HANDS-ON EXERCISE

The following hands-on exercises are designed to assist you in practising the various lessons in this section. Where constituted, you’re encouraged to carryout this exercises in groups for collaboration and effective results.

Exercise 1: Advanced Camera Settings Practice

• • Objective: Master advanced camera settings to enhance video quality.
  • Instructions:
    1. Set up your camera with different white balance presets and manual adjustments. Record the same scene under various lighting conditions and compare color accuracy.
    2. Experiment with different focus modes (AF-S, AF-C, and MF) by recording moving and static subjects. Review the footage to assess focus accuracy and performance.
    3. Record footage at various frame rates (24fps, 30fps, 60fps) and higher frame rates (120fps, 240fps) for slow-motion effects. Evaluate the smoothness and visual impact of the footage.

Exercise 2: Depth of Field Manipulation

• • Objective: Understand and utilize depth of field for creative control.
  • Instructions:
    1. Use a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8) to capture footage with a shallow depth of field. Focus on a subject and observe the background blur.
    2. Switch to a narrow aperture (e.g., f/8) and record a scene with a deep depth of field. Ensure that both the foreground and background are in sharp focus.
    3. Compare the effects of different focal lengths (wide-angle vs. telephoto) on depth of field and subject isolation.

Exercise 3: Using Filters for Creative Effects

• • Objective: Apply filters and accessories to achieve specific visual effects.
  • Instructions:
    1. Use a Neutral Density (ND) filter to record footage in bright conditions with a shallow depth of field and/or motion blur. Evaluate the effect on exposure and depth of field.
    2. Apply a polarizing filter to outdoor scenes and compare the impact on glare reduction and color saturation.
    3. Use a Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter to balance exposure in a landscape shot with bright skies and darker foreground. Assess the exposure balance and visual effect.
    4. Experiment with color grading filters to achieve different looks and moods. Record and compare footage with various color grades.

Exercise 4: Stabilization Techniques

• • Objective: Achieve smooth and steady footage using stabilization tools.
  • Instructions:
    1. Record a sequence of shots using a handheld camera. Observe and note the amount of camera shake and instability.
    2. Repeat the recording using a stabilizer or gimbal. Compare the smoothness and stability of the footage.
    3. Try different types of camera movements (e.g., tracking, panning) with and without stabilization equipment to assess the impact on footage quality.