Introduction to cameras

Introduction to cameras

 180 degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen  relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. There is an imaginary line called the axis connects the characters and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character will always be frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. If the camera passes over the axis, it is called jumping the line or crossing the line.

lighting can be adapted to suggest different times of the day eliminate shadow and pick the subject out from the background. Expressive lighting may also involve the use of single hue 'gels' filters and other optical effects to create a specific mood

could be used to add detail and explanation to a scene there are 3 major types of lights and they are:

1.Backlight- Creates a natural look of the scene

2. Key Light- is used with little or no fill to create high contrast and shadow to convey a dark expressive mood

3. Fill light- This lighting is used to reduce the harsh effect of the key light

Camera angles- Camera angles could help add effect to the characters and show how they are meant to feel in a particular scene. For example if someone is recorded from a low angle it is used to make the character look bigger and taller and it is also used to give the character a sense of power. And when someone is being recorded from a high angle it is meant to used to make the character shorter and smaller which gives the impression that the character is meant to be weak.

Bubbling- This is used to level the camera at a good angle the objective is to get the air bubble on the tri-pod to the centre of the yellow circle

Prop- is an object used on stage or on screen by actors during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes and electrical equipment.

Exposure- is the amount of light allowed to fall on each area unit of a photographic film or image sensor) during the process of taking a photograph or shooting a scene in a movie. Exposure could tell the type of effect a scene in a movie is trying to give its viewers.

Different shot types- There are:

1. High angle shots - This is when the camera is placed in a low position and aimed upwards and this normally gives the character that is being shot a sense of power and it also makes the character look bigger and taller than he/she is.

2. Low angle shots-  This is when the camera is set high up and is aimed downwards at a low angle at a character. The purpose of this shot is usually to make the character look smaller than he/she is i.e as if someone is looking down at them it also gives the character a sense of weakness in comparism to the person that is meant to be starring down at them.

3. Wide shots- This is normally to make the viewers be able to see the whole setting of a scene.

4. Close up shots- This shot is when the camera zooms into a characters face and makes the character the centre of attention on the screen to the viewers. It helps us know who to pay attention to.

Tri-pod- is used to keep a camera in balance and off the ground. It is better than using a human body because the camera will be kept stable without any shaking or unexpected movements while shooting.

Focus- This clears out a view while shooting so viewers can have a clear view of the scene and the characters it also lets them know who is an important character in a scene. For example if theres a scene in a train station there will be a lot of other people in the traiun station but to show which people or person is the most important that scene the camera is focused on the important person or people while the others are blurred out.

Sony NX5- This is a semi professional camera that goes for about £4000