Workshop: The Cinema Camera

We begin by examining cameras, from phone to IMAX, as a set of connected systems: power, image taking, interface, mount, processor, display, storage, lens system, accessories, and physical attachment points. Students are then shown the manipulation of images with the common controls of cameras. We explore the interaction between gain and noise, aperture and depth of field, focal length and depth of field, stability, and compression, shutter speed and motion blur. We introduce the division of labor of a multi-person camera crew, and how to perform these roles solo. We close with best practices for the care and feeding of camera equipment and handling of media in the field. The session is camera-agnostic; but guides for specific cameras are provided, and questions about specific camera systems, lenses, and accessories are typically handled in the Q&A afterwards.