If you’re a regular Shutterbug reader you know that we constantly preach the value of developing a unique photographic style, and this is true for beginners and advanced shooters alike. In the tutorial below from the Street View YouTube channel, you’ll learn how to get started today.
There are two basic reasons why a style all your own is a big advantage: One is that your photos will stand out from the crowd. The other is that, over time, your imagery will become recognizable by others who view your work—and more attention will come your way.
Instructor Rupert Vandervell is a British pro specializing in fine art street photography, but what you’ll learn in this episode is equally helpful for just about any images you shoot. He puts it like this: “Developing a personal style can be one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of learning photography. And the feeling that the pictures you make truly represent who you as a person can be very liberating.”
Vandervell says this is a goal for all serious creatives, whether they’re musicians, writers, artists or filmmakers. “They all strive to create something that represents their way of seeing, thinking or performing.” And in this age of media saturation and AI technology, it’s essential that photographers do the same.
Admittedly, establishing a personal photo identity can be difficult, but Vandervell explains several methods for getting the job done. And don’t worry if you’re just getting started, because Vandervell says, “even the most casual shooter out there has something about them that makes the pictures they take unique to them.”
If you think about it, everyone has a different way of seeing the world, and that’s what makes human beings so fascinating. Or as Vandervell says, “You can give five people a camera and one subject, and you’ll get back five different renderings.” This is the jumping off point for developing your unique style.
The suggestions that follow pertain how you view the world and using that perception to advantage. In Vandervell’s case, his imagery is known for clean lines, geometric shapes, and a very stark look, because “that’s influenced by aspects of my personality.” The unique style you create by following his advice will undoubtedly be different, but no less important to your growth as a photographer.
There’s much more to see and learn on Vandervell’s YouTube Channel, so take a look after watching this lesson.
Ever wondered what makes a professional broadcast camera so expensive and huge when other cameras can now easily fit in your pocket or phone and cost less and less?
In this article I will discuss the reasons for this discrepancy, some of which will surprise you.
There are several reasons why TV cameras are so expensive, some of which have to do with the size. And this has not changed in decades. Let’s discuss.
Old broadcast camera being used on a set
The Cost and Size of TV Camera Lenses
Well, one major contributor is the lens.
A top-notch broadcasting lens can cost as much as $200,000. You see, these lenses are designed to capture objects kilometers away with high precision. This requires long focal lengths which aren’t cheap.
Understanding Focal Lengths in Broadcast Lenses
Besides being pricey, these lenses need valuable zoom capabilities coupled with a large focal range. This means having par-focal capability – maintaining focus when changing zoom levels without any loss in clarity or detail, which is not cheap.
Components that Contribute to Lens Size
A broadcast camera lens with a 900mm focal length and an f4.5 max aperture necessitates an optical diameter of 200mm, thus requiring a larger box housing to fit all components needed for operation, including electronics that control zooming or focusing. This means a larger box housing is needed to accommodate all the necessary components:
An array of electronic parts controls various functions like zooming or focusing.
Motorized servos provide smooth transitions between different scenes.
Premium quality glass elements ensure sharp image capture even from long distances, among other factors contributing to their hefty sizes and prices.
The Role of Electronic Parts Within Broadcast Camera Lenses
In addition to the mechanical aspects, numerous electronics are involved in each unit. These include processors that control motor movements based on input signals received via remote controls, sensors that monitor light levels and adjust accordingly, maintaining optimal exposure throughout usage. All these factors combined result in the large-sized bulky devices commonly used across media houses globally today.
Role of Image Stabilization
In addition to all this complexity, there’s also image stabilization at play. Image stabilization ensures clear shots even under unstable conditions.
In our next section, we’ll dive into another component contributing significantly not only to the size but also weight: The Tripod used for Broadcasting Cameras.
The Design and Functionality of Tripods in Broadcasting
Let’s dive into the world of broadcasting tripods. A tv tripod may cost $15,000-$20,000.
A massive tripod and head
These aren’t your average photography stands. They’re the superheroes of stability. And these bad boys can handle any weather – rain or wind, they’ve got it covered. They include a fluid head that is like the fine fluid head on a prosumer camcorder, but on steroids.
