Camera for Student
I get asked what kind of camera should a student get and we get posts and searches for “what camera to get a student?”
I am not a camera operator or cinematographer and I am not going to pretend to know a lot about cameras. I know enough basics to do what I do now and I am always learning. However, I think the most important thing for a student is practice. Getting caught up in technology is not going to get the creative juices flowing. If you are studying piano you need a piano to practice on. It does not have to be a full Steinway concert grand. You don't need to go get into every synthesizer known to man to find the right keyboard. At this point you want to learn to play.
Just get started working with capturing images with a device that will do the job. If the school has cameras you can check out do so. Get your hands on a camera and figure out everything about it and practice planning your shots and shoot with it. Working with the images in the frame and the elements and variables of focus, light, shapes, color, and depth of field are some of the most important things in my opinion and not what new camera has a super cine look setting on it. The only way you are going to develop your skills is by practice. So, practice. Shoot and look at what you have shot. Think about it. What is going on and how can you do something with it to tell and relate your story. Be creative. Use a story board and plan out everything and follow through.
Things to consider when getting a camera
1. Budget
2. Use (will it be for class projects or professional work)
3. Will it meet class/instructor requirements
4. Sound input
5. Image quality
6. Manufacture or seller support
Buy, rent or borrow a camera and start shooting.
P.S. This is a work in progress. I will edit it again. Please let me know your thoughts.
I get asked what kind of camera should a student get and we get posts and searches for “what camera to get a student?”
I am not a camera operator or cinematographer and I am not going to pretend to know a lot about cameras. I know enough basics to do what I do now and I am always learning. However, I think the most important thing for a student is practice. Getting caught up in technology is not going to get the creative juices flowing. If you are studying piano you need a piano to practice on. It does not have to be a full Steinway concert grand. You don't need to go get into every synthesizer known to man to find the right keyboard. At this point you want to learn to play.
Just get started working with capturing images with a device that will do the job. If the school has cameras you can check out do so. Get your hands on a camera and figure out everything about it and practice planning your shots and shoot with it. Working with the images in the frame and the elements and variables of focus, light, shapes, color, and depth of field are some of the most important things in my opinion and not what new camera has a super cine look setting on it. The only way you are going to develop your skills is by practice. So, practice. Shoot and look at what you have shot. Think about it. What is going on and how can you do something with it to tell and relate your story. Be creative. Use a story board and plan out everything and follow through.
Things to consider when getting a camera
1. Budget
2. Use (will it be for class projects or professional work)
3. Will it meet class/instructor requirements
4. Sound input
5. Image quality
6. Manufacture or seller support
Buy, rent or borrow a camera and start shooting.
P.S. This is a work in progress. I will edit it again. Please let me know your thoughts.
