cinematography How to use my camera to it's fullest.

Blanc/Noir

Blanc/Noir

Hello I'm new to these forums and my friends and I are starting to make short films. I'm the camera man and the camcorder I'm using...is well not that good. For it's price it's OK but for filming I don't think it's up there at all.

I am using a Canon FS200 and I was wondering some techniques and that sort of stuff I could use to try to get a more cinematic look to scenes.

Sincerely,

Blanc/Noir
 
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Focus your research on lighting...much of what's know in the DV world as "the film look" can be accomplished with proper lighting rather than settings on your camera.
 
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All camcorders can use the physics of light and glass to achieve that Shallow Depth Of Field look we all love.

  • Move the subject away from the background
  • Light the subject well
  • Move the camera far away from the subject
  • zoom in on the subject

You will see the background is blurry. thats one good trick.
 
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Lighting is as much an art as writing, directing, composing, etc. There are specific ways to light specific scenes to create specific moods, but no one complete all-encompassing answer.

Do a search for "3 point lighting" and start there. A very basic 3 point setup would be a large light in front of and to one side of the camera (called the key light), another (usually weaker) light in front of and to the other side of the camera to fill in the shadows cast from the key light (called the fill light) and a third light behind and above the subject to define the subject's edge apart from the background (called the hair light or the backlight.)

As an exercise, take a look as some stills from your favorite films and try to figure out how they were lit.
 
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Man thanks for the help. I also happen to live in metro detroit. If you are having any premieres you can pm me about them.

Also do you know any good film programs that high schoolers can take around metro detroit.
 
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wheatgrinder said:
All camcorders can use the physics of light and glass to achieve that Shallow Depth Of Field look we all love.

  • Move the subject away from the background
  • Light the subject well
  • Move the camera far away from the subject
  • zoom in on the subject

You will see the background is blurry. thats one good trick.
Click to expand...

This is most simply tried outside on a nice day.
 
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Uranium City said:
Focus your research on lighting...much of what's know in the DV world as "the film look" can be accomplished with proper lighting rather than settings on your camera.
Click to expand...

Do this. Also learn production design. Good lighting and a dressed set (even location) can go a long way to upping the level.

Blanc/Noir said:
Thanks man. What about black and white? Do these same aspects apply?
Click to expand...

Even more so. Lighting B/W is an art unto itself. Always de-saturate in post, but light and adjust for it in camera.

Blanc/Noir said:
Can these lights use halogen bulbs? If not would incandescent actually light very well or not?
Click to expand...

No. They can use a wide variety of incandescent bulbs, spots, floods, etc.

That's a pretty solid camera, and a decent candidate for one of a variety of lens adapters should you choose to go that route. Don't obsess over those yet though.
 
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