CAMERA SETTING ESSENTIALS:
FOR BEGINNERS
Setting up your camera for the first time?
Here are some useful tips.
Just bought some new gear? or want to know how to optimise your camera? When you first start using your camera it can be both daunting and super exciting. There is so much to learn and so many terms and technical details it can seem overwhelming. This guide will simplify that process for you and just get you started as quickly as possible so you can get to the fun stuff of experimenting and shooting. So without further a do, Let's do this!
In this article we will cover the items in this checklist below, if you don't understand some of the aspects of this checklist, keep reading, if you do already, this little checklist is something that I will always go through when setting up my camera for every single setup.
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CHECKLIST: |
FORMAT: |
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1. Medium 2. Format 3. Resolution |
Social Media/Film PAL/NTSC 4K or 1080p |
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4. Frame Rate |
24/25/30/highspeed |
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5. Shutter Speed |
1/50th or dbl Frame Rate |
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6. Aperture |
f/2.8 - f/5.6 or higher |
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7. ISO 8. White Balance |
Lowest possible (use native ISO) In camera/custom |
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9. Stabilization |
On/Off/ Gimbal |
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10. Focus |
Continuous AF/Manual |
SUMMARY OF CONTENT:
- Choosing your camera
- Choosing your medium
- Region settings
- Frame Rate
- 4k or 1920?
- Shutter speed
- ISO and Exposure
- White balance
- Stabilization
- Focus
First DSLR
Full Frame DSLR
Over 10K Camera
Chris Cowan uses a Sony rx100 m3 to shoot this awesome Homage to My hero Academia
Team Red Pro use an a7s miii to shoot a cool fight scene.
CHOOSING YOUR MEDIUM
If you are specifically making a video for social media and only for a Reel on instagram then you would shoot everything to suit the best format for that medium. For example, I would shoot vertical format, 4k at 30fps.
If you want to have flexibility to post it on an array of different social media, but it is only for social media then you would shoot it at 4k @24 or 25fps.
If you wanted it for a wider 'cinematic' release you would want to to shoot at at least 4k @24fps, RAW/Log.
If you wanted to shoot it for Previz, then you could choose either 4k or 1920x1080p and vary it depending on your needs and then vary your frame rates from 24fps to slow motion when needed.
So knowing what you are specifically shooting your content for will impact the type of settings you create on your camera.
REGION SETTINGS
Usually first thing I check on my camera is which region I have set it to.
Usually in the settings tab.
It is normally advised to shoot in the format that the country you are in uses. i.e. I am in Australia so I would use PAL.
If you would like to know more about PAL or NTSC and why there are different formats check out this useful information here.
FRAME RATE
If you are shooting for a more cinematic look use 24fps.
If you are shooting for Instagram only use 30fps
If you are shooting for a variety of formats (social media, cinematic release, previz) shoot at either 24fps or 25fps.
If you are shooting anything slow motion, play with your camera's capabilities to get the desired effect.
Depending on what frame rate you are shooting at will then set you up to adjust your shutter speed.
If you'd like to deep dive into frame rates check out this amazing video made by studio binder:
1920x1080 vs. 4k vs. BEYOND
Depending on how much hard drive capacity you have, your SD card capabilities and your end product will depend on whether you shoot in Standard HD (1920x1080) or 4k and beyond. I personally switch between them when needed.
For example, if I need to shoot something that I think I will need to reframe or do some post vfx on with punch in's or if I will use it for vertical social media etc. I will try and shoot at 4k to give me more flexibility in post. Otherwise if I know I will only use the shot relatively as is then I would shoot at standard HD (for previz and youtube etc.)
Check out this video to check out 4k and 1080p comparisons from different cameras:
WHITE BALANCE
The easiest way to pick the right colour in camera for a beginner is using the presets in camera.
If you go to settings and pick a neutral style picture format.
Then in the colour temperature settings pick the desired temperature to suit the major light source of that scene.
if there are tungsten lights mainly lighting the scene use that setting.
If you want to give a different stylistic effect with the colour you can play with these settings or create a custom Kelvin setting for your desired look.
