MIDTERM

• A smartphone is probably the most convenient camera you can have.
• First things first: Get to know your camera. Test out its various modes (panorama, video, etc.) in different

  conditions – like low light, direct sun, and when your subject is moving – to see what the different modes excel at and

  where they fall a little short.
• Focusing

  Many phones have basic cameras that use a focus-free system (which means pretty much everything stays in

  focus all the time).
• Zooming

  you can use to capture small or distant objects.
• Scene modes are a great way to take better photos in specific situations.
• Grid: The smartphone can display a rule of thirds on the screen to help you compose your photo.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range): This mode helps you capture more detail in the shadows and highlights of your

  photos. Generally, it will only work when your subject isn't moving.
• Many smartphones have a flash to help you take low-light photos.
• Some smartphones allow you to apply effects to your photos, which can include black-and-white,

  tinted, or vintage filters.
• Front-facing camera: The smartphone has a second camera just above the screen. This makes it easier to take

  a photo of yourself, since you can see the screen while you're taking the photo.
• Composition is the placement or

  arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a

  work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work.
• One of the most practiced techniques in composition is the rule of thirds.
• NATURAL LIGHT

  • Light can have a big impact on the look and feel of your images.
• Three light directions

  Front

  Side

  Back
• SPACE

  Negative space is a term used in photography that refers to empty space in the image.
• Color can play a huge role in your images!
• Frames have the bonus feature of adding cool visual interest

  to your shot.
• Lines are hugely powerful elements! Whether it's wavy, straight or curved or

  implied (like a line created by loosely spaced people),
• ISO controls the light sensitivity of a camera.
• Shutter speed is how slow or fast the camera shutter

  closes.
• EV is simply the exposure value
• Focus lets you choose between auto and manual.
• Auto will automatically focus on what the camera sees fit and will work for most normal

  photos.
• Manual mode lets you adjust a slider to change the focus distance.
• White balance adjusts the color temperature.
• Video production is a powerful form of visual storytelling.
• PRE-PRODUCTION PRODUCTION

  PLANNING

  Before you begin production (shooting video), it is helpful to organize

  your project so that you know what shots you will need, who you will

  need to interview, and what events or activities you want to record.
• Storyline

  WHAT: What is the plot or main story

  that you want to tell?
• Events/Action

  WHERE/WHEN: What activities or

  events will you need to include in your

  video? How will this action add to your

  story? What information will it tell the

  viewer about the people in the video?
• Subjects

  WHO: Who are the people who will be

  in the video? Why are they important to

  the story?
• Theme/Message

  WHY: Why is it important to tell this

  story? What will the viewer learn from

  watching this video? Why is it important

  to you as the filmmaker to tell this par-

  ticular story?
• B-roll includes shots that you will need to

  use in the editing room to mask the cuts

  that you make in your interviews.
• A storyboard is a visual representation

  of the shots that will make up your vid-

  eo.
• A shot list writes out every shot you

  anticipate needing for your production.
• Framing relates to how you will compose

  each shot, giving consideration to the

  people and activities within the scene.
• In order to draw the viewer’s attention,

  divide the screen into a grid and using

  the rule of thirds position your object

  or person of interest slightly away from

  the center of the frame.
• Headroom

  People’s heads should be positioned

  about a third of the way down the frame

  and to the left or right of center.
• Nose Room

  Think about the gaze of the person you

  are filming. You want more space in front

  of the person than behind, so they have

  room to interact with the people or envi-

  ronment before them.
• Diagonal or Z-Axis

  Look for lines that are diagonal instead

  of horizontal or vertical.
• Camera height and angle can dramati-

  cally affect the viewer’s impression of

  the person on screen.