Camera Basics

Question 1

Shutter Speed

Answer 1

Length of time the shutter is open- longer the shutter speed, the higher the light. Measured as fractions of a second.
Shutter Speed = Double Frame Rate

Question 2

Common shutter speeds

Answer 2

10, 1, 1/10, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/1600

Question 3

How does shutter speed affect photos?

Answer 3

Changes exposure (brightness) and sharpness (detail).
Slower shutter speed generates more motion blur.

Question 4

What is full HD?

Answer 4

Full HD: 1920 x 1080 pixels of resolution

Question 5

Standard frame rates

Answer 5

PAL: 25FPS
NTSC: 29.97FPS
SECAM 25FPS

Question 6

White Balance (Full daylight or Tungsten)

Answer 6

Colour temp is measured in Kelvins.
You need to identify the temp before you tell the camera what the temp is.
Full Daylight: 5000K-5600K
Cloudy skies: 6000K
Tungsten (Artifical Light): 3200K

Question 7

F-Stop or Aperture/Iris

Answer 7

The aperture of a lens is basically the size of the opening that lets light into a lens.
Measured in F-Stops.
Smaller the FStop, the bigger the opening of light
Lower the FStop: more shallow depth of field

Question 8

F-Stop List

Answer 8

1
1.4
2
2.8
4
5.6
8
11
16
22

Question 9

ISO/Gain

Answer 9

Used to boost the light sensitivity of the camera to allow you to film in darker environments.
When ISO or gain is high: noise or fuzziness is introduced to the image.
Used when you have no control over the light (concert, street interviews)

Question 10

Camera Department Roles

Answer 10

Cinematographer/DOP, Camera Operator, Camera Assistant/ Focus Puller, 2nd Assistant Camera, Grip (Key Grip, Best Boy, Dolly Grip)

Question 11

Info on a clapperboard

Answer 11

Prod. Title, Director, Camera Op, Scene, Take, Roll, Date, Timecode, Day/Night, INT/EXT, MOS (shot without sound), Sync/Non-Sync

Question 12

Long/Wide shot

Answer 12

Used to show your subject in grand landscape.
Gives us an idea of the character within the geography but also emotionally.
Uses a ‘wide angle lens’- anything under 50mm lens.

Question 13

Medium Shot

Answer 13

Waist up and through the torso.
More emphasis on subject, but still reveals environment.
Dialogue scenes.

Question 14

Close Up

Answer 14

Captures character’s emotions and reactions.
Gives significane to an object.
Important moments to create an emotional connection between subject and viewer (facial expressions)

Question 15

Aspect Ratios

Answer 15

4:3 or 1.33.1 (Square)
16:9 // 1.85:1 (Almost identical)