Index

Numbers

32-bit operating system, 205

180 degree rule, 106

720p high-definition, 50, 51

1080p high-definition, 50, 51

A

AC adapter, 36

adapter rings, 80–81

add-on gear, 13–14

adjustable tension controls, 44

Adobe

Media Encoder, 257

Premiere Elements, 213, 256

Premiere Pro, 205, 220–222

Advanced Video Coding High Definition (AVCHD) format, 28

AGC (Automatic Gain Control) option, 60–61, 180

Analyze clip feature, 230

angles

composition and, 92–97

from multiple cameras, 108

for shooting video, 17

types of, 101–103

aperture

adjusting for video, 48–49, 60

depth of field and, 22, 41, 84, 138–139

features of, 38, 73–74

focus and, 5, 23, 84

prime lenses and, 74

rings/manual control, 144–146

zoom lenses and, 40

Aperture Priority mode, 59

Apple

Compressor, 206, 255, 257

iMovie, 212, 214, 256

QuickTime, 203, 254, 256

archiving video data, 193

aspect ratio, 51

audio, recording

adjusting levels, 60–61

bit depth, 178

dual system sound, 184–187

guidelines, 176

improving, 11, 14

internal microphone, 180

lavalier microphone, 181–182, 183

microphone placement, 183

microphone polar patterns, 179

monitoring, 188–189

on-camera microphone, 181

sampling rate, 178

setting channels, 177

audio syncing

automatic, 226

DualEyes, 227

manual, 223–225

audio transitions, 229

audio waveform, 223

audiometers, 189

auto filters, 231

auto white balance, 55, 57

autofocus, 83, 143

Automatic Gain Control (AGC) option, 60–61, 180

automatic video compression, 257

AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) format, 28

B

background

creating soft, 5, 7–8, 12, 139

techniques for, 79–80

backing up footage

card reader for, 193–194

of finished project, 252

hard drive for, 195–201

organizing footage, 202–204

transcoding option, 205–207

transferring footage, 201–202

workflow for, 192–193

backlight, for three-point lighting, 171

backup drive, 192

ball leveling, 44

batch processing, 256

batteries, 35–36

bit depth, 178

black drives, 199

blurring

causes of, 78

shutter speed and, 72–73, 150

stylized. see bokeh

body size, camera, 26

bokeh. see shallow depth of field

brightness, LCD screen, 27

built-in syncing tools, 226

bus power, 194, 199

bust shot, 100

C

camera configuration

assignments on, 65

frame rate, 52–53

frame size, 50–51

Picture Styles/Controls, 61–64

shooting mode, 59–60

for shooting video, 48–49

volume controls, 60–61

white balancing, 55–59

camera settings

depth of field and, 22, 41, 73–74, 84

exposure and, 131–132

cameras

LCD screen, 26–27

prior investment in, 25

recording format, 27–28

recording length, 28–29

sensor resolution, 30

sensor size, 30–31

size/weight of, 25–26

Canon

EOS-1D X, 141

EOS 5D Mark II, 141

EOS 7D, 51, 62–63, 81

cardioid pickup pattern, 179

ceremonies, lighting at, 141

CF (CompactFlash) cards, 33

challenge, of video, 7

channels

for recording audio, 177

unwanted color and, 244, 245

chargers, 35–36

China Ball lanterns, 165

Cineform Studio/NeoScene, 206, 252

cinematic composition

180 degree rule, 106

eye line and, 104

rule of thirds, 104–105

sequencing shots, 106–107

clapboard, 186, 223

clapping hands, 187, 223

clips

adding to tracks, 217–219

selecting/loading, 216–217

close-up shot, 100

cloud coverage, 122

cloudy white balance preset, 56

color

correction vs. grading, 236

tools for adjusting, 230–236

Vibrance adjustment, 71, 232