Adjusting Dampening Levels on Broadcast Tripods
Dampening levels are a critical feature to understand when it comes to professional-grade tripods used in broadcast settings.
Some tripods offer adjustable resistance for smooth panning and tilting movements during filming.
This precise control over movement is vital, especially while capturing fast-paced action or making subtle changes without disrupting the shot.
Breaking Level Controls on Professional Tripods
In addition to dampening adjustments, breaking level controls play an equally important role.
They provide stability by locking the tripod head position firmly once the desired framing is achieved. This helps maintain consistency throughout recording sessions, avoiding accidental shifts that could potentially ruin shots.
Professional-grade tripods have a robust build quality with heavy-duty materials designed to withstand rigorous use in harsh environments, ensuring longevity and reliability under demanding shooting conditions.
Bulkiness vs Stability: The Trade-Off In Broadcast Camera Setup
No doubt these features make the setup more cumbersome, but they are a necessary evil due to their advantages being greater than any potential drawbacks. Particularly in live broadcasts where there are no second chances at capturing moments with perfect precision, utmost importance is placed on stability.
Understanding the design and functionality of broadcasting equipment like tripods can help you better appreciate the complexities behind producing high-quality video content.
Monitors & Remote Controls: Essential Tools for Broadcasting Cameras
A professional broadcast camera setup is incomplete without a high-quality monitor, which can easily cost $2000.
This integral part of the system not only adds to its overall size but also plays an essential role in delivering live telecasts with precision and clarity.
Monitor Displays: Precision and Convenience
Monitor displays on broadcast cameras are meticulously designed for accuracy and user-friendliness. Besides offering enhanced control over visual output, this function helps maintain accuracy throughout lengthy filming sessions by reducing strain on operators’ eyes and necks due to constant adjustments required for ideal framing.
Their generous size allows for easy tilting, while offering quick access controls like focus peaking, contrast, and saturation. No need to fiddle with lens settings and risk disrupting ongoing recording sessions.
Remote Control Operation
Broadcasting camera setups often include remote control operation systems. This nifty feature allows operators to adjust various parameters from a distance, minimizing disruptions during filming sessions. You have to avoid touching the lens while adjusting focus or other settings during live telecasts. Highly precise motors come into play here. They operate the camera remotely, ensuring smooth transitions between scenes without abrupt changes that could disrupt the viewer experience.
Advantages of Remote-Operated Motors in Live Telecasting
You might be thinking: “What makes these remote-operated motors stand out?”
Precision: These motors offer unmatched precision, making subtle alterations on-the-fly for perfect shots.
Flexibility: With remote controls, operators have the freedom to move around, especially useful for covering large events or moving subjects.
Safety: Avoiding direct contact with expensive equipment reduces the risk of accidental damage, a significant concern when dealing with high-end broadcast gear.
Now, let’s dive into another crucial aspect of professional photography: the intricate process of building a broadcasting camera body. This will give us insight into the features that make these cameras distinct from those made for general consumers.
The Complexity Behind a Broadcasting Camera Body
When it comes to professional broadcast cameras, the body is more than just a shell.
It’s an intricate piece of technology that houses several advanced features not found in consumer-grade devices. Cameras may cost $5000 or more.
Unique Features Present in Professional Grade Cameras
Sophisticated Imaging Sensors:
Broadcasting camera bodies are equipped with advanced imaging sensors.
This allows them to capture high-quality images under various lighting conditions and deliver superior image resolution compared to standard digital cameras.
Lightning-Fast Circuitry:
The circuitry design within these camera bodies is another unique feature.
Complex circuits help process data at lightning speed, ensuring seamless recording even when capturing fast-paced action.
Efficient Heat Dissipation:
Professional-grade broadcasting cameras come with better heat dissipation mechanisms.
This prevents overheating during prolonged use and contributes significantly towards maintaining optimal performance levels.
Despite their compact size relative to other components like lenses or tripods, the role of the camera body should never be underestimated.
Each element housed within this small space plays a crucial part in delivering exceptional results under demanding shooting conditions.
While implementing all these sophisticated elements does take up some space inside the device, they’re absolutely necessary for excellent performance.
Conclusion
Broadcast TV cameras are large and expensive for a reason. It is due to the environment and requirements of live tv, where equipment and operator errors are not forgivable. From the giant lenses to heavy duty perfectly smooth tripods, they are a great piece of engineering. Looking at the prices mentioned, a full broadcast camera setup can run $250,000 or more. Click the following link to learn whether camera tripods are universal.
Shallow depth of field is a popular technique for all types of images because it accentuates a main subject and separates it from the background. This effect can be achieved in the camera with careful focusing and wide aperture settings, but today you’ll see how to get it done in Photoshop with a minimum of work.
Instructor Dave Kelly is a successful professional photographer who is generous about sharing the secrets to his success, with straightforward shooting and editing tutorials for shooters of all skill levels. He says, “I love shallow depth of field, and today I’ll show you how to use Photoshop’s Depth Blur Neural Filter to create shallow depth-of-field effects.”
Kelley uses two photos to show how to get the job done. One is an environmental portrait and the other is a tight nature shot of flowers. He begins with the former by clicking on Filters at the top of the Photoshop screen and choosing Neural Filters from the dropdown menu. He then selects the Depth Blur option in the subsequent window and clicks on the toggle switch to activate the filter.
As you’ll see, Photoshop begins processing the image immediately, and the transformation is really fast. His model remains sharp while both the foreground and background are significantly softened. You can also click on a Depth Map button that converts the image to different shades of gray and depict the various levels of focus in the effect that was created.
As you’ll see, there are several sliders available for refining the effect. Smith explains which of these he finds useful and why he tends to ignore the others. He also demonstrates how he employs the sliders to get the exact look he’s after—typically concentrating on the eyes in a portrait shot.
Once he’s happy with the portrait Kelly turns to the floral shot that was photographed with an iPhone. Here too, the image will greatly benefit by carefully limiting the depth of field. By clicking on Focus Subject, the Neural filter immediately focuses on the three flowers closest to the camera, while those further away now have a nice soft appearance.
As you’ll see, the Depth Map option makes this really clear. As with his first shot, Kelly demonstrates a few quick adjustments to refine the effect. Bottom line: Photoshop’s Depth Blur Neural Filter works wonders, and it does so really fast
DSLRs are becoming a rarity these days, for reasons you’ll see in the video below. If you’re already using a mirrorless camera, or plan to get one in the near future, this tutorial is a must see.
Instructor Simon d’Entremont is a professional nature and wildlife photographer based in Eastern Canada who is always up to date on the latest gear. In this episode he explains why mirrorless cameras are so popular and demonstrates a few pro tips for achieving optimum results. You can see a complete list of the gear he prefers in the description beneath the video.
Simon touts the advantages of mirrorless cameras like this: “They have benefits inherent in their design that open up new technology and user interface opportunities that people really like.” He then makes a comparison bwtween these camera and DSLRs, illustrating the key differences in both form and function. This way the tips he provides later make complete sense.
One area in which mirrorless cameras have made great strides is in autofocus capability, with some models using a hybrid of two types of autofocus; Phase Detect and Contrast-based. This combination can result in faster acquisition and greater precision under a wide variety of conditions. Simon says another advantage is how focus points cover the sensor and the field of view.
With the above information in mind, you’ll see how Simon uses the focus system in his mirrorless cameras to nail focus every time. Another feature that’s been popularized in mirrorless cameras is Eye Auto-Detect which locates and locks focus on the eyes of a subject. Simon explains why “this has been a huge win for portrait and wildlife photographers “when 99% of the time getting eyes in focus is what’s critical.”
According to Simon, another important advantage of mirrorless cameras is their ability to display a real-time exposure preview in the electronic viewfinder that, unlike with a DSLR, compensates for your camera settings. This preview allows you to adjust exposure while looking through the viewfinder until you see what you want.
Simon demonstrates several important tips for making the most of this very helpful capability. He also explains how to customize the camera’s display options so that the most important shooting information appears in the viewfinder.
As you’ll see, there are other advantages of mirrorless cameras, and Simon describes those he considers the most important. But the real meat of this lesson are the tips he provides for using these features to maximum advantage.
