| By Mickey Grant,
on 28-04-2008 13:57
|
Views : 303 |
 Camera Position 101
Good advice for new camera operators is that to lock the camera down on a tripod. If you are following a moving subject, then use a tripod with a fluid head mount. A friction head mount will cause jerky movements when panning the action.
There is a simple concept of directing camera which many call "dump truck directing." This entails the camera continuously locked down on a tripod. It also requires no panning of the camera or zooming of the lens. If a shot includes broad movement and much action, then an appropriate wide shot is chosen. The only other choices of shots are medium and close-up. High and low angle shots are also allowable through adjustment of your tripod legs. It is best to avoid extreme high or low angles. It is very important to keep your shots simple.
The wide angle shot described above is important in that is provides the maximum coverage of your scene. Then reshoot the same entire scene as a medium shot. Then shoot the scene again by shooting one (or more depending on what's in the scene) various close-ups of the scene. It is also a a good idea to grab a few close-ups of props that were used in the scene such as telephones or other items used by actors.
The main reason for avoiding zooming is that you never can cut into a zoom in progress. Generally, you can cut into a zoom only before it starts and then cut out of it just as the zoom is completed.
It is also important to have a basic understanding of shot motivation. For the beginner, this "dump truck directing" style is a good start. It allows you to punch actor dialogue by cutting from a wide or medium shot to a close up of them as they deliver their lines. It provides for complete coverage of your scene and therefore the ability to have adequate choices during editing. One of the best ways for a beginning camera operators to improve their shooting is to either edit their scene or sit in the editing room and observe a professional editor editing their work and commenting on problems they are having with the coverage.
Source: http://www.creativehat.com
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