workshop 1 - setting up the camera and tripod

 camera workshop 1 

in the first camera workshop we did we first learnt how to operate the camera. after unfolding the tripod and getting it to the appropriate level for what you are filming you have to do what was called 'bubbling the tripod'. there is a small yellow circle on the tripod which contains an air bubble within it. when bubbling the tripod you have to make sure that the bubble is facing up and centre. this means that your shot will keep the shot in frame completely straight and not bent to an angle.

one of the tips give to us on the day was to make sure that when we were not using the camera to make sure we kept the pan lock on and the tilt lock on. this was to make sure that is anyone was to brush past the camera on accident would be avoided

the camera we were shown and told we were going to be working with was the black magic mini Ursula with an 18mm - 300mm lens. when you attach the camera to the tripod u have to use the shoe under the camera along with the button on the left and the knob to the right in order to slide the camera in and lock it in place ensuring it will not become loose and fall.

one of the tips we were given on the day was to use the 'yours', 'mine' technique where when giving or receiving the camera you use the correct affiliated term increasing the safety of you and the camera.

on the black magic mini Ursula camera it uses V - lock batteries which you slide into place at the back of the camera and then lock in place to release the battery you press a button on the left of the camera.

When you want to focus on things using cameras that are on a manual setting zoom all the way into the object (the eyeball if it is a human face) using the furthest wheel on the lens. Once zoomed in it is easier to see how focused your shot is, you can use the nearest wheel on the lens to adjust. Once focused you can then zoom back out however far you want in order to achieve a nice looking, in focus image.

You can also change how bright your image is on a manual camera using the exposure wheel at the base of the lens. The white balance on the camera can be changed by pressing the touch screen 'WB' symbol on the cameras monitor, here you can pick settings to suit the light you are working with (like 'outdoor lighting', 'artificial lighting' and 'fluorescent lighting') or bring the white balance up and down manually to your preferred setting.