Everything Else
How To: Adapt your Glidecam to fit with your Steadycam Vest
You have a great Glidecam and a Merlin vest fit for Steadycam... now what? You can easily adapt your two pieces of equipment to help them sync up. All you need is a few pieces of extra hardware to make it work.
How To: Balance your camera stabilizer, flycam or glidecam
If you're still having problems balancing your camera stabilizer, whether it's a Glidecam, Flycam or other piece of equipement, this tutorial is for you. There are a couple tips you can use to keep your camera steady while you're filming.
How To: Get a macro shot with any lens when using a DSLR camera
This is a great tip that will save you quite a lot of money on camera lenses. No matter what lens you are using, this video shows you how to get a good macro shot. All you need are special filters that go on top of your lens.
How To: Frame an interview shot for maximum effectiveness
This tutorial focuses on framing your shot, especially when you're planning to film an interview. However, this also touches on how you can frame people for the greatest effectiveness in your shot. Be aware of what is both inside and without the frame, as well as headroom.
How To: Build a DiY rig for your DSLR when filming interviews
How to film an interview properly? This tutorial shows you everything, from tripod to audio to accessories, that can maximize effectiveness when you're filming an interview. This is a top-heavy rig, so is really idea when you don't have to move it.
How To: Set up the presets on your Canon 7D for filming video
Your Canon 7D camera can film in video as well as take still photographs, however, the settings will be different. To get the best picture quality possible, here is how you can set up your camera's presets when filming in live action.
How To: Shoot a time lapse film with a digital camera
Time lapse photography is a common film technique to capture subtle processes, such as star movement or sunst. This tutorial shows you all the equipment you'll need, how to set your camera up properly, and how to string it together for a film.
How To: Set up and properly operate your MiniDV Steadycam
Get a MiniDV Steadycam recently? This is a lightweight, easy to use and portable stabilizer usable with most camcorders on the market today. Set it up quickly, and learn how you can use it to best effects when filming your next project.
How To: Use a follow focus or z focus when filming with a digital camera
Still wondering why you need a follow focus for your digital camera? Curious about how it works, or how you can get the most out of yours? This video has the answers! Learn everything you need to know about the z focus.
How To: Shoot a time lapse shot in high definition using the Stage Zero dolly
Time lapse is a dynamic filming technique, and can be even more interesting if the camera is moving while it films. You can achieve this effect by using the Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Dolly, MX2 DollyShield and Pentax K7, and this tutorial shows you how.
How To: Choose the right lenses and equipment for filming a wedding or special event
Filming a wedding soon? What if you can only bring one lens with you to an event? This tutorial shows you the various video camera lenses you can use, and which ones are the best to use when filming a wedding or other special event.
How To: Use an EOS stabilizer with your digital cameras
Are stabilizers worth the investment? Which one is the best? How can you get the most out of the stabilizer you already have? This tutorial provides the answers to all these questions, and more! Decide which stabilizer is right for your camera and budget.
How To: Shoot a wedding ceremony in a church
Most weddings happen in churches, and of course everyone wants to capture the moment on film. If you're going to be the photographer for an indoor church wedding, this tutorial is for you. Choose the right kind of camera and settings to make your pictures and film as professional and memorable as possible.
How To: Get the best sound when filming with a DSLR
Digital SLRs are known for their high image quality, but what about audio? This panel discussion shows you how you can set up your shots and equipment to ensure you get the best possible audio for your next film project.
How To: Use FD lenses with your high definition digital cameras
This tutorial goes over the Canon manual lenses that are produced with film cameras in mind, but you can buy an adapter to fit them to your digital cameras. This tutorial shows you how to use these FD lenses, and why you would want to.
How To: Use a test card to master the focusing on your digital camera
Focusing can be tricky to get just right, but you can use the Letus mini card to help! This is a quick tutorial that shows you what a test card is and how you can use it to quickly and easily bring your shots into proper focus.
How To: Achieve a shallow depth of field effect in your films
This video shows you how to achieve the 'film look' for your digital projects by adjusting your depth of field to become more shallow. It also demonstrates the difference between the 60i and 24p modes of filming (the video says 30i, but the correct mode is 60i).
How To: Use the Manfrotto 394 quick release plates when shooting on a tripod
This tutorial shows you how to use the Mafrotto 394 quick release plates, which allows you to quickly move or change cameras on your tripod. This saves you a lot of time you'd otherwise spend screwing and unscrewing your camera from the tripod.
How To: Use the EX1 and Letus Extreme 35 mm lens adapter when filming outdoors
This is a quick tutorial on a few pieces of film equipment that are especially well suited to filming outdoors - specifically, the Sony EX1 video camera, and the Letus Extreme 35 mm lens adapter, as well as the hardware you'll need to be able to use it.
How To: Shoot high definition video with a Flip camera
Professional quality, high definition video cameras are now getting within the grasp of independent film makers, and this tutorial shows you how you can use the Flip camera, or other small HD cameras, to shoot your own high quality projects.
How To: Get HD quality video with your Canon digital SLRs
You can still make great high definition videos using the Canon digital SLR camera line. This video gives you quite a few tips you can use to start creating your own videos and movies - the most important one of which is to have fun!
How To: Hold a camera completely steady in your bare hands
No extra tripods or dollies required! This tutorial shows you the 'steadyhand' technique: a way for you to hold your video camera in your bare hands without any tremors or shaking. The trick is to not hold it too tightly.
How To: Use a piece of developed film and a camera to see through clothes
The ability to see through clothing has been pursued by voyeurs for millenia, and today with the help of cheap video cameras we are closer than ever. This video will show you how to use a piece of blank developed film and IR to see through different types of shirts and other clothing. It also covers the effects of different colors and fabrics on the technique's effectiveness.
