Camera Anatomy

Camera Anatomy

When preparing to film any form of media it is important to know how to use the filming equipment correctly, this is to ensure that no footage is lost and that multiple retakes can be avoided after filming has finished. Below is a diagram of a camera and specific components that the camera operator needs to think about when controlling a camera:

When filming it is important to follow the following acronym: S. W. E. F. F.

This stands for:

S - Sound

W - White Balance

E - Exposure

F - Focus

F - Framing

Sound

The first thing to consider is whether to record audio or not, no audio can be as impactful as a full audio piece. Audio can be recorded using an internal mic on the camera or an external microphone (see picture). 

When using an external microphone, it is important to check that the mic is connected to the camera using channel 2. Then check the audio levels whilst wearing headphones to ensure that the audio is clear and not distorted, if there is then the recording levels need to be changed. Another sound to listen for is  unwanted audio such as an electric hum or background chatter which can easily ruin shots and can be hard to filter out during editing.

White Balance

Not all lights are the same colour, so it is important to tell the camera what colour

the lights are, this is done by adjusting the white balance on the camera. Firstly, holding a pure white sheet of paper in front of the camera and ensuring that all that is seen through the eyepiece or LCD screen is the white paper. Then press the small AWB (Automatic White Balancing) button at the front of the camera below the focus ring and the iris ring. This will make the LCD screen go momentarily black, and then it will return to the correct view and should now have the correct colour balance. If it has not balanced, the image will appear either more blue or more orange than what we can see with the naked eye. White balancing must be done every time the light changes.

Exposure

Exposure is how bright or dark an image is as shown in the image on the right, if the image is overexposed it will have blow out highlights and appear very white. If the image is underexposed then it will have crushed shadows and appear very dark. Zebra lines will help to identify areas that are over exposed, this button is found where the LCD screen pulls out. To get the best image on camera, twist the iris ring until there is a well exposed image through the eyepiece, refrain from using the LCD Screen when doing this as it doesn't give the best representation. Also when shooting anything outside, using the ND filters can be useful to stop down the light. The ND filters switch is found just above the iris ring on the side of the camera.

Focus

Focus is the area of an image that is sharp and catches the audiences eye. The main focus in the image below is the Queen chess piece, she is the most  

  

powerful chess piece but the King is the most important, however the photographer wants the audience to focus on the Queen. When focusing, use the zoom wheel to zoom right into the subject and then spin the focus wheel until the image is sharp and crisp. When using a human on screen, it is best to zoom into their eyes (many believe that eyes are the windows to the soul) and use the focus wheel to make them crisp and sharp. If the subject moves closer or further away from the camera, the focus will change as focus is determined by the distance of the subject from the lens. It is important to make sure that every shot is in focus as it is disorientating for the audience and can also look unprofessional.

Framing

Now that the Sound, White Balancing, Exposure and Focus are configured, it is now time to compose the shot. This is done by following basic video aesthetics:

• Headroom - head of the subject is comfortably in the frame with space above.
• Leadroom - is the space in front of, and in the direction of moving or stationary subjects.
• Lookroom - the space between the subject and the edge of the screen.

Framing also includes the appropriate camera angle and field of view, e.g. CU, MS, WS and if it is canted, high or low angle.

By following the 5 steps of S.W.E.F.F. all footage captured should be useable and look professional.