WHITE BALANCE

The white balance setting in the camera aligns it to the available light conditions and enables the camera to give an accurate colour rendition of the scene. The daylight (exterior) and interior presets are adequate for most situations. However, manually setting the white balance will provide the most accurate colour rendition of your scene.

To manually set the white balance - zoom in on a white object (paper, t/shirt) until it fills the screen. Press the White Balance button to set the reading. Reset the white balance each time the light conditions change (eg. when moving from indoors to outdoors).

LIGHTING

With the later model mini DV cameras lighting is almost unnecessary BUT video has a lower contrast ratio when compared to film.

3 or 4:1 for video as opposed to 20:1 for film

Note: the human eye can handle a ratio of 100:1

If you are compressing for delivery (CD-R or internet), a well lit image will give you a crisper end result.

• 3 source approach - key, fill and backlight
• KEY - main light source
• FILL - secondary source, less intense, provides modelling and helps reduce the contrast ratio
• BACKLIGHT - separates subject from the background and helps provide definition

The fill and backlight provide scope for creative lighting so have some fun with it.

At the very least:

• Keep your subject brighter than your background
• Place your camera between your subject and the sun
• If outdoors - place the camera between your subject and the sun
• Indoors - turn on all the lights
• Open curtains (increase ambient light)
• Don’t shoot directly into windows and doors