Shooting with a DSLR

Filming with a DSLR – Introduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8BzeZEGEYY&safe=active

Innovative 24 FPS (frames per second) frame rate which is the industry standard for feature films. This was not possible with DV or HDV cameras.

Any footage recorded can easily be manipulated using editing software (colour correction, 3D conversion, etc)

Wide range of lenses available for varying amounts of light.

Ideal DSLR settings

Movie record size: 1280X720 (720p)AF mode: Live ModeMovie Exposure: ManualShutter speed must ALWAYS be double frame rateLower ISO= Better quality, but darker videoTo adjust, hold A/V button and use scroll wheelKeep ISO below 800Keep reticule in the centre of the screen, use aperture to

adjust

Advantages

Compact and lightHigh-definition captureAdvanced creative control with editing softwareCustomizable and interchangeable lensesHDR (High dynamic range)SpeedFlexibility

Disadvantages

Generally big and heavyQuite complexExpensiveTricky to use the LCD screen to frame the shot, as image

is processedSensor that takes the image covers a smaller area than

actual film cameras.

Focal length refers to the amount of image magnification.

Wide shot – Perspective exaggerated

Normal shot – Natural perspective

Telephoto – Compressed perspective

Exposure – manipulating the brightness and contrast of a video as it’s being recorded.

If you can control the lighting, exposure controls can be used creatively, instead of just to get a clear shot.

Aperture, ISO and ND filters are used to control exposure with the camera, not shutter speed.

Larger apertures let in more light and have a narrow depth-of-field so you can shoot in dimmer light or blur fore/backgrounds.

You can increase the ISO to increase the sensitivity of the sensor and make the image brighter. However, higher ISO creates more “noise”, which affects the image quality.

You can also reduce the amount of light entering the lens with a Neutral Density filter. This is useful if you want to shoot with a wide aperture on a bright day.

Camera SettingsFocal Length

Shooting with a DSLR - Lighting

Three point lighting is the industry standard when it comes to photography and CGI. It requires three lights to fully utilise the technique.

Key Light: This is the strongest and

has the most influence on the

scene. It is placed on one side of the subject so that the other side still has

some shadow.

Fill Light: This is the secondary light and is place on the opposite side of the key light. It

is used to fill the shadows created by the key light. It must be softer and darker

than the key.

Back Light: This is placed behind the

subject and lights it from the rear. It is used to provide definition and subtle highlights around the subject’s outlines. It makes the subject look

more three-dimensional.

Shooting with a DSLR – Short Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in18_lDRPhw&safe=active

Tips and Tricks

Get familiar with the camera by using it’s automatic settings. Start to experiment with the manual features when you’re

Shoot at the highest resolution possible.Use the rule of thirds: Don’t frame your subject in the

middle of the shot, place the subject on either the top, bottom, left or right third of the frame.

Don’t use the LCD screen to compose the shots. Always use the viewfinder. The image on the LCD screen is processed and may not be exactly the same.