Category: Tutorials

Full-Frame SLR Training Resources

In order to have access to The Media Center’s 5d and 6d full-frame SLR cameras, one must pass a technical quiz. This quiz covers the basic technique that you would learn in an introductory photography class. If you are self taught, you can reference the articles below.

In order to pass the quiz you must get all the questions correct. It is “open book” and you can research answers that you initially get wrong.

You must take the quiz at The Media Center during business hours (M-F 8-5) . Either Josh, Brenda or Julie will grade the quiz and give instant feedback.

The following topics will be included:

f-stop

shutter speed

ISO

focal length

setting the video settings

 

If you would like to schedule an appointment to speak about your projects or get some technical advice you can also reach out to Julie to addresses your ideas/ concerns: savagelj@dickinson.edu

 

Here are some readings to help you succeed passing the quiz

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This article outlines the components of shooting manually in a very basic way.

 

http://digital-photography-school.com/manual-mode-artistic-choices-photography/

 

This article gives a bit more technical information about the same concepts:

 

Camera Exposure: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

 

This article outlines the basic concepts of focal length:

 

http://digital-photography-school.com/4-things-you-should-know-about-focal-length-and-composition/

 

Understanding video settings:

 

 

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This series of video lectures gives an extremely in depth look at the technical aspects of digital photography (not necessary for the quiz):

 

GOOD LUCK!

Creating clips using Snapz, VLC, and QuckTime

Snapz is an application for capturing video from the screen while also capturing the audio from the computer.  It can be found on the Mac side of the computers in the Media Center. DISCLAIMER! This should only be used for the use of making short clips in which to make commentary directly related to your course work.  This same method can be used to pull clips from YouTube by omitting step 1.

  1. After, inserting the DVD you will need to quit the DVD player application, then search for the VLC app.  From the File menu choose Open Disc…  Click the Open Button.
    DVD Player menu, Quit DVD Player
    On Mac, after inserting the disc you’ll need to quit the DVD Player application.
    Spolight menu, Type VLC
    Open VLC, using the Spotlight search is the quickest method
    File Menu, Open Disc
    From the File Menu choose Open Disc…
    Open Source window, click Open button
    Click the Open Button
  2. Locate the scene you want to use and pause the video.  Make sure to leave a buffer zone before the section you want it can be trimmed down later.  Search for the Snapz app.  Note: after opening Snapz the first time it can be activated in the future by pressing command + shift + 5.
    Spotlight search for Snapz
    Open Snapz, using the Spotlight search is the quickest method
    Snapz window
    Snapz window, activate by using command + shift + 5
  3. Choose Movie… Change the frame rate from 15 to 29. Uncheck cursor visible. Use the cross hairs tool to draw a selection around the video.
    Snapz movie options
    Snapz movie options
    Snapz Movie options
    Change framerate to 29 and uncheck cursor visible.
    Video selected
    Use the cross hairs tool to select the section of the screen with the video.
  4. Press return on the keyboard to start recording, then press play on VLC.  When you’ve got the portion you want press command + shift + 5 to stop the recording. Click the Save Now button. If you made a mistake you can also use the Move to Trash button and start over.
    VLC Play button
    Press Play on VLC
    Snapz Save Options.
    Click the Save Now button to proceed or the Move to Trash button if you made a mistake
  5. The video will open in QuickTime Player when it finishes processing. From the Edit menu select Trim. Use the yellow handle bars on each side to trim off the ends and select just the section you want. Then Click the Trim button. When you are done close the window and QuickTime will prompt you to save. Name it, select where to save and click Save.
    Trim
    Select Trim… from the Edit menu
    Trim controls
    Use the handle bars on the left and right to select just the portion a video desired.
    QuickTime Player
    Name your video, select Where to save, and click the Save menu.

Create Film Stills using VLC

VLC is a free video player that anyone can download. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ It is also installed on most computers on campus.

If the computer you are using doesn’t have a DVD drive, one can be borrowed from the media center.

  1. On a Mac after, inserting the DVD you will need to quit the DVD player application, then search for the VLC app. From the File menu choose Open Disc…  Click the Open Button.
    In Windows, choose VLC to open the disc when prompted.
    DVD Player menu, Quit DVD Player
    On Mac, after inserting the disc you’ll need to quit the DVD Player application.
    Spolight menu, Type VLC
    Open VLC, using the Spotlight search is the quickest method
    File Menu, Open Disc
    From the File Menu choose Open Disc…
    Open Source window, click Open button
    Click the Open Button
    AutoPlay e
    In Windows, choose VLC to open the disc when prompted.
  2. Locate the scene you want to use and pause the video. Under the video menu select snapshot.
    Video Menu, Snapshot
    From the Video menu choose snapshot
    Take snapshot
    From the Video menu choose Take snapshot
  3. Locate the file in your pictures folder.
    Mac pictures folder
    Windows pictures folder