Shooting Strategies - Digital Video for Multimedia

Shooting Strategies - Digital Video for Multimedia

Moving Camera
A moving camera should be used as often as possible to create effect. Use pans, tilts and tracking to create varied shots. Try walking, running, jumping, sweeping and swinging the camera.

Pan- Move the camera horizontally from a stationary position
Tilt- Move the camera vertically from a stationary position
Zoom- increases or decreases your angle of view

Try moving while panning, tilting or zooming at the same time. Try not to zoom in and out and in and out.

Tracking- move the camera horizontally as you move around the subject
Crane shot- vertical track, you can use a seesaw, glass elevator or escalator

Try shooting a scene without looking through the viewfinder. You can be surprised what happens by accident. Try this strategy where you are reacting to the action without traditionally framing the scene. Hold the camera at waist level while walking. Point the camera straight down at the ground, Walk up to people with the camera pointing up at their face. Be creative.....

Camera Angle
Alter the position of the height of the camera. Shoot at eye level for only the most traditional of shots. By placing the camera below your subject and shooting up, creates the illusion of dominance. By placing the camera above your subject and shooting down, you create the illusion of submissiveness. Practice shots from waist level, ground level and from above. Remember you do not need to keep your camera level, you can use odd angles to create the feeling of chaos or anxiety.

Lighting
If you feel that your shots look boring and ordinary, alter your lighting. Go out and re-shoot your scenes at sunrise or sunset. Chose a cloudy day when the light is diffused. Diffused light enhances color. Bright sunlight washes out color. Use sunlight or lighting to capture shadows. Hose down
concrete or asphalt to create light reflections at night. Flashlights and candles can be used to create low light ambience.

Depth of Field
Depth of field on a video camera works just as it does on a 35mm SLR camera. The smaller the
aperture the greater the depth of field. Depth of field is the distance within your scene that is in focus. Remember that depth of field is affected by the focal length of the lens. When the camera lens is in its wide-angle position, the depth of field is greater. When the camera lens is in telephoto position the depth of field is reduced. To reduce camera shaking and increase the depth of field move closer to your subject instead of zooming the camera into subject.

Composition
Fill the frame. Be aware of every element that lies within the frame. All objects within the frame should have relevance. Be aware of the sides, top and bottom. Get up close, watch the movement and try to avoid centering everything. Use the rule of thirds.

Michelle Carpenter