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 All Forums >> [Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials] >> General Tips, Tricks, and Techniques >> Newbie Findings. | Page: [1] |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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Hi Guys :) My first post here. I am almost a complete newbie but wanted to share something I found that might help other newbies. Experienced guys, if I am wrong then don't hesistate to say so! No offence taken :) I will run through my findings. I am using a Sony HDR-SR5E that was hooked up to my TV. I left the camera on Auto everything. - I used a 150 watt light (One of those cheap yellow hardware ones) and the image looked ok on the TV but the recorded image was much darker and grainy. Ok so more light needed. - Next I tried with a 500 watt lamp and the light colours blew right out. Ok so less light needed. - Then I had the idea of turning the Auto Exposure off and manually lowering it. That made real improvments. So I found that Strong light and turning the exposure down was better than less light with the exposure turned up (Which is what leaving it on Auto does to compensate for low light) Weak light - High Exposure = bad Strong light - lower exposure = better Maybe this will help some other newbies. Again if the experienced guys could confirm this or say if it is wrong please do! Anyway, pleased to meet you all. DJ is awesome; I have learned so much from here already. |
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Newbie Findings. - 
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Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
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Welcome to the forums, Bruce. The key to good video is indeed the right amount of light. What is "the right amount?" An adequate amount to ensure the camera is operating with no gain added and preferably in the F4 - f8 range of Iris. Lesser lenses, such as those found on consumer and prosumer cameras have more inherent flaws in the glass so performance at f8 - f22 is likely to show off lens limitations such as less optically "pure" glass, while "wide open" such as f2 may show off the "lesser" PART of the lens, which is typically the outside section. Gain is an electronic boosting of signal unrelated to the amount of light striking the image sensor and creating current, which is then transferred as video data. Gain is bad for images and creates lack of colour fidelity (washed out colours) as well as lack of gradation in the overall image. As well, it creates increased "mosquito noise" which is the "buzzing bees" looking artifacting that occurs in the darker areas of the image. As well, gain causes black levels to become raised, becoming grey or in some cases brownish. The problem with TOO much light is lower priced imagers (such as those found in $400 DV camcorders) cannot handle high contrast as well and will tend to "blow out" the highlight detail, causing it all to become a uniform washed-out white. Balance is require for technically good exposure. Which brings up the topic of ARTISTIC light. When lighting a subject, careful consideration should be given to how much brighter the foreground subject should be in relation to the background, or else you get the classic "deer in the headlights" look. But that is a discussion for another day! Again, welcome Bruce and post often. (in reply to Stinky) |
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David Hebel Posts: 3992 Joined: 4/24/2003 From: Currently in Bangalore, India Status: offline
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Good tips Stinky.. I think generally most pro's don't use Auto Exposure probably for the reasons you describe (among other reasons). I don't know a lot about cameras (almost nothing), but I remember Viv (president of DJ) telling me about tricky situations shooting weddings when the windows of the church would cause havoc on the auto iris. Welcome to the forums, stick around. < Message edited by David Hebel -- 4/14/2008 11:55:35 AM > (in reply to Stinky) |
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Cheesesteak Posts: 201 Joined: 9/17/2007 From: Media, PA Status: offline
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Welcome to the forums Bruce. You will find lots of talent and experience here (myself excluded). That was a great explanation Shaun. The more I read on this forum, the dumber I realize I am! _____________________________ Peace, Bob (in reply to David Hebel) |
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Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
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quote: Not at all. Remember, I used to TEACH this stuff as well as doing it professionally for 10 years. And at 10 years, I'm a newbie compared to some of the talented folks on here... PS. This post gained me the 5th Orb! (in reply to Cheesesteak) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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Thanks a bunch for that info Shaun! I partially know what you mean about the range of the Iris from watching DJ videos. Unfortunately my camera doesn't give me those controls (makes me realise I should have a done a lot more reearch before buying a camera hehe). But I will definately keep what you say in mind for my next camera! I have also seen the Gain mentioned in the vids. It almost sounds like and increase in gamma. I am definately learning that lighting is a LOT harder than it looks. When I don't light the wall behind me at all I do get that 'Deer in the headlights' look lol. So I am quickly finding out what you mean about balance. I am still getting the WOW factor when I try something simple like that and my video improves dramatically. Thanks very much for the welcome :) Bruce (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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Thanks kindly David! It seems that the pros like to control all functions of the camera and I am learning why. I found that even simple pans that the lighting can change dramatically if everything is left on auto. I deinately will stick around. At 44 I feel like a kid again with this new interest in video making :) (in reply to David Hebel) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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Thanks Bob :) I spent most of the night just reading through the forums. I really liked the fact that people aren't rude or abusive to newbies which has put me off a lot of other sites. (in reply to Cheesesteak) |
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Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
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quote: Gamma affects only the linearity of the mid tones, leaving blacks and highlights intact. Gain raises EVERYTHING by a factor. For example, 6dB of video gain multiplies the current (and therefore the overall image brightness) by a factor of 2; blacks, mids, whites... all of them. (in reply to Stinky) |
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Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
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quote: Nah, we're just rude and abusive to you once we figure you won't leave because of it! Some great HEATED debates on here. And some NOT so great, but we're all creative types here and that sort of thing is bound to happen. (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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quote: ROFL. A sort of right of passage. Heated debates can be good because you can learn so much. Or get really confused! _____________________________ Complete Idiocy and Immaturity. http://au.youtube.com/user/StinkyKnobcheese (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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Ahh. So the washed out looked could potentially be even worse. The more I learn the more I need to learn.
