I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Camera Operations

2. Course Prefix & Number:
VPRO 1114

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course will introduce incoming students to professional camera operations. Safe handling of equipment will be emphasized. Instruction will include standard functions critical for professional-level video & DSLR camera operation; focus, color balance, audio, exposure and power. Introductory shot composition and motion picture sequencing will be examined. A variety of broadcast-level cameras will be explored. This course will introduce students to operations, functions and menus used in current video & DSLR cameras.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):

Videography Production AAS
Videography Production, Diploma
Graphic Design, AAS
Graphic Design, Diploma
Graphic Design Media Technologies, Diploma
Photographic Imaging Technology, AAS
Photographic Imaging Technology, Diploma
Photographic Technical Services, Diploma
Portrait Photography, Certificate

 

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Utilize appropriate technology	Access and use appropriate built-in camera functions and effects, altering those technologies appropriately to achieve superior quality image content.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Share responsibility with partners on practical camera-related group assignments.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Safely handle set up, take down and transport of professional-grade camera gear;
• Analyze and adjust main functions on cameras to maximize picture quality;
• Successfuly operation of both tape-based and media-based cameras;
• Produce traditional cinematic camera angles;
• Create visually aesthetic compositions in both still and moving imagery;
• Include professional audio recording techniques in all media acquisition;
• Calculate and adjust camera exposure values for compositional goals;
• Calculate and adjust camera exposure values for achieving normal exposure;
• Successfully operate and problem solve digital capture and output devices.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Video Camera Handling Procedures
• Class Expectations/Safe Handling/Storage and organization
2. Video Camera Operations
• Basics of camera operations/production assistant/team
• Basics of composition/shot selection/accessibility
• External Controls on Video Cameras
• External Controls on cameras
3. Main Functions on Video Cameras (Exposure, White Balance, Focus)
• Controlling – Focus, white balance, exposure/Indoor - outdoors
4. Camera Angles
• Traditional cinematic angles/Good composition/bad composition
5. Lenses and Apertures
• Video Lens control, lens options, principles of focus & depth of field
6. Composition
• Headroom, noseroom, rule of 3rds, foreground, background, Vectors, rack focus, Composition/extreme angles/handheld/rule of 180
7. DSLR Cameras
• Basic DSLR Photography with emphasis on exposure
• Discuss and appraise camera exposure controls (E=IxT+ISO+WB)
• Characterize technology and compositional consistencies and “laws”
• Operate and predict exposure variables through still and video imagery
• Discuss and evaluate capture media devices and file size
• Lens selection
• Demonstrate and conclude communicative perspective
• Debate and outline variables of depth of field or depth of focus
• Compare Fast vs slow lenses
• Analyze Optics to predict quality ratings
• Equipment types, manufacturers specifications, and care
• Operate camera menus and define principles and capabilities
• Predict and adapt to environmental variables
• Examine camera filters and other accessories

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions