ADITA Video Inc.

LEARN FROM THE PROS

TIPS FOR BUYING A CAMCORDER

There are many things to consider before making your purchase of a camcorder. With the recent introduction of digital videotape, a new kink has come into the marketplace. You'll find out more about digital video in the section dealing with The Future of Video.

If you're not quite ready to lay out top dollar for the state of the art digital camcorder, then you'll be looking for a VHS or 8mm unit. For better image quality, you may prefer an S-VHS or HI-8mm camcorder. There are hundreds of models to pick from so how do you choose what's right for you. Here are some factors that will help you make a purchase decision: 1) Think about what you want to use your camcorder for. For example, a compact format is better for travelling, hiking etc. It may also be the wiser choice if you plan to let your kids use it. 2) Take your time and get to know how the camcorder feels to you. Does it feel comfortable to hold, well-balanced, and are the controls suitably located to your tastes? 3) Can the hand strap be adjusted to fit your hand or others who may use it? Can you make it small if your child wants to use it. 4) How much does the electronic viewfinder adjust? I like one which comes out far (to my left eye), and not all of them can extend this much. Some viewfinders are designed to flip over to function equally well for left- and right-handed users. 5) Does the camcorder have the features you need? If you want to experiment with animations then be certain the camcorder has animation mode (not just an interval timer). 6) Does the lens focus crisply and zoom smoothly through its entire range? Even our industrial AG-450 camcorder lens seems to change speed during a zoom as it approaches full telephoto. 7) What does the warranty cover, and for how long? Where do you have to send it for service and how long will it take? This is particularly important if you'll be using it for business. Can you get an extended warranty, and what does it cover? 8) Ask yourself whether you want quality, or the cheapest price. For quality, purchase well-known brand names. 9) Is high fidelity sound important, including having stereo inputs, so you can record your child's music recitals or make "rock" videos? If so, you'll want your camcorder to have HI-FI or digital sound recording capability. 10) Do you plan to videotape wildlife, or action which calls for a powerful telephoto lens? Some newer cameras have 2X digital magnification of the zoom. For example, it can increase an 8X zoom to 16X (but is it still sharp?). Or, is most of your taping going to be in your crammed apartment, where a lens which gives a wider angle view will prove more useful. We have produced an instructional videotape that leads you through all the steps to assure that you purchase the right camcorder for your needs. The tape is entitled, Know Your Camcorder, and it's the first one in our 7-TAPE How To Shoot Super Videos series.

STILL PHOTOGRAPHY CONCEPTS
YOU CAN APPLY IN VIDEO

If you pride yourself as a reasonably good still photographer, then you already possess certain camera skills which you can apply in video. The main idea is take composition seriously, and take the same time and care as you would in shooting good photographs. Video is made up of moving images, but that is not going to bail you out of poorly composed shots. Concept 1 · Keep shots simple. Simplicity makes the shot more memorable and hence more impactful. Avoid clutter or "busy-ness" in your shots (such as the classic telephone pole growing out of the subject's head). Learn to watch for and eliminate extraneous matter from the frame. Compose crisply. Concept 2 · Remember that visual images are made up of 4 components: LINE, FORM, TEXTURE, and COLOR. Simple (and hence effective) shots emphasize only ONE of these components at a time. Apply this concept to your video shooting and the resulting improvement will amaze you. Exercise: Play one of your videos and randomly pause a freeze-frame. Analyze how it looks, photographically. Is it well composed, focused etc.? Try this repeatedly to see how frequently you find a good shot. Video actually consists of individual pictures moving at a rate of 30 frames per second. In this respect, it is similar to movie film. Concept 3 · When you take a photograph, two major factors in exposing the film in the camera are shutter speed and lens aperture. Many still photo cameras can be set to operate these functions automatically. Others can be set manually. Professionals often prefer to operate the camera manually because they can choose specific settings to create desired results. Many video cameras operate automatically, while others allow numerous manually controlled functions. No matter how your camera works, if you understand some concepts fundamental to all photography, you will shoot better videos. We have produced an instructional videotape that will teach you how to properly compose shots and eliminate the amateur look that plagues most home videos. The tape is entitled, How to Shoot Video Like a Pro, and it's the second one in our 7-TAPE How To Shoot Super Videos series.

CAMERA TECHNIQUES

BOOMING: The video camera is moved up or down relative to the subject, while maintaining a consistent angle with the horizon. Booming is also called craning. Many Hollywood movies begin with this kind of shot, done very slowly, as the introductory titles come on. The shot gives an illusion of depth and the viewer feels he is swooping above the scene as the camera is raised. The camera can be tilted as it is boomed. Any variety of camera movements can be combined. Boom shots always look unique and exciting because the effect is different from how we normally view things. Professional equipment for booming is expensive and sophisticated. There are some companies who make lower cost rigs for camcorder users. The Sept/Oct 1989 issue of Videomaker had an article on how to build one yourself. A simple boom can be done hand-held simply by crouching down and then slowly rising to a stand-up posture (or vice versa) as you shoot. It looks more dramatic when there is something near to you, some foreground (like a tree limb), framing the shot. It even works simply by cranking the center column of your tripod up or down. You can make good looking boom shots from a moving escalator, a glass elevator, or on a forklift truck. Next time you're videotaping at a playground, try shooting off a seesaw with someone to assist you in moving up and down. We have produced an instructional videotape that will teach you how to use a variety of camera techniques and to combine shots into great scenes. The tape is entitled, Continuity & Combining Shots (Telling Your Story), and it's the third one in our 7-TAPE How To Shoot Super Videos series.

© 2002 ADITA Video Inc. · Calgary, AB · Canada · TEL: 1-403-274-7494