Digital SLR Cameras

Now we have pitched our ideas for short films, before we even film anything, we needed to get to grips with the cameras we will be using. 

Digital SLR Cameras.

These are the cameras that we are going to be using in order to film our short films for this project. This camera allows us to produce the cinematic look in which a big Hollywood Blockbuster (see everything is possible if you have the right equipment...and the ability to use it of course!).

We will be using the Canon 600D to create our shorts but we really need to learn how to set it up and work it first, it may help us to know what we're doing!

We needed to get our heads around the cameras and how to set them up as it is a lot more hands on using these cameras compared to using the previous cameras. So here are the things we needed to know: 

• The lense types we could use and what they did
• Setting up things such as the Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed. 
• how to use autofocus and manual focus 
• Exposure of the camera

We were given some video tutorials and images that will help us to understand the setting up process of the cameras and how to actually use them. 
So here are all the videos and images used to help us all understand the cameras that we will be using this year!

The lense types
So this video taught us the different lenses available for the digital SLR cameras and what they were best suited for. We have: 

• A Kit Lense
• A Prime Lense
• A Zoom Lense
• An Extreme Wide Angle Lense

So why not take a look at the video and see for yourself the different uses of these lenses:

Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed

This image here shows the different effects you will have on the image you see and film when one of these three factors is changed. 
It can get a little complex when you have more or less of something due to opposite effects. So for example if you increase the Aperture, less light will be let in. If reduce the aperture then more light will be let in. 

So for example if you increase the Aperture, less light will be let in. If reduce the aperture then more light will be let in. If you look at the firetruck, the lower the aperture number (F stop) the more we only focus on the truck with a blurred out background giving it a high depth of field. 

However, as you increase the aperture number, the more in focus the whole of the framed image is until everything is in focus.

This is just one of the elements that affects the image you see on your camera. If you adjust any of the three, it affects the image on the screen. Complex? I KNOW! 


Autofocus and manual focus

So in this video, It teaches us about auto and manual focus. It all depends on what you want your audience to see and focus in on. At some point you may not want the whole image to be in shot, only a specific object or person So you have one of two options you can: 
A. Manual focus the shot
B. Autofocus the shot     

Sadly there isn't a phone a friend option and a 50:50 would be pointless but anyway, you can decide on which of these to use.
Autofocus means that the camera automatically chooses what the point of focus is in the shot. 
Manual focus is where you can change the settings on the camera to choose what you want specifically to be in focus within that shot.

Rather than me ramble on about the focus types. This video gives a clear demonstration of focusing with a Canon 600D:                                       

Exposure of the camera

The exposure within filming needs to be just right or you'll end up with an image too dark or an image too light. You need to adjust the exposure depending on the type of light you have (artificial, natural) or if you're outside, what the weather is like. If you set your exposure up for an overcast day and it turns out its snowing, you may be in a bit of trouble with your image (That and it may not be wise to film in the snow...for the cameras sake). 
This video teaches you about setting your exposure and what filters may be needed if the exposure is too high (basically putting sunglasses on your camera!)


So as the video says, its always wise to underexpose your image so that later in the editing stages, you stand more of a chance of correcting it with the editing software.


Filming with the DSLR Cameras

Once we had learnt how to use the DSLR cameras and different techniques to use when filming, it was time to go out and film on location to experiment with different settings and locations in a documentary style (more about that in the next post). The DSLR cameras have a lot more manual settings such as focus but in some cases it many not be necessary. It was up to us really. 

So lets get cracking! We have our DSLR camera training, lets put it to the test by creating a short documentary.