DSLR Video Tips: Technical Knowledge

Course details

Do you want to become more proficient with DSLR video? Knowing the technical side can make it easier to set up gear, be more creative, and get your shot right on the very first take. These tips provide answers to the most common questions videographers encounter when shooting with DSLR cameras. Learn how frame size and frame rate, aspect ratio, codecs, cropping and compression, and the "exposure triangle" (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) affect the look of your footage. DSLR Video Tips hosts Rich Harrington and Robbie Carman also help you troubleshoot common problems with video: when shots are too dark, too jittery, or impacted by rolling shutter and moiré. Plus, get tips on effective data management and setting up multicamera shoots for more complex productions.

Learning objectives
Choosing a frame size and frame rate
Shooting 16:9
Cropping video
Adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
Mastering exposure
Avoiding rolling shutter and moiré
Checking focus
Managing data in the field
Transferring footage
Achieving critical focus
Setting up multicamera shoots

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome

1. Which Frame Size Should I Use

02 - Frame size recommendations

2. Which Frame Rate Should I Shoot

03 - Exploring frame rate choices
04 - Frame rate recommendations
05 - Mixing frame rates

3. What Is the Impact of Compression

06 - Understanding color loss
07 - Understanding detail loss

4. What Is Aspect Ratio

08 - Understanding aspect ratio
09 - Why shoot 16 - 9

5. Can I Crop Video

10 - Composition matters
11 - Exploring the action-safe area

6. Why Is My Shot Too Dark

12 - The exposure triangle for low light
13 - Adjusting aperture
14 - Adjusting ISO
15 - Adjusting shutter speed

7. How Do I Master Exposure

16 - Exposure
17 - The exposure triangle
18 - Evaluating the settings

8. How Do I Master Aperture

19 - What is aperture
20 - A DP's perspective on aperture
21 - Adjusting aperture
22 - Evaluating the shots

9. How Do I Master Shutter Speed

23 - What is shutter speed
24 - A DP's perspective on shutter speed
25 - Adjusting shutter speed
26 - Evaluating the shots

10. How Do I Master ISO

27 - What is ISO
28 - A DP's perspective on ISO
29 - Adjusting ISO
30 - Evaluating the shots

11. How Do I Control Exposure Beyond the Camera Settings

31 - Controlling exposure beyond camera settings
32 - Adding light
33 - Adding filtration

12. What Causes Rolling Shutter

34 - What is rolling shutter
35 - Avoiding rolling shutter

13. What Is Moir

36 - Moir explained
37 - Avoiding moir

14. Why Does My Footage Jitter

38 - Shutter speed explained

15. How Can I Check My Focus

39 - How can I check my focus
40 - Zooming in
41 - Using a target
42 - Using autofocus at the start

16. How Should I Manage My Cards in the Field

43 - How should I manage my cards in the field
44 - Using card wallets
45 - Mirroring your data

17. How Do I Transfer My Footage

46 - How do I transfer my footage
47 - Monitoring your footage

18. How Do I Achieve Critical Focus

48 - Achieving critical focus
49 - Punching in on Live View mode
50 - Using a loupe
51 - Using autofocus before the shot
52 - Using a monitor
53 - Changing the aperture

19. How Can I Read a Waveform Monitor and Vectorscope in the Field

54 - Scopes
55 - Reading the histogram
56 - Reading a waveform monitor
57 - Reading a vectorscope

20. How Do I Prepare for a Multicamera Shoot

58 - Preparing for a shoot with multiple DSLR cameras
59 - Scouting the location
60 - Lighting for multiple cameras
61 - A DP's perspective on multicamera lighting
62 - Matching cameras

21. How Do I Do a Multicamera Shoot

63 - Doing a shoot with multiple DSLR cameras
64 - Positioning the cameras
65 - Syncing the cameras
66 - Directing the shoot