_____________________________ Complete Idiocy and Immaturity. http://au.youtube.com/user/StinkyKnobcheese (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
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mptribe Posts: 4460 Joined: 7/10/2007 From: Sanford, FL Status: offline
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Shaun, As always a wealth of information. I had not heard that lighting should be such that the camera should operate between F4-F8. Great bit of information. We are always struggling with lighting at Church and generally run our cameras at 2.4 - 2.8 and my PD-170 at 3.4, but it is difficult to get a shot that I think looks really good. It is not horrible, but it could be so much better. I will be looking to see if we can make some adjustments to get the lights where we need to, but it could also be a case that we don't have enough to cover the area we are trying to cover. Bruce, Welcome to the forums. Please post often. Now Birdcat has to contend with a second Bruce (at least that I'm aware of, sorry if others exist here and I don't know you) on the forums. < Message edited by mptribe -- 4/14/2008 1:36:46 PM > _____________________________ Marc (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
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mptribe Posts: 4460 Joined: 7/10/2007 From: Sanford, FL Status: offline
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quote: The thing about those debates is making sure to word your posts correctly (not to suggest that you wouldn't). I am guilty of not properly proofing my posts from time to time and they get taken the wrong way or they post when I really should have not posted. I am working on getting better at this. So if I post something that offends anyone, please PM me and let me know and accept my apologies up front, but I will do my best not to. _____________________________ Marc (in reply to mptribe) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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quote: Thanks for the welcome Marc :) Definitely! I have gotten myself in trouble quite a few times with not wording things properly. _____________________________ Complete Idiocy and Immaturity. http://au.youtube.com/user/StinkyKnobcheese (in reply to mptribe) |
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David Hebel Posts: 3992 Joined: 4/24/2003 From: Currently in Bangalore, India Status: offline
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n00b 
(in reply to Stinky) |
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Matt Posts: 5743 Joined: 5/15/2003 From: Oak Ridge, NC Status: offline
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I never use auto focus, auto exposure or auto white balance. Try and learn the functions of your camera and do everything manually, if done right your images will be much better. When starting out you can always switch over to auto and get a general idea on what the settings should be. I also try to never use gain unless absolutely necessary, gain adds noise to the video. I personally would rather open up to 2.8 then use gain, I haven't noticed the lens problems Shaun spoke of, but they are probably there, I don't think they would look as bad as gain though. Keep experimenting, that is the best way to learn. Welcome to the forums. _____________________________ mattjanowsky.com (in reply to David Hebel) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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quote: LOL My secret is out! _____________________________ Complete Idiocy and Immaturity. http://au.youtube.com/user/StinkyKnobcheese (in reply to David Hebel) |
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wizard Posts: 6029 Joined: 2/15/2006 From: New Hampshire, USA Status: offline
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quote: Yes, you wouldn't want to "cling to a thought religiously" (at least that's what I've been told) unless you're from Pennsylvania. - LOL Welcome Bruce - hope you're here often.  _____________________________ Pops (in reply to mptribe) |
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Elen Posts: 1261 Joined: 7/19/2007 Status: offline
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quote: Bruce, my feelings exactly!!! especially the details of equipment and how to stuff. But I think that learning keeps life exciting! _____________________________ 75% Juiced (in reply to Stinky) |
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Stinky Posts: 56 Joined: 4/14/2008 From: Australia Status: offline
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quote: Your Spot On Elen! Half the fun is the learning :) _____________________________ Complete Idiocy and Immaturity. http://au.youtube.com/user/StinkyKnobcheese (in reply to Elen) |
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Aspyrider Posts: 668 Joined: 11/8/2007 From: South Mississippi Status: offline
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Shaun, ever thought about producing a DVD of tips and tricks for videographers? With your knowledge and teaching experience you could produce a great tutorial DVD! Yes, there are several out there, but you get into the meat and explain things very well. Plus you can produce it yourself. Might make you some cash? Consider it buddy, you have everything you need. :-) J. _____________________________ “Want to make your computer go really fast? Throw it out a window†-Unknown (in reply to Stinky) |
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Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
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Thanks, J. I've had an invitation or two to do exactly that. Let's see where that goes...
(in reply to Aspyrider) |
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