video vs. photo, 54

color cast adjustment

contrast repair, 243

unwanted color, 244–246

Vectorscope for, 242–243

Color Corrector effect, 234

color temperatures

Hue wheel control of, 246

indoor shots and, 163

sunlight and, 118

white balancing, 58, 118, 163–164

Common Media folder, 204

CompactFlash (CF) cards, 33

composition

assignments on, 111

cinematic, 103–107

defined, 91

multiple cameras for, 108

repeating action, 108–109

shot angles, 92–97, 101–103

shot list, 110

shot types, 98–100

compression

automatic, 257

preview, 256

in recording format, 27–28

tools for, 255–257

video vs. photo, 54

concerts, lighting at, 140

connection port, for card reader, 194

connectivity, portable drive, 199

content/story review, 251

contrast

creating, 8–9

Curves adjustment for, 68–69

for outdoor shots, 130–131

repairing, 243

Controls, 61–64

convenience, of DSLR cameras, 6

cost consideration

choice of lens, 36, 41

compression tools, 256–257

DSLR value, 6

editing software, 212–213

electronic viewfinders, 88

fast zoom lenses, 142

lower f-stops, 74

tripod heads, 43

Creative COW website, 215

cropped sensors, 31, 32

Curves adjustment

for contrast, 68–69

features of, 233

lifting shadows, 71, 131

underexposure and, 237–239

Custom White Balance mode, 163–164

customer support, editing software, 215

D

data transfer

to backup/edit drives, 192

workflow, 201–202

daylight-balanced lightbulbs, 166

daylight shooting

assignments on, 133

challenges, 113

clouds and, 122

color correction for, 114–115

contrast for, 130–131

filters for, 132

lens flares, 123–126

location choice, 119–120

proper exposure, 131–132

sunlight issues, 116–122

underexposure and, 127

daylight white balance preset, 56, 57

depth of field

aperture settings and, 22, 41, 73–74, 84

control over, 7–8

in low lighting, 136–139

sensor size and, 30–31

shallow. see shallow depth of field

Digital Photography Review, 38

digital recorders. see external audio recorders

dimmer, for fill light, 170

diopter, 85

direct sunlight white balance preset, 56, 57

dragging technique, 217, 218

drive speed, 198

Drobo Pro external drive, 200

dropping frames, 34

DSLR video cameras

add-on gear, 13–14

aesthetic benefits, 7–9

assignments on, 19

drawbacks, 11–12

popularity, 6–7

technical benefits, 9–10

dual mono audio system, 177

dual system sound

advantages of, 184

dedicated recorder for, 185

smartphone application for, 185

syncing audio, 186–187

DualEyes, Singular Software, 227

Dutch angle shots, 103

E

earbuds, monitoring audio and, 188–189

edit drive, 192

editing, nonlinear

adding transitions, 227

adjusting color/exposure, 230–236

assignments on, 247

automatic audio sync, 226

DualEyes syncing audio, 227

exposure problems, 237–241

fixing color casts, 242–246

importing media, 216

Insert edit for, 221–222

manual audio sync, 223–225

overview, 209–211

Overwrite edit for, 220–221

selecting/loading clips, 216–217

software choice, 212–215

targeting tracks, 217–218

editing software

for backup copies, 252

cost, 212–213

customer support, 215

ease of use, 213

options, 214

supported file formats, 214

for viewing footage, 203

electronic viewfinders, 87–88, 143

emotional impact, of sequencing, 107

equipment

AC adapters, 36

assignments on, 45

batteries/chargers, 35–36

camera features, 25–31

full-frame sensors, 30–31, 141

lens features, 36–41. see also lens(es)

