1. READ: 

Guide to Camera Filters and How to Use Them

How, When and Why to Use a Polarizing Filter and this is also good explanation of polarizer filters

Tiffen Filter Guide 
(Please read about the many kinds of filters but look specifically for the filters that we have for the SONY HDV cameras - see list below)

2. WATCH:

 




Note: the effect of the filter and how the effect is adjusted by rotating the filter

3. Send an email to request a camera as follows:

4. TUESDAY, SEPT 11, IN CLASS, MEET AT THE EQ ROOM!






We will film in pairs or groups (based on how many cameras are avail).

Each group will get

SONY HDV
batter
tripod
white card
HDV filter pack 
(Please make sure there is a polarizer and at least two other kinds of filters in your pack!)


Here's the assignment:

TCF 312 – Group Exercise #2: SONY HDV with FILTERS
* Please film BEFORE class on Tuesday, 9/11 *
FILMED IN CLASS ON TUESDAY 9/11

NOTE FOR HDV CAMERA SHUTTER SPEED:
If you set your camera (MENU > CAMERA > PROG SCAN) to Progressive, you then have access to 1/48 shutter speed! (Sorry about that).

To recap: 
if HDV is in 60i mode, shutter speed option is 1/60
if HDV is set to PROGRESSIVE SCAN, it then will give you the option for 1/48

TCF has the following filters for SONY HDV cameras:

1. color graduated filter
2. polarizer
3. soft
4. black pro mist 
5. warm black diffusion
6. enhancing
7. gold diffusion
8. ultra contrast

Working in a group of 2-3 students, you are to film well-composed shots, using strong framing and compositional elements to produce visually compelling images, which speak --- think content and form discussion from class.

5 Shot Exercise Using SONY HDV and filters:

1. Enhance the sky of a landscape
2. Reduce glare on glass
3. Reduce glare on water
4. Soften a shot using a filtered effect
5. Enhance a shot w/color or detail using a filter

Rules:

• Record color bars at the head of your tape
• Film a visual slate w/name of camera operator (rotate who operates), and manual settings (iris & shutter speed)
• Film 15-20 seconds of shot w/no filter
• Film 15-20 seconds of shot w/filter
• Make sure you white balance your camera on location (under lighting conditions where you are filming)
• NO GAIN should be used in any shot!

BRING YOUR TAPE TO CLASS ON TUESDAY, SEPT 11! 

We will go over tape capturing in FCP and talk about tape vs. tapeless workflow in class.

* * * * * 

DSLR FILTER BONUS:

Later in the course we'll move to DSLR cinematography. One of the limitations of these cameras is the moire effect. Here's a filter that eliminates it! We don't have one (yet) in TCF, but watch how it works:

Canon 7D Anti-Aliasing Filter Review - Clean! from cinema5D on Vimeo.

Here are some links about it that you should read

1. NoFilmSchool's post with Philip Bloom video about 5D filter fix

2.  Positives and negatives about 7D filter by Cinema5D

Also please note that we NEVER take a screwdriver to the inside of a TCF camera --- John Chisholm will do that for us! ; )