Initial Camera Experiences

On Thursday 20th and Friday 21st September I was able to start experimenting with the camera, tripod and dolley during media. I worked with my table group to produce a short clip with all of the angles, shots and movements. Overall, I found the camera simple to turn on, insert the tape and get started.
Imperatively, it was the camera angles and shots that I felt were the easiest to get right as they involve keeping the camera on the tripod as using your hands to keep the camera still make it too wobbly! The camera shots that we tested were:

• Extreme long shot
• Long shot
• Mid shot
• Two shot
• Close up
• Point of View shot
• Extreme close up

Additionally, the camera angles and movements that we experimented with were:

• Over the shoulder angle
• High angle
• Low angle
• Tracking shot
• Sideways tracking
• Tilt shot
• Zoom
• Arc shot
• Crane shot
• Panning shot

I didn't find the movement shots particularly easy as they often required moving the camera with your hands and I don't have a steady hand. However, I had never used a dolley before but despite this I thought it was easy to use and after a few attempts managed to get a decent tracking shot of a portrait on the wall. I think the dolley will be easier to use on a smooth surface though because the carpet was bumpy and provided an uneven surface for it to be moved on.