If you can't decide or don't trust your eye pick the closest one you think and try and shoot your footage in log or Raw, this will enable you to have a lot more flexibility in post to change the temperature later.
If you would like to do it as accurately as possible, use a grey card. Check out these videos if you want to do some deep diving, in order of beginner to advanced:
SHUTTER SPEED
The easiest way to pick the right shutter speed is to x2 your frame rate. So whatever frame rate you are using say 24fps, you would generally look at using 1/48th shutter speed or 1/50 (dependent on what your camera is capable of). They also measure this by angle too, so in this case you would use a shutter angle of 172.8
if you are shooting at 50fps you would use a shutter of 1/100 or 180 degrees. Check out the video below for a more in-depth understanding:
Aperture: Managing Focus in Dynamic Scenes
Aperture controls the depth of field, which is the area of your image that appears in focus. A wider aperture, indicated by a lower f-number such as f/2.8 or f/4, can be used to create a shallow depth of field. This effect helps to isolate the action by blurring the background,(this blur effect is called bokeh) drawing the viewer's attention to the performers. This technique can be particularly useful when filming in locations that are visually cluttered or less appealing, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the fight choreography and the performers' expressions.
However, it's important to be mindful that a shallow depth of field can make it more challenging to keep all performers in focus during fast movement. With a very narrow depth of field, even slight movements towards or away from the camera can result in a performer going out of focus. Depending on the complexity of your scene and the lens you are using, you might need to adjust your aperture to a slightly narrower setting (higher f-number) to ensure that all key performers remain sharp throughout the action. If you are shooting outdoors in bright sunlight and desire a wide aperture for a shallow depth of field, you may encounter the issue of overexposure. In these situations, a Neutral Density (ND) filter becomes an essential tool. An ND filter reduces the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to shoot with a wide aperture in bright conditions without overexposing your footage. If I need to use an ND filter, I generally use either the in-built camera ND's or if I need to attach one, I will use a variable ND filter, it makes it easier to quickly adjust what ND I need for the shot. The choice of aperture involves balancing the aesthetic desire for a shallow depth of field with the practical need to maintain focus on the moving action. Action directors need to carefully consider the choreography, the number of performers, and the available lighting when deciding on the most appropriate aperture for each shot. Utilizing aperture creatively can also enhance the storytelling of a fight scene. For instance, focusing sharply on a single performer's intense gaze while their opponent is slightly blurred in the background can heighten the emotional tension and draw the viewer into that character's perspective. As a general rule of thumb for myself, I often start by shooting Cowboy's to wide shots at an aperture of 5.6f and vary it according to the feel I need for the shot. If I am shooting close ups with mainly acting beats I bring the F stop down to 2.8-4.
ISO: Minimizing Noise in Your Footage
It is generally best practice to keep your ISO setting as low as possible, ideally within the range of ISO 100-800, to minimize the appearance of graininess or digital noise in your footage, especially when shooting in darker environments. ISO controls your camera sensor's sensitivity to light. When the ISO is increased, the sensor becomes more sensitive, allowing you to capture brighter images in low-light situations. However, this increased sensitivity comes at the cost of introducing digital noise, which can make your footage look less professional.
To maintain a low ISO and achieve a clean image, it is crucial to utilize available light effectively or consider adding external lighting to your scene. Even a simple lighting setup can make a significant difference in the quality of your footage by allowing you to keep the ISO low and avoid unwanted noise. While a higher ISO can be a necessary compromise when shooting in very low light, it should be used judiciously as it can significantly degrade the overall image quality. Action creators should prioritize good lighting practices to avoid having to rely on high ISO settings. Understanding the limitations of ISO and the importance of proper lighting is fundamental to achieving a professional look for your fight scenes. Even the most dynamic and well-choreographed action can be visually undermined by noisy, poorly lit footage. When shooting inside, or inside a studio this can be a real challenge. I would recommend doing some tests with your camera first before shooting a fight scene to understand at what ISO your image will start falling apart and become too grainy to use. Some of my older canon's I couldn't use an ISO of 3200, but the newer ones are still okay at 6400. Most of the Sony range now a days will have great low light capabilities and you can push the ISO quite high without noise being a factor. Make sure you find out what your camera's base ISO is and this will be a great starting point to understand how far you can push it's limits.
