7. Photography/Graphics & Video (digital)

  1. Video monitors (computer screens) are dimensioned in pixels and printers print on paper that is dimensioned in inches. That is why the dpi (dots per inch) specification of an image means nothing to a web browser displaying an image, but it determines the resolution and size that an image will print.

    • This site goes pretty deep and is very "techy" ... but it will greatly help you understand what is going on with digital images. At very least, you should read a little of it. If it interests you, read it more methodically.

  2. How is a pixel in a digital photo just like the bit depth of a single sample in a digital audio file

  3. Discuss why optical zoom is better than digital zoom.

My hope is that you will be the awesome teachers that video record concerts with 3 or more cameras plus a set of stereo microphones (one camera in the back of the hall is boring!). I have provided you with tips for shooting with 3 cameras and tips to tell parents you may ask to run cameras (hold a shot for 10sec., etc.). Read through these tips and gain an understanding for the use of 3 cameras (especially since we cannot try this out in person), then complete the assignment using demo files I've provided.

General tips

  • 👏 visually clap (slate) three times to assist in later synching audio and video

  • get performers’ permission and you may need a synchronization license

  • use tripods (holding the camera with your hand is too shaky)

  • use only optical zoom (don’t use digital zoom); buy camera with 20x or more optical zoom

  • never stop recording on any of the cameras so aligning camera footage is easy

  • ⏱hold a shot for at least 10 seconds

  • don’t shoot like spraying a garden hose = zoom/pan only between shots

Editing Software Suggestions

Recording the Concert

Camera settings

Typical 3 camera setup:

  • Cam1 = “Safety” = fixed, wide angle camera that gets everything (turn off autofocus)

  • Cam2 = manned camera hunting for medium & close up shots of performer(s)

  • Cam3 = manned camera hunting for medium & close up shots of performer(s) AND b-roll footage = timeless reaction shots (of the audience, for example)

Composition

  • use rule of thirds (turn on grid)

    • use lead space = space in front of where subject is facing

  • avoid placing your frame edge on one of the body’s joints

  • avoid too much headroom (or person looks to be sinking)

  • avoid too little headroom (or focus will be on the person’s chin and neck)

  • use a variety of Shot types (Links to an external site.) (hold a shot for at least 10 seconds)

    • extreme long shot (XLS) = establishing shot - context for shots to follow

    • long shot (LS) = person from head to feet

    • medium shot (MS) = person from about waist up

    • closeup shot (CU) = person’s neck and head

    • extreme closeup shot (XCU) = one detail of a person

    • cut in = closeup shot of an object (such as the face of a watch or an instrument key)

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