Introduction to Cameras

Setting up the camera

�  The camera is attached to a tripod through a screw that you have to loosen via a spring and then you let go and it hooks into place. This allows the camera to remain balanced on top of the tripod and not shake.

�  This is the dolly. This is the platform that the tripod is strapped to which allows you to pan the camera successfully and smoothly.

�  The tripod looks like this. It has three shafts which can be unscrewed to make the camera lower which helps with high and low angle shots. It is strapped to the dolly and holds the camera in place. It allows you to move the camera smoothly as you have a stick which allows you to easily move the camera.

White Balance

�  This changes the colour of the picture to change the effect of the film. It is done by placing coloured paper over the lens.

�  Auto – The auto setting helps in adjusting the white balance automatically according to the different light conditions.

�  Tungsten – This is used for light under a little bulb like tungsten, and is often used while shooting indoors.

�  Daylight – This mode is for the normal day light setting, while shooting outdoors. Many cameras don’t have a daylight mode.

More parts to the camera

�  This is the lens of the camera, where there are 3 rollers. The largest is for focus. The second largest is zoom. The very thin one is for frames.

�  This is a spirit level on the tripod. This is simply shows you whether each leg is equal and the tripod is even.

�  This is the monitor on the camera, this shows you when the camera is recording and what it’s recording.

Camera shots

�  Over the shoulder – This is used to show the situation from a person point of view as you film from over their shoulder.

�  Close up shot – This reveals the emotions in the face of the character. It can show any type of emotion.

�  High angle shot – This shows those who are weaker and lack power in a situation by looking down on them.

�  Low angle shot – Looks up at the those with power in a situation.

�  Wide Shot – shows information about a certain situation such as location and surroundings.