Image Stabilization: Keeping the Action Steady
If you are planning to shoot handheld, you may need to take advantage of the camera's or lens's image stabilization feature. This technology helps to minimize the effects of minor camera shake, resulting in smoother footage. For more dynamic shots or when you desire smoother camera movement, such as when tracking a performer's movement, consider using a gimbal or other stabilization equipment. A gimbal is a motorized stabilizer that actively compensates for camera shake, allowing you to achieve fluid and professional-looking tracking shots and other dynamic camera movements. If you are using a gimbal or doing a static shot on a tripod make sure you turn off any digital stabilization you have on your camera/lens before using the gimbal. Normally using a gimbal and the in-camera stabilization at the same time the footage will do weird things as the camera mis-interprets where it is in space.
The level of stabilization required will depend on the specific shot you are trying to achieve. For static shots with minimal camera movement, the in-camera or in-lens stabilization might be sufficient. However, for more complex and dynamic shots where the camera is moving significantly, a gimbal will likely be necessary to achieve truly smooth and professional results. Investing in a good stabilization system can dramatically improve the production value of your action footage. You can imitate certain high production value shots making them similar to a crane movement or stedicam shots without blowing your budget. Definately a worthy investment as it will make your scene look more polished and professional, and ultimately more engaging for your audience.
Focus Settings: Tracking the Action
To ensure your performers remain sharp as they move through the fight choreography, using your camera's autofocus features can help. But I would encourage you to start with learning how to pull focus and practice this first. It will ensure that you can have this skill without the reliance on autofocus. Many times action can be too fast moving for autofocus to be easily utilized, there can be too many moving elements in a shot for it to detect where to focus properly. However, if you are shooting with a shallow depth of field and the subjects are not moving too much, using the autofocus can be super handy. It can also help you to shoot quickly, if you are pushing in rapidly on a centre framed main focus, there are autofocus modes that help you to 'stick' to one subject. Many Canon and Sony DSLRs offer advanced autofocus modes like Canon's Movie Servo AF or Sony's Real-time Eye AF, which are designed to continuously track moving subjects and maintain focus. So play with both and you will find which to use for each situation. If your subjects are out of focus, your take will often be unusable, so it is critically important to get focus right.
Putting It All Together: Practical Tips for Filming Fight Scenes with Your DSLR
Planning is paramount. Plan your shots, angles, and desired camera movements in conjunction with the fight choreography. Consider how different lens choices (e.g., wide-angle to capture more of the environment, telephoto to isolate the action) can impact the look and feel of your scene. Pay attention to framing and composition to create visually dynamic shots that enhance the impact of the action. Remember that practice makes perfect. Spend time experimenting with your camera settings and practicing different shooting techniques to become comfortable and confident behind the lens. Finally, don't overlook the importance of sound recording. Even if you plan to add sound effects later, capturing clean audio on set can significantly enhance the overall immersion and impact of your fight scene.
|
CHECKLIST: |
FORMAT: |
|
1. Medium 2. Format 3. Resolution |
Social Media/Film PAL/NTSC 4K or 1080p |
|
4. Frame Rate |
24/25/30/highspeed |
|
5. Shutter Speed |
1/50th or dbl Frame Rate |
|
6. Aperture |
f/2.8 - f/5.6 or higher |
|
7. ISO 8. White Balance |
Lowest possible (use native ISO) In camera/custom |
|
9. Stabilization |
On/Off/ Gimbal |
|
10. Focus |
Continuous AF/Manual |
Conclusion:
By understanding and thoughtfully adjusting these fundamental camera settings on your Canon or Sony DSLR, you can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your fight scene footage. Experiment with these techniques, refine your skills through practice, and unleash the full potential of your DSLR to capture thrilling and professional-looking action sequences that effectively showcase your talent and vision.