How To: Set up your ambient lighting to look like a movie theater
Movie theater light can sometimes be difficult to replicate, since it is always dark and you have to reproduce the effect of the flickering lights coming from the screen. Here's a great lighting trick you can use to replicate the effect of movie theater lights.
How To: Make a camera mount on your car for under ten dollars
Not only does this camera mount take less than five minutes to make, you can do it for less than ten dollars. Mount a camera to your car for greater versatility in how and what you film for your next project!
HowTo: Make a DSLR Helmet Cam
Modernhuman of WonderHowTo's Canon EOS 7D World posts a simple HowTo for making your own DSLR Helmet Cam for approximately $150 in parts:
How To: Get a 35mm film look with a depth of field adapter
Shoot digital footage to rival film by incorporating a 35mm DoF adapter into your camcorder rig! For detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started shooting footage to rival anything shot on a video-capable DSLR, watch this video guide.
How To: Stabalize your point and shoot HD camera using a Joby Gorillapod SLR tripod
Using a hand held point and shoot camera that uses HD video capture can be tough to use due to the natural shake of your hands. In this video you'll get a chance to see the uses of the Joby Gorillapod SLR flexible tripod in stabalizing your shots for your HD point and shoot camera!
How To: Balance your Flycam or other camera stabilization sleds easily
If you've recently picked up a new flycam or camera stabilization sled, then you're probably getting ready to use it right now! Just need to make sure it's properly balanced. In this video you will get a tutorial on how to balance a flycam or most types of camera stabilization sleds!
How To: Set up a green screen for chroma keying
Think you might like to set up a green screen? It's easy! All you really need is a big green sheet. This video production tutorial presents a complete guide and will see to it that you know everything you need to know start incorporating green (or blue) screen work into your own video productions.
How To: Get perfect exposure in your photographs and cinematography
When making your film, you want to make sure that the cameras that you're using, and the pictures and footage that you're taking, have the right exposure. Exposure can make or break your film as far as quality of the footage being presented! In this video you will get a tutorial on how to get the perfect exposure for your footage!
How To: Build a $30 steadycam
In this video we learn how to build a $30 steadycam. Making this yourself will save you thousands of dollars and allow you to get smooth shots with your camera! First, you will need to take a round free weight that is used in the gym. After this, grab a pipe and stick it into the middle of this, making sure it's a tight fit. From here, attach another pipe to it using bolts to screw it together. Once you're finished, you can attach your cam to it and use it to take your shots whether they are ...
How To: Build a DIY wooden camera dolly with PVC railing system
If you need a dolly for your movie masterpiece, you don't need to go with a professional dolly system. You can save that money for your expensive actors and actresses by building your own DIY camera dolly on the cheap. You'll need some nuts and bolts, PVC pipes, scrap wood, drill bits and a drill, inline wheels and a hammer. This homemade camera dolly will cost you around 65 bucks.
How To: Shoot low angle moving shots from ground level with a video camera
Low angle shots are a great way to evoke a sense of panic in movies, but if you're trying to get good quality shots from ground level with just your hands, then it's not going to work. The video footage will be all shaky, unless that's another look you're wanting to achieve in your film. If you want steady, fast-tracking low angle footage, then Ritwika has a great trick on taking those ground level moving camera shots. You'll need a monopod, water bottle (with water), 2 rubber bands and your ...
How To: Customize white balance & temperature for perfectly colored photos & videos
Has white balance always been a problem in your photographs? Getting the perfect color in your photos is tricky business, even on digital cameras. This video will give you the ultimate information on customizing the white balance and color temperature for your film, video footage and pictures. Ritwika teaches how to obtain accurate color balance using various custom white balance techniques.
How To: Make movie rain without getting wet
In this tutorial, we learn how to make movie rain without getting wet. First, you will need to get a garden hose that has a spout on it and few pieces of PVC pipe. Connect the pieces of PVC pipe together, then stick the head of the hose to the pipe. Keep in mind that you will want to cut the pipe a bit shorter so it's easier to hold. Now, have someone hold up the pipe while you are taping and make sure to stay opposite of the way the wind is blowing. After this, you will have taped rain in a ...
How To: Simulate teleportation w/ film effects & camera tricks
In this tutorial, we learn how to simulate teleportation w/ film effects & camera tricks. First, take a shot of your actors moving and doing something active. Then, take a shot of the frame without the actors. After this, go frame by frame masking the actors out of each of the frames. Use radio blur to make them leave the shot, then add in evaporation. From here, you can play the clips of the background on the scene so it looks like the have been sent somewhere else. Smooth out the background...
How To: Build an inexpensive camera dolly
Looking to create slow moving and motion shots with your camera on a stable surface on a low budget? Try building your own skater dolly! In this video you will learn the entire process of building your own inexpensive dolly that will allow you to create fantastic motion shots.
How To: Use sync speed properly in photography to freeze motion
If you shoot in a studio, or if you find that you're getting a black bar and are having a hard time freezing motion when shooting, this video will be a great help. In it, you will get a full lesson on what sync speed is, flash duration, camera curtains and more to help you capture motion without getting a black bar or other nasty effects.
How To: Shoot in a film noir setting
Film Noir, or black film, is a type of film that can easily be attributed to classics such as the Humphery Boggart films of old (Maltese Falcon, King of the Underworld, ect.). If you're looking on how to create the effect yourself without a big budget, check out this video! John Hess gives you some basic tips to creating the effect with lighting and more!