loupes, 14. see also loupes

memory cards, 31, 33–34

monopods, 22–24

tripods, 14, 42–44, 114, 142–143

ergonomics, camera, 25–26

exposure

aperture setting and, 60

assignments on, 89

control over, 131–132

external monitors and, 86

fixing overexposure, 239–241

fixing underexposure, 237–239

loupes improving, 84–85

sunlight and, 119–120, 127–130

tools for adjusting, 230–236

viewfinders and, 87–88

zoom lenses and, 40

exposure triangle

aperture in, 73–74

ISO in, 75

for low lighting, 144–145

overview, 72

shutter speed in, 72–73

extension cables, 86

external audio recorders

advantages of, 11, 14, 177

bit depth, 178

for dual system sound, 185

external drives, 200

external microphones, 11, 14, 181

external monitors, 86

eye level recording, 102

eye line, 104

eyedroppers, 244–246

F

f-stops. see aperture

Facebook, publishing on, 265–267

facial details, key light and, 170

Fast Color Corrector effect, 234

feature-limited software, 205

field monitors, 86

file formats, 254–255

fill light, 170–171

filmic images, 8–9, 72, 74

filters, 125, 132

Final Cut Pro X

editing tool, 212, 220–222, 229, 230, 236

importing media, 216

transcoding and, 205, 206

fine cut review, 251

FireWire interface, 194, 196, 211

fixtures, China Ball, 165

Flash Video file format, 255

flash white balance preset, 56, 57

Flat option, in Picture Styles, 63–64

flesh tone line, 243

flexibility, LCD screen, 27

fluid-head tripods

features of, 14

for low-light shots, 143

selection of, 43–44

fluorescent lights, 166, 168–169

fluorescent white balance preset, 56

focal lengths, 32, 39, 40

focus

aperture settings and, 23, 60, 138–139

assignments on, 89

challenges, 12

external monitors and, 86

light/motion impacting, 78

loupes and, 84–85

for low lighting, 143

maintaining, 83–84

manual, 143

rack focusing, 80–81

setting, 81–82

shallow depth of field, 76–77, 79–80

viewfinders and, 87–88

footage

backing up. see backing up footage

Common Media folder, 204

importing, 216

selecting, 203

transferring, 192, 201–202

viewing, 203

foreground, 79–80

Fotodiox, 80–81

frame rates, 52–53

frame size, 50–51

framing subjects, 104–105, 135

full-frame sensors, 30–31, 141

Full HD, 50, 51

G

getting coverage, 98

H

H.264 file format, 28, 254, 255

handles, 18, 228–229

hard drives

editing and, 218

external, 200

importance of, 195

interface types, 196–197

internal, 199

portable, 198–199

speed, 198

HDMI cables, 86

headphones, 188–189

heads, tripod, 43–44

height, tripod, 44

Hi-Speed USB 2.0, 197

high angle shots, 102

high-definition (HD) video formats, 50–51

highlights, 69, 70, 127, 130

histograms, 127–129

hood, for lens protection, 124–125

HTML5 file format, 254

Hue wheels, 244, 246

hypercardioid microphone pickup pattern, 179

I

incandescent white balance preset, 56, 57

indoor shooting

additional lighting, 164–169

adjustments for, 160–161

assignments on, 173

available lighting, 162–163

information sources, 172

overview, 157–159

three-point lighting, 170–172

white balancing, 163–164

Insert edit command, 221–222

interface types, hard drive, 196–197

internal drives, 199

internal microphone, 180

intervalometer., 154

investment, on camera, 25

ISO settings

adjusting for video, 48–49

changing for focus, 84

dedicated button for, 147

high, for low-light shots, 136–137

raising for low lighting, 146–147

testing upper limits, 148–149

visible noise and, 75

J

JPEG files, 54

K

Kelvin scale, 118

key light, 170

kilohertz (kHz), 178

Kino Flo fluorescent lights, 168, 169

L

Lanternlock fixture, 165

lavalier microphone, 181–182, 183

LCD screens

criteria for, 26–27

loupes and, 84–85

swivel, 85

LED lights, 167–168

lens flares

blocking light, 125–126

causes of, 123–124

filters and, 125

hood protection, 124–125

positioning and, 126, 127

lens(es)

aperture, 38. see also aperture

clean, 125

focal length, 32, 39, 40

for low lighting, 141–142, 144

manufacturers, 36–38

used, 41, 80–81

zoom vs. prime, 40–41, 74

Levels adjustment, 232, 239–241

Lexar memory card reader, 193

light. see also sunlight

backlight, 171

fill, 170–171

for focus, 78, 84

for indoor shots, 162–164

key, 170

loupes and, 85

low, 10

temperatures, 58, 118, 163

lights

China Ball lanterns, 165

fluorescent, 168–169

overhead, 164

practical, 164

professional, 169

reflector clamp, 166

shop/work, 166

Live View function, 26, 35, 163–164

location, daylight shots and, 119–120

long-term storage, 193

loupes

focus/exposure and, 14, 84–85

low lighting and, 143

outdoor shots and, 130

viewfinders with, 87–88

low-light shooting

adjusting for, 136–139

assignments on, 155

common scenarios, 140–141

with DSLR cameras, 10

equipment, 141–143

lowering f-stop, 144–146

overview, 135

raising ISO, 146–149

shadows and, 151

shutter speed adjustments, 150–151

sunrise/sunset, 152–153

time-lapse photography, 154

M

manual aperture ring, 145–146

Manual mode, 59–60, 72, 143

manually set white balance, 56, 58

manufacturers

audio recorder, 185

lens, 36–38

professional lighting, 169

tripod head, 44

master shot, 98

material, tripod leg, 44

medium close-up (MCU) shot, 100

medium shot (MS), 99

medium wide shot (MWS), 99

megapixel count, 30, 54

memory cards

format, 33–34

function of, 31

mounting, 192

need for, 11–12

number of, 33

reader for, 193–194

speeds, 34

microphone(s)

