on.

You should do white balances regularly, especially when lighting conditions change (e.g. moving between indoors and outdoors).

11

Terminology: Function“Pan” - Side-to-side camera movement.

“Tilt” - Up-and-down camera movement.

“Zoom” - In-and-out camera movement (i.e. closer and more distant).

“Iris” (Exposure) - The opening which lets light into the camera. A wider iris means more light and a brighter picture.

“White balance” - Adjusting the camera to white under the current lighting conditions.

“Shutter” - Analogous to the shutter in a still camera.

12

Terminology: Function

Tally Light – This is a recording indicator light. When the tally light is lit it will let anyone in front of the camera see that it is active. This light is also visible above the view finder screen. This lets the camera operator know that your image is currently on screen and to not alter the shot drastically.

Tripod – A tripod is used to create a stable smooth shot. Crane/ “Jib” – Camera mounted to a crane or jib. Similar to a

tripod this is used to create a stable smooth shot, while also giving the camera two more degrees of motion adding a “floating” up and down movement as well as a “gliding” side-to-side motion.

Tripod Head – This fluid device is used to make the movement of the camera smoother. There are “drag” adjustments allowing the operator varying amounts of resistance with full range of motion, but with better control.

Camera 101

Part BCamera Framing and

Composition

14

Composition and FramingShot: All video is made up of shots. A shot is basically from

when you press record to when you stop recording. Like the individual photos which make up an album, the shots get put together to make a video.

Framing & Composition: The frame is the picture you see in the viewfinder (or on a monitor). Composition refers to the layout of everything within a picture frame — what the subject is, where it is in the frame, which way it's facing/looking, the background, the foreground, lighting, etc. There are many ways to compose a shot, depending on your goals. You want to be aware of what is in the shot and what isn't. Can you clearly see what you intend for the viewer to see?

When you "frame" a shot, you adjust the camera position and zoom lens until your shot has the desired composition.

There is a general set of rules in the video industry which describe how to frame different types of camera shots, such as the ones illustrated below

15

Shot Types

16

Shot Types cont.

Head to Toe Shot

17

Shot Types cont.Rule of Thirds (the Eyes)

Always frame your shot keeping the eyes ¼ to 1/3 down from the top of the screen

18

Shot Types cont.Rule of Thirds (for Body Position)

Always frame your shot to keep “breathing room” in front of the body.

19

Shot Types cont.Rule of Thirds (for Body Position)

Considering the position of the body over the position the head is facing

20

Composition and Framing cont..

Waist up or “Cowboy up” – This framing call has the subject framed from the top of the thigh or waist up to the top of their head. Not quite a close up shot, but could be used as a starting point for a zoom to close up, creating a sense of drama.

Full body or “Head-to-Toe” – This framing call shows the subject completely from head to toe. A typical shot for Camera 2 it may also include some of the audience as well. Some of the better head-to-toe shots are from a slightly higher camera angle.

Rule of Thirds – This classic rule suggests that the center of the camera's attention is one-third of the way down from the top of the shot. (see “Rule of Thirds” section below)

“Headroom” – This refers to the space above the subject's head. You'll see different amounts of headroom, depending on the intent of the operator. In general, if you're on Camera 1 tracking pastor around the stage you will want to try to leave little or no headroom. However, on Camera 2 you may want to leave a little headroom or even show as high as the top of the stage depending the angle of your shot. By leaving headroom, or space on either side of the subject, you are imitating what you see in real life which may not be useful.

21

Composition and Framing cont..

Talking/Walking Room – You create talking/walking room by putting the cross in the center of the view finder slightly in front of the subject. If pastor is speaking from a stationary position, you may be at an angle where he is looking off to the left or right of the camera a bit. When this happens, frame your shot so that there is some talking room. That is, you want to leave some extra space in front of their face as if you were going to draw a dialogue box in for them. If pastor or the subject of the shot is in motion, give them space to walk in to. Walking Room leaves space in the shot for the action. The amount of walking room is determined by the speed of the subject. If they are moving back and forth quickly, then you may want to increase the amount of walking room.

22

Composition and Framing cont..

RULE OF THIRDSIn your mind draw a grid on the viewfinder THREE ROWS ACROSS AND THREE

ROWS DOWN - you will use the tic-tac-toe grid to align your pictures.

