Camera Fundamentals

• Understanding Different Camera Types: DSLRs offer interchangeable lenses and high image quality, mirrorless cameras provide a more compact design with similar performance, and smartphones are increasingly powerful with built-in computational photography features. Choosing the right type depends on your needs, portability, and budget.
• Camera Components: Learn the function of each part: the sensor captures light, the lens focuses the image, the shutter controls exposure time, the aperture adjusts light intake, and the viewfinder or screen displays what you're capturing.
• Lens Types: Wide-angle lenses are great for landscapes, telephoto for wildlife and sports, macro for close-ups, and standard prime lenses for portraits. Understanding focal lengths and aperture ranges is crucial for selecting the right lens.
• Camera Settings: Gain confidence with manual, aperture priority (Av), shutter priority (Tv), and auto modes. Learn how these affect creativity and exposure control.

Technical Skills

• Exposure Triangle: Practice combining ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to get correct exposure. Low ISO means less noise; fast shutter freezes motion; wide aperture blurs backgrounds.
• Depth of Field: Controlled primarily by aperture. Use shallow depth of field (f/1.8–f/2.8) for portraits and deep depth (f/8–f/16) for landscapes to keep everything sharp.
• White Balance: Correct color casts from different lighting — set to auto, daylight, shade, tungsten, or manually using custom white balance tools.
• Focus Techniques: Practice switching between autofocus (AF-S for still, AF-C for moving subjects) and manual focus. Learn back-button focusing for better control.

Composition & Lighting

• Rule of Thirds: Place subjects off-center along the grid lines to make images more visually appealing. Many cameras have a rule-of-thirds overlay.
• Lighting Techniques: Use side lighting for drama, front lighting for evenness, and backlighting for silhouettes. Natural light can be shaped with curtains, reflectors, and diffusers.
• Reflectors and Diffusers: Silver reflectors brighten shadows; white ones offer soft fill light. Diffusers reduce harsh light, especially useful in midday sun.
• Golden Hour and Blue Hour: Golden hour (after sunrise/before sunset) offers warm tones and soft shadows. Blue hour (twilight) provides a cool, moody ambiance ideal for cityscapes and portraits.

Post-Processing

• Editing Software: Learn basics of Lightroom for batch edits, Photoshop for advanced retouching, Snapseed for mobile editing, and Darktable as a free alternative.
• Color Correction: Adjust temperature, tint, exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows to achieve natural tones.
• Cropping and Composition: Enhance balance and subject placement. Straighten horizons and remove distractions.
• Export Settings: For web: JPEG, 72 DPI, sRGB. For print: TIFF or high-quality JPEG, 300 DPI, Adobe RGB.

Video Production Fundamentals

• Camera Settings: Use shutter speed of 1/50 for 24fps recording, ISO as low as lighting allows, and aperture to control depth of field. Lock settings to avoid exposure shifts.
• Frame Rates and Resolution: 24fps for a cinematic look, 30fps for regular content, 60fps or higher for slow motion. Choose resolution based on platform: 1080p for YouTube, 4K for professional projects.
• Codecs and Formats: H.264 for universal compatibility, ProRes for high-quality editing, MP4 for web delivery. Understand bitrates for balancing quality and file size.
• Stabilization: Use gimbals for motion, tripods for static shots, and warp stabilizer in post for slight fixes. Practice handheld control for dynamic shots.

Pre-Production

• Storyboarding: Sketch or digitally plan each shot to save time on set and maintain consistency in your story.
• Script Writing: Break down your story into acts or sections. Include voice-over scripts, interview questions, and key transitions.
• Location Scouting: Evaluate locations for light quality, noise levels, space, and aesthetics. Take reference photos and test audio.
• Equipment Checklist: Include batteries, lens cloths, SD cards, extension cords, lav mics, boom poles, light stands, and back-up gear.

Production Techniques

• Camera Movement: Use sliders, handheld rigs, or drones to introduce motion. Movement adds narrative impact and flow.
• Lighting Setups: Apply 3-point lighting: key light (main), fill light (reduce shadows), backlight (separate subject). Use practical lights for ambiance.
• Audio Recording: Capture clean audio close to the source. Use lapel mics for interviews and boom mics for dynamic scenes. Monitor with headphones.
• Interview Techniques: Frame the subject with headroom and lead room. Use over-the-shoulder for documentary feels. Ask open-ended questions.

Post-Production

• Editing Software: Use Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut. For mobile editing, try LumaFusion or CapCut.
• Basic Editing: Organize footage, trim and cut clips, sync audio, and apply transitions sparingly. Keep pacing natural.
• Color Grading: Apply LUTs for mood or manually adjust color wheels and curves. Use scopes for accurate exposure and color balance.
• Audio Mixing: Normalize levels, remove background noise, EQ dialogue, and balance effects/music. Aim for -6 dB to -3 dB peaks.