CAMERA OPERATION:

Stand By
When the camera is on – you can see images through the viewfinder – but no recording.

Record/Shooting
When you are recording footage on videotape.

Manuel/Auto Modes
Camera functions such as zooming and focus can be put in either mode. I recommend using manual focus when you are shooting a pan or a zoom shot.

Focus
You have to focus before shooting. Always focus when in telephoto position.

White Balance
Adjusts how the color in your footage will appear. Hold a white board against the camera, (foamcore boards are good for this!) or point the camera towards something as pure white as possible at your shooting location. White balance has to be reset every time the lighting condition changes. (e.g. going from indoor to outdoors.)

Exposure (Auto)
Adjusts the brightness of your footage.

Shutter Speed (Auto)
Adjusts the amount of light coming in through the shutter. The effect is similar to exposure. Changing the shutter speed can sometimes create visual effects like gain-up.

Digital Effects
Such as gain-up, tracing, and posterization are available on some cameras. These effects change the appearance of the footage when you are shooting.

SHOTS:
Zoom In/Out
Allows you to change the apparent distance of your subject. Zooming in (telephoto) makes objects and persons appear closer, while zooming out (wide) gives a broader view of the scene.

Long Shot
When a broad view can be seen in your shot. Full-body shoots, panorama, landscape, etc.

Medium Shot
Half-body shots, focused on the object or person but not as tight as a close-up.

Close-up
A tight shot of the subject – face shot, head shot, etc.

Macro
Available on most cameras, when the lens is so close that you images seem to be under a microscope or magnifying glass. Needs different focus procedure.

Stationary Shot
When the camera is still while shooting. A tripod is often used in this set-up.

Pan
When the camera moves while shooting, often used to show landscape.

Hand-Held Camera
When the camera is moving and held by hand while shooting. Think "Reality" TV also used a lot in newsreel footage.

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