Top 1/3 Left

Top 1/3 Center

Top 1/3Right

C 1/3 Left

C 1/3 Center

C 1/3 Right

BTM 1/3 Left

BTM 1/3 Center

BTM 1/3 Right

This rule is particularly important with camera shots during service because a lot of the time there will be text, either bible verses or song lyrics, in the lower third or bottom of the screen. Because of this you will want the focus of your shot to be in the upper two thirds of the shot. This is definitely the case during the praise and worship part of the service, but should also be in mind during the message was well.

23

SHOT ANGLESYour shot angle is the level from which you look at your subject.Eye Level Angle – One of the most commonly used shots is the eye-level shot, because it's the perspective most familiar to us. We usually see things from our own eye-level. This angle also causes the least discomfort because we're used to it. This is the angle that Camera 1 is designed to provide.Low Angle – In this shot, the camera looks up at the subject, making it seem important, powerful, or perhaps larger than it is to the viewer. (Example: Camera 2 provides this angle by lowering the crane or “jibbing down” to its lowest level and zooming in as far as possible.)High Angle – In this shot, the camera looks down on the subject. The subject looks smaller. (Example: This angle is provided by Camera 2 by lifting the crane or “jibbing up” to as high of a level as possible.)

Composition and Framing cont..

Camera 101

Part CDirector Calls and Camera

Operator

25

COMMON CAMERA SHOTSThere are three “go to” or basic camera shots the Director will call:“Wide shot” – Also known as Establishing Shot or Long Shot. This shows virtually the whole auditorium. Frequently you'll see services begin with this shot. It's helpful because it sets the stage - the viewer gets oriented to where they are. These shots are also good if there's a lot of movement on stage because there is plenty of room to move around. This shot might show a few rows of people or the whole audience depending on the situation. To get this shot, you will need to zoom out as far as you can. This shot is rarely used on Camera 1, but is very common on Camera 2. Based on the venue, there is also “Extreme Wide, Medium Wide..” etc…“Medium Shot” – Medium shots show less of the auditorium than the wide shot, typically only showing the stage or may include the first couple rows of the audience. The camera seems closer to the subject. Use this when you want a closer look at your subject, or when you need to transition between wide shots and close up shots, it can be difficult for the viewer to follow what you are doing if you go straight from a wide shot to a close up shot.Close Up Shot (or “tight”) – This is basically is an Extreme Close-up. (illustrated above)

Director and Camera Operator

26

SHOT MOVEMENT“Pan” – A shot taken moving on a horizontal plane, from left to right, right to left. This movement is used to track pastor or the subject as they walk back and forth across the stage.“Tilt” – Camera movement in a vertical plane, up or down. You would use this movement to track pastor or the subject if they step down into the audience from the stage or while zooming in and out to keep the subject in the frame.“Zoom In” – This shot movement brings you closer to the subject without moving the camera. For example, from a wide shot to a medium shot or close shot. If you are looking at the stage, and you want to see individual people standing on it, you would zoom in.“Zoom Out” – This shot moves you farther away from the subject. For example, if you start on one particular singer but wanted your ending shot to include the whole choir, you can reverse zoom.

Director and Camera Operator cont…

27

OTHER CONCEPTS “Cutaway Shot” – A cutaway is a shot away from the main action. This is used a lot in interviews to show the person who's asking the questions, but is also used in Celebration Church services occasionally. An example would be if the pastor tells a joke or asks for a response from the audience a cutaway shot could be used to show the audience for a moment. Also, crowd hands raised during worship etc…“Two Shot” “Three Shot” – A two shot has two people in the frame. A three shot has three people in the frame etc... Because you have to be some distance from the people to get them all in the frame, this is usually a medium or wide shot. Typically this shot is only used if the pastor as asked someone else to come on stage for one reason or another.Group Shot – Generally this shot includes a cluster of subjects in a given area.Sequence – A term used in gathering video and editing. It refers to a series of related shots. For example, a sequence could be a wide shot of the Auditorium, followed by a medium shot of the performers on the stage, followed by a single vocalist or musician.

Director and Camera Operator cont…

28

Notes: