camcorder reviews, news, how-to and more
Improve your technique!
Basic Cameracraft – Hints and Tips
As part of a series of articles covering basic techniques, here’s an introductory set of features written by SimplyDV’s Colin Barrett and drawn from the many articles written for UK digital camcorder and general video-making magazines since the mid-1990s.
The following selection of articles contain some down-to-earth information, hints and tips aimed specifically at the complete digital video newbie, though we hope they’ll be considered helpful by some of the more experienced camcorder users, too!
Cameracraft 1: Sharp Shooting
Introducing basic camera techniques; taking control manually, thinking about what you’re trying to shoot, supporting the camcorder properly.
Cameracraft 2: Shot Composition
Considering a few of the rules of composition that haven’t changed since the beginning of cinema; composing shots and basic storyboards; thinking about sequences.
Cameracraft 3: Simple Lighting
An introduction to some very simple lighting techniques; making use of natural light, adding artificial light, white balance and colour temperature explained.
Cameracraft 4: Good Sound
Sound is as important as the pictures in every video; tips on getting better sound; use of external mics, connecting to your camcorder, monitoring what you’re recording.
In addition to having drawn upon information created for camcorder and digital video magazines, these features also contain the kind of down-to-earth information and guidance that are a feature of the author’s published books on the subject of digital video and, in particular, consumer camcorder usage. They include:
- Digital Video for Beginners (Ilex Press, March 2005)
- Need To Know : Digital Video (Harper Collins, 2006)
- Go Digital! Keeping Your Memories Alive (Taschen, 2006)
- Collins GEM Digital Video (Harper Collins 2007)
(Updated by Colin Barrett, January 2010)