Unit 18: April 2024

When making my film, I have to know what camera i will be using. There are several types of cameras for me to use. Due to filming in school i will have to use the school camera equipment which is a DSLR camera.

Digital Single Lens Reflex, this is what DSLR stands for. This indicates that the camera works with a fixed digital sensor. DSLR cameras are long lasting meaning the camera has long sustainable battery life and can have different lenses attached to them for example, fish eye lens. When filming this will be helpful as I wouldn't have to constantly change the battery. The DSLR camera has multiple modes which i can access such as manual mode. In manual mode i can control the different features to my standards when filming. When filming, it would be easier for me as i can just adjust the settings to get the shot type i need when the camera is on manual mode.

The DSLR camera has multiple accessories i can utilise such as:

Tripod
SD card
Fish eye lens
Filters

Using this equipment will help enhance the quality of my shots as well as helping me get the specific shot i need when filming.

The DSLR camera also helps with cinematography when filming as well as lighting. To have that cinematography effect when filming, ensure to switch the button from AF to MF, from auto focus to manual focus. Switching from AF to MF allows you to control the focus and allows you to include cinematography. You can then change the focus to your liking when filming just by twisting the front of the lens. DSLR can help with lighting as I can access the torch from the camera. These settings will help me when filming as I will be able to add cinematography in certain scenes by changing the mode to AF to MF and if i need lighting i can access the flashlight on the camera.

Manual mode controls:

When using a DSLR it comes with multiple modes, one being manual mode. Manual mode enable some features which can enhance your shots when filming, or taking pictures. If you need specific shots related to lighting, focus and so on you can change the settings on manual mode to your liking.

Focus pull method - A focus pull allows you to have a certain object or person in focus with the background being blurred, or it can have the objects or people blurred and have the background in focus. This allows the audience to be focused on what is focused on screen.
Depth of field - The distance of a object close up and an object far away in a picture is the depth of field.
Aperture - The opening where light goes through.

Types of camera lens and the uses:

With a DSLR camera, there are multiple lenses i can use when filming. Each lens is different and unique and all have different aspects.

Fish-eye - The purpose of this lens is to serve disfiguration, it is a wide angle lens, this lens helps create a panoramic view when using this lens.
Standard - This lens is used to interpret the natural view of objects or people to the human eye.
Wide angle - This lens is used to capture wide angles shots. This lens is mainly used when filming landscape, this make shots taken more expanded.

Use of exposure control for effect:

I will be using manual mode most of the time when filming, reason being is because i want to control the focus when filming for cinematography effect. There are several settings i can use to control the exposure when filming such as:

ISO - This controls the amount of light that gets in the camera. This enables me to control how much light i want when filming, making it easier for me to control the amount exposure i want.
Aperture - This is similar to ISO. The size of the lens that is being opened means more light coming in the frame. The less the opening is in the lens the less light comes through
Shutter speed - This is the amount of time the camera is exposed to light. This helps me control the light in each scene.

Frame rates for different effects:

Frame rates are the rate of images are taken at. For example: