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10.4: Zooming, Focusing and Exposure

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    306540
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    Digital video cameras all come with convenient automatic features as the default settings. Unless you’re a “camera person,” you probably won’t ever switch to manual settings. And that’s fine; let the camera do the heavy lifting for you.

    Focus: The automatic focus feature means that when you turn the camera on, it will automatically focus on whatever you’re pointing the camera at. This will suffice for most of your shots. The only time it might not be good enough is when you are shooting something complicated where there are multiple subjects moving within the frame. Still, the automatic setting will probably produce a better picture than you could using the manual focus dial unless you already have photography skills.

    Zoom: Most new cameras have a powerful zoom that is easily manipulated with a rocker button on the top of the camera. Set the zoom before beginning to record and then only zoom when absolutely necessary — and as slow as possible. If you are shooting someone talking, don’t zoom at all. Ever. If you want to have different angles and compositions, do separate shots.

    Exposure: Most cameras also come with automatic exposure, which will give you the appropriate lighting in most circumstances. If you are shooting in especially low light, try switching to manual exposure and allowing more light (this will open up the iris). Check the operating manual for information specific to your camera.


    This page titled 10.4: Zooming, Focusing and Exposure is shared under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Mark Briggs via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.