Camera Workshop 1

In our first camera workshop, we learnt how to set up a camera with all the different components for shooting. We used the camera Black Magic 4k Mini URSA Camera in this workshop.

We first learnt how to set up the tripod and adjust the different levels (height). It is important to always begin with the bottom of it the tripod to adjust the height. 

We were then taught how put all the different parts together such as the pan handle and the breaks. The pan handle allows you to adjust the angle of the camera (up, down and side to side) and the the breaks allow the camera to stay steady. The breaks are called the pan lock and tilt lock.

The pan handle is on the right side of the centre of the tripod which can be identified by a small yellow circle. We learnt how to bubble the tripod so our shots won't be unintentionally tilted. This is done by moving the air bubble into the middle of the yellow centre circle which is done by adjusting the bolt underneath the tripod to the right. 

We placed the camera onto the tripod by putting the tripod shoe on top in line with the top of the tripod. The button on the side of the tripod shoe needs to pressed to ensure the tripod shoe can slide in line with the top of the tripod which then needs to be locked using the bolt. The camera can be removed by undoing the bolt, pressing the button and sliding the camera backwards towards yourself. 

We then were taught how to adjust the white balance, focus and exposure of the camera which allows us to shoot in different environments. Focusing the camera is done by adjusting the focus wheel to zoom into a focal point. The focus wheel is the smaller wheel of the two wheels (focus and zoom wheel). By using the zoom wheel, it will make sure that everything is in focus which can be done by zooming out of the shot. The exposure and aperture relates to the lighting which can be changed by adjusting the blue latch underneath the camera lens. This is helpful as for example, shooting outside in daylight will require a different white balance, exposure and focus to shooting inside with dark lighting. The white balance relates to all the colours used in a shot involving lights. For example, the sun has a blue tint to it in a shot therefore changing the white balance on the camera at the top of the screen where is says WB with a number allows you to adjust the different pre sets.