Instruction manual for video production

For beginners

Focus

a. A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction orreflection in an optical system: the focus of

a lens. Also called focal point.b. See focal length.

2.a. The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an

optical system.b. The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such

an image: in focus; out of focus.c. An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear: a camera

withautomatic focus.

http://www.thefreedictionary.co

m/focus

The focus on a camera can be both automatically and

manually adjusted. Automatic focus will draw attention to the center of the frame, as where manual can vary depending on the desired area. it is controlled

by an optical system which alters based on focal length.

When operating a camera, the contents of the image must be in focus at all times, as there is

nothing that can be done about this in post production.

Exposure

In digital photography, exposure is the unit of measurement for the total amount of light

permitted to reach the electronic sensor during the process of taking a photograph. The two main controls your

digital camera uses to control exposure are the

shutter speed andaperture.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/E/exposure.html

In cinematography/ videography the

aperture is the main control, and light is the independent variable.

Over exposure results the image appearing pale, and precise details get burned

away. Under exposure, leaves the piece looking dark, however is fixable

during editing.

White balance

White balance is a camera setting that adjusts for lighting in order to make white objects appear white in photos. This is more difficult than it might seem due to the fact that light cast from different sources is different in color (technically called temperature). That is to say,

light is rarely truly white in nature. The light from an incandescent or halogen bulb, for example, is

red/orange in color, while that from the sun is relatively blue. A proper whitebalance setting in a camera will

prevent, for example, a white bed sheet in a photo from appearing orange in color when it is being illuminated by

a candle.

http://www.mobileburn.com/

definition.jsp?term=white+balance

White balance has to be adjusted each time the lighting conditions

change. This can be done by holding up something white in the position of the subjects of your production,

and focusing on it. On a video camera, there are 4 modes for white balance: Auto, Outdoor, indoor and manual (one push). Manual is better

if you are staying in one specific lighting condition for a long period of time as it allows more control. Poor white balance control can result in

the colour temperature being incorrect.

Sound

Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard

when they reach a person’s or animal’s ear:light travels faster than

soundMORE EXAMPLE SENTENCES

1.1[COUNT NOUN] A thing that can be heard:she heard the sound of voices

in the halldon’t make a sound

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/sound

Sound has to be constantly monitored through

headphones, as boom mics can be very sensitive, however can be easily manipulated in post

production.

Composition

picture [uncountable and

countable] the way in which the different parts

that make up a photograph or picture are

arranged:

http://www.ldoceonline.com/

Photography-topic/composition

There are many different techniques that can be

used in order to make the composition look

professional. The simplest of these is the rule of

thirds. There is a way to physically display he grid, however it is usually just a

metaphoric grid, that divides the desired

recorded section into 9 squares. it is a guideline for

positioning.

Health and safety

• Be careful not to trip over loose wires.

• do not drop the camera on your foot.

• do not carry the camera around on the tripod.