external, 11, 14, 181

internal, 180

lavalier, 181–182, 183

on-camera, 181

placement, 183

polar patterns, 179

rub, 183

shotgun, 176, 179, 181

Microsoft

Expression Encoder/Expression Encoder Pro, 257

Windows FAT32 file system, 28

Windows Media file format, 255

monitors, 86, 217–219

mono audio system, 177

monopod, 22, 23, 24

motion

blurring, 72–73, 78, 150

impact on focus, 78

sequencing of, 15–16

shutter speed and, 72–73, 150

zooming in, 98

Motion JPEG format, 28

MPEG-4 file format, 254, 255

MPEG Streamclip, 206, 257

MS (medium shot), 99

multichannel audio system, 177

multiple cameras, 108

multiple slots, in card reader, 194

museums, lighting at, 141

MWS (medium wide shot), 99

N

National Television System Committee (NTSC) standards, 53

neutral (ND) density filter, 125, 132

Neutral option, Picture Styles, 63–64

nifty-fifty lenses, 39, 142

night shooting, outdoor, 141

Nikon

D7000 frame rates, 53

full-frame sensor, 141

NIKKOR lenses, 142

older prime lenses, 81

Picture Styles options, 62–63

prime lens, 74

noise

ISO settings and, 75, 148–149

minimizing, 176

nonlinear editing. see editing, nonlinear

NTSC (National Television System Committee) standards, 53

O

older prime lens, 81

older software, 205

omnidirectional pickup pattern, 179

on-camera microphone, 181

online video, 253–257

operating system, for viewing footage, 203

original equipment manufacturer (OEM) lenses, 36–38

outdoor shooting

daylight and. see daylight shooting

at night, 141

over-the-ear headphones, 188–189

overcranking, 53

overexposure, 119, 127–130

overhead lights, 164

overhead shots, 103

Overwrite edit command, 220–221

P

paper lanterns, 165

pasting technique, 217

patch panel interface, 217

performances, lighting at, 140

Phase Alternating Line (PAL) standards, 53

Photo JPEG format, 28

photography tripods, 43, 44

photos

in setting focus, 81

videos vs., 54, 130–131

Picture Styles, 61–64

PluralEyes, Singular Software, 226

polar (pickup) patterns microphone, 179, 183

popularity, of DSLR cameras, 6–7

portable drives, 198–199

portable Super-Speed USB 3.0, 198

positioning

for composition, 108

lens flares and, 126, 127

shop lights, 166

power, 35–36

practical lights, 164

practice, in focusing, 83

presets

in compression tools, 255

white balance, 55–57

prime lenses, 41, 74, 142, 144

Pro Audio To Go application, 185

Program shooting mode, 59

Q

quality checks, 250–251

Quick Look option, 203

Quick Preview feature, 203

R

rack focusing, 80–81

recording devices. see external audio recorders

recording formats, 27–28

recording length limitations, 28–29

recording sound. see audio, recording

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) configuration, 195, 200, 211, 218

reference image, for white balance, 58–59

reflections, 160, 161

reflector, 121

reflector clamp light, 166

repeating scenes, 18, 108–109

resolution, 27, 30, 54

resources, 172, 270

Rode VideoMic Pro, 181

Rogue FlashBender, 126

rough cut review, 251

rule of thirds, 104–105

S

safety issues, 165, 166

sampling rate, 178

scoops, 166

Secure Digital (SD) cards, 33–34

selects, 203, 204

sensor(s)

