Learning how to use a camera and get good results is just like learning any other tool - the more you use it, the better you'll get and the more you'll discover. Don't be discouraged if you aren't getting perfect results the first time. Instead, try to decide for yourself what you're unhappy with and turn it into a challenge for the next time you shoot.
The cameras we'll use the most in our class are small Canon Vixia HV30s. They're impressive little cameras that shoot high definition footage onto tapes (called miniDV tapes). However, you are welcome to use a camera you may own or have access to at home for your projects if you'd prefer. Most importantly, the techniques we learn on these cameras are ones that can be used on pretty much any camera anywhere. So, you'll learn how to use these cameras very well, but you should also be learning what to look for on any camera you use.
GETTING THE CAMERA UP AND RUNNING:
Obviously, the first essential step is turning the camera on. You'll need to make sure you have a charged battery or that the camera is plugged into a power source. Locate where on the camera the battery connects, how to load the battery on and off of the camera, and where to plug in the camera. Make sure you understand how to use the charger as well.
Once the charged battery is on the camera, locate the power switch. Sometimes the switch is as simple as something that says 'ON,' but sometimes the switch has multiple functions, such as 'Camera,' and 'Playback.' On the Canon Vixia, to turn the camera on in record mode you switch the power button into camera mode.
You can use either the viewfinder or the LCD monitor on the side of the camera to view your image.
You can zoom in and out (if your camera has a zoom lens - most camcorders do). This is usually a little lever-switch. On the Canon Vixia it is on the upper right hand side of the camera, right in front of the power switch.
The next essential thing before you start recording images is loading your media. Depending on your camera this might be film, tape, or digital memory. In some cases, newer cameras have a hard drive built in. To load a MiniDV tape into the Canon Vixia you slide the 'Eject' button on the top of the camera to unlock the little door, and then pop the door open. The camera will eject the tape-compartment automatically. Load your tape in - but make sure that it is inserted properly. If it isn't, the compartment won't be able to close - just remember to NEVER force the camera. Once the tape is able to be closed in, the camera will again automatically close the tape compartment, you can then close the door.
If you've used a camcorder before you probably just turned it on and started recording. That's fine - most consumer cameras come with a lot of auto functions, and they'll do a decent job of controlling the image. However, the professional way to shoot film and video is to use as much manual control as possible - that way you can (hopefully) get the results just about exactly how you envision them.
The most essential manual controls to use in order to ensure you're getting the most useable footage are White Balance, Exposure, Focus, and Audio. You can remember this using the acronym W.E.F.A.
White Balance: Sets the camera’s color based on lighting conditions. Be sure to re-set your white balance each time you change settings/light. Zoom in on a white wall/paper and hit the white balance button on your camera – make sure the colors look accurate, and you’re good to go.
Exposre (also labeled Aperture or Iris): Controls the amount of light being let into the camera. Aperture functions like the pupil of an eye. Find the dial or buttons that adjust exposure, iris, or aperture on your camera and use them to make sure that your subject is properly exposed without blowing out bright whites.
Focus: Ensures that your subject is properly focused. To set your focus, set up your shot and then zoom all the way in on your subject to set the focus. Once your subject is in focus, you can zoom back out to the shot length you want and as long as your subject remains the same distance from the camera, they’ll be in focus.
Audio: Capturing good audio for your movie is just as important as capturing a good image. We won't spend too much time with audio today - but we will dive into it soon.
Here's how you go about setting each of these up with your Canon Vixia:
Hopefully, that was all easy enough to find and set. It's a little tricky with some of the items buried inside of the menu - but the most important thing to remember is that if your image isn't looking how you want it to, you can probably find a way to go in and manually adjust it. On more high-end professional cameras, these functions are usually built right onto the outside of the camera.
Play around for a bit until you get used to getting the proper settings for the camera. Then, we'll have you partner up with some classmates and go out and shoot some images.
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