4 Simple Digital Camera Tricks

by: Dan Feildman

We have all been there. The subject is bland and beyond your own ability to manipulate. Event coverage is the most common situation for this but your creativity has two choices: One, it can shut down and shoot the boring subject and become a boring video, or two, you can maximize the potential by implementing the following four shots that will keep your audience interested and prevent you from falling asleep during the shoot.

POV: Point of View Shot This means shooting the action from the point of view of the subject itself. One of the most memorable POV shots I have ever seen is during the film The Patriot when the cannon ball comes right at the camera and then cuts to a soldier being hit by that same cannon ball. It ignites interest and instantly forces the audience to become part of the action. Utilize POV shots when there is a lot of shots of the same action.

Rack Focus: Changing the focus between a close subject and a distant subject. These are cool because it puts the camera man in direct control of the audience. By switching the camera focus manually between subjects distant and close allows you to include two totally distinct subjects without cutting or moving the camera. The audience is forced to follow the focus since anything blurred cannot be easily interpreted. It adds a professional look to any video.

Crooked Angle: Turn the camera to the side so that the ground is no longer parallel with the square of the viewfinder. I am consistently amazed at how interesting these shots can be. I do not recommend a lot of movement during such a shot unless you wish to see the audience get sick and vomit on your leather couches. Very slight movement at crooked angles is an easy way to create interest and cast your subjects in a new light.

Track Shot: Moving the camera in a definite path I recently watched new music video where the camera zipped around the band on a carefully built track. The band didn’t do much other than simply perform but the speed of the camera flying around and cutting between the shots kept me interested during the entire song. This effect can easily be imitated by putting the camera on a wheelchair, skateboard, or even in your hand as long as it keeps a steady path.

These four classic shots will exponentially increase the interest of your productions and will leave your audience wanting more.