cropped, 31, 32

full-frame, 30–31, 141

resolution, 30

size, 30–31

Serial ATA (SATA) interface, 197, 218

server-class drives, 199

shade white balance preset, 56, 57

Shadow/Highlight adjustment, 130, 231

shadows

Curves adjustment, 71, 131

fill light for, 170–171

preserving, 161

sunlight and, 116–117, 119–120, 122

utilizing, 151

shakiness, 40

shallow depth of field

challenge of, 12

for close-ups, 100

creating, 76–77

desirability of, 4, 7, 30, 38

foreground/background, 79–80

for framing, 41, 135

shop lights, 166

shotgun microphones

polar patterns of, 179

pros and cons of, 181

recording with, 176

shots

list of, 110

sequencing, 106–107

types of, 98–100

Shutter Priority shooting mode, 59

shutter speed

adjusting for video, 48–49, 60

guidelines, 72–73, 151

for low lighting, 150–151

lowering for focus, 84

unique adjustments, 151

Singular Software, 226, 227

size

camera, 26

LCD screen, 26–27

sensor, 30–31

video, 253

slate application, 187, 223

sliding base plates, 44

slow-motion effects, 53

slow processors, 205

smartphone application, 185

softbox diffuser, 170

software tools, for transcoding, 206

Source Monitor, 217–219

speed(s)

card reader, 194

hard drive, 198

memory card, 34

portable drive, 199

spreader bar, 44

stability

loupes and, 85

shoulder rigs and, 136

tripods and, 14, 44, 114, 142–143

standard-definition video format, 50, 51

Standard option, Picture Styles, 60, 63–64

stereo audio system, 177

Sun Seeker: 3D Augmented Reality Viewer, 120, 121

sunlight. see also daylight shooting

bouncing, 121

challenges of, 116–117

color temperatures and, 118, 163

explained, 117

location and, 119–120

tracking, 120–121

sunrise/sunset, lighting at, 141, 152–153

Super-Speed USB 3.0, 197, 198

surround sound, 177

swivel LCD screen, 85

sync-sound audio track, 224–225

synchronizing audio

automatically, 226

DualEyes for, 227

in field, 186–187

manually, 223–225

T

tapeless workflow, of DSLR cameras, 11–12

Technicolor CineStyle, 62

temperature, color, 58, 118, 163

tension controls, adjustable, 44

third-party codecs, 252

third-party lenses, 36, 38

three-point editing, 218–219

three-point lighting, 170–172

three-stage tripods, 44

Three-Way Color Corrector, 235

time-lapse photography, 154

Timeline, 218–219

timing, shooting video and, 17–18

transcoding

minimizing, 206–207

need for, 205

software tools, 206

transitions

handles for, 228–229

video/audio, 229

tripods

fluid head for, 43–44, 143

low lighting and, 140, 142–143

need for, 42

photo head vs. video head, 43

selection of, 44

stability of, 14, 114, 142–143

tungsten white balance preset, 56

Twitter, 268–269

two-stage tripods, 44

U

Ultra Direct Memory Access (UDMA) rating, 34

underexposure, 127–130, 237–239

Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, 197

used lenses, 41, 80–81, 144

used professional lighting equipment, 169

UV filters, 125

V

variable ND filter, 132

Vectorscope, 242–243

vendors, China Ball lantern, 165

Vibrance adjustment, 71

video compression. see compression

video footage. see footage

video publishing/sharing

backup copy, 252

feedback and, 249–250, 251

quality checks, 250–251

for Web viewing. see web video files

video quality vs. photo quality, 54, 130–131

video transitions, 229

video tripod heads, 43

viewfinders, 14, 87–88, 130

Vimeo, 262–265

visual interest, of sequencing, 106

Vivid option, Picture Styles, 63–64

Vivitar prime lens, 144

volume controls, 60–61

W

wall power, 36

web video files

compression tools for, 255–257

Facebook hosting, 265–267

file format for, 254–255

overview, 253

Twitter hosting, 268–269

Vimeo hosting, 262–265

YouTube hosting, 259–262

weddings, lighting at, 141

weight, camera, 26

Westcott Spiderlite, 168, 169

white balance

automatic, 55

color temperatures for, 58, 118, 163–164

for indoor shots, 163–164

manually setting, 56, 58

presets, 55–57

reference image for, 58–59

wide shot (WS), 99

work lights, 166

workflow

data transfer, 201–202

footage organization, 204

video project, 192–193

X

XLR audio connector, 182

Y

YouTube, publishing to, 259–262

Z

Zacuto Z-Finder, 85

Zoom H4n recorder, 185

zoom lenses

features of, 40

lens flares in, 124

in low lighting, 142, 146

zooming in, 82, 98