Guidelines for Shooting

You can actually find these guidelines in the Image and Shooting Composition notes for the class.  I am repeating them here for quick reference...

1. Keep shots steady, you cannot fix it in the edit or post production
           Use a tripod, use some kind of steading object, shoot steady shots.
           If you want a shot to shake you can make that happen in post production

2. Shoot twice as many close up shots as medium shots or wide shots 

           Close ups give you a lot more options when you are editing sequences

3. Shoot for eye contact  

           Looking into someone's eyes is the most interesting way to look at them within a frame  

           You will get lots of shots without eye contact but always get the shots with eye contact as well

4. Shoot at the eye level of the subject in the shot  

           only shoot at other angles when you are trying to make some sort of statement or create an effect

5. Compose the shot dynamically, while the action is unfolding in front of the camera  

           if you just point the camera without thinking the shot will not be usable in a sequence  

           the camera can do lots of technical thinking but it cannot compose a meaningful image or shot

6. Hold the shot long enough to edit so give yourself about 10 seconds before and after a camera move

7. Shoot around the angles of view, the world is three dimensional and your variety of shots should reflect that fact  

           imagine there is a sphere around the subject and get different shots on spots around the sphere.

8. You shoot far more video than you will ever use in a production.  A basic rule is 30 minutes of video for 1 minute of a final edit, so making it generally applicable means shooting 30 units of time for every one unit of time in the final production.

9.  Make a plan before you start shooting but be ready to improvise the plan while you are shooting  

           Know what you want to capture but be prepared for the unexpected.

10. Otto (auto) is not your friend  

           Do not rely on Auto Focus, Auto Exposure or Auto Gain to capture the audio and video  

           Use your brain and ability because you are smarter than the camera and microphone  

           Only use auto settings when you know what the results will be.

Keep these in mind and you will be able to get the shots that will lead to sequences.

Dr. W