The ten rules of photography...

Douglas said:
You're either a professional, or you're an idiot who uses exceses to make up for bad skills.
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Douglas, please remember that only a Sith deals in absolutes. ;-)


Rule: Never shoot with a dirty lens.
How to break this rule: Put on a shower cap (a tip I saw years ago here on b-roll) over your lens along with your normal rain gear, then get up close & personal with some dirt bikes which give you a rock star shot of mud sprayed across the screen.


Rule: Never drop your camera.
How to break this rule: Just last week I interviewed a guy who has a Phantom slow motion camera which he lifts up about 6 feet & drops about 50 times a day. Why? Because he works in the Physics department at The University of Chicago studying objects in free-fall. (Kids don't try this at home, unless you have a full rig to protect your gear from smashing into tiny pieces).

Douglas, give me any rule & I'm 99% sure that I can come up with a situation that a professional would break that rule to get a better shot (minus the rules that have to do with safety like masts & powerlines).

I think the main reason to hire a professional is because professionals have wisdom in their trade. If you just need knowledge, then robots can do our job.

--

Also, I think rule should be: Default to set your shutter to 1/refresh rate.

1/24 for 24p
1/30 for 30p
1/60 for 60i (edit: changed 30i to 60i, I don't think there is such thing as 30i, boy was I tired last night)
etc.


I would add to the bring extra batteries... If you don't want to run out of something, make sure you have extras. (I'm pretty sure that it is a proven fact that batteries drain faster if you don't have a spare within reaching distance.)
 
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1/24 for 24p
1/30 for 30p
1/60 for 30i
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The last one yes. The first two would give you horrible smeary motion. The BBC keep doing this these days and it looks awful. If you are in proscan modes take your framerate and double the number to get your ideal shutter speed.
 
Douglas said:
Okay, that puts things in perspective.
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Well, yeah... Mostly news, several docs, industrial, corporate, weddings (ugh), training DVD's, marketing campains, commercials, gripped on movie sets, you name it. There are no fast rules, with all your experience, you should know that.
 
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Tvshooter's Rule of all Rules:

Arguing on the internet is like whistling for chickens. You can do it all day long, but it won't make any difference.
 
It's funny how this thread as devolved into arguments and excuses to break the most basic rules. Are there times to break rules? Sure. Are there absolutes in this business? No. But the need to break the rules are few and far between ---- and only AFTER you thoroughly understand how to work creatively within the rules.

But this thread was started to gather tips for interns and rookies. Do you really want to encourage them to shoot with a crooked tripod, extreme shutter speeds, and a dirty lens? If so, then you have a different vision than me of what makes compelling video.

It's clear from some of the posts above that even the most rudimentary understanding of depth-of-field and what should be used as the "standard" shutter speed has escaped people with years of "experience" in this business. But that does not surprise me because I see the results of that attitude everyday on TV.

However, I honestly don't think that the crappy video I see on my local news (and networks) everyday is the result of photographers making a conscious decision NOT to level the tripod, to throw a little dirt on the lens, to use a blue white balance outdoors because they like the look, to execute a herky jerky pan across the front of a building, to wobble a hand-held camera around like a drunken sailor, to shoot an interview with the person standing inches from a wall or bookcase behind them.

Perhaps I'm totally wrong. Maybe all these years I haven't been watching video shot by people who don't know better or don't give a crap about their craft. Maybe I've just watching some cutting-edge out of the box photography by people who are so damn good that they have earned the right to break all the rules. If that's the case, I'm sure they're on the career track they have earned.

Perhaps the guys who think breaking the rules is a great idea can start a new thread with their favorite suggestions.
 
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I have to lean with Douglas on this one. It's strange to see the same photojournalists who slam VJs or one man bands for "doing it wrong" and then take great pride in doing it wrong and breaking the rules. All rules can be broken if the shot requires it for storytelling purposes, but not "just because."
 
It's wonderful to be an iconoclast, but I feel that one needs to KNOW the rules before one can make a conscious decision to disregard the rules in order to achieve a desired look.
Example: I'm a big adherent of using sticks. But, I've been at events involving small children or dogs and have seen photogs using their sticks and shooting DOWN on those subjects. So, they have nice,steady shots of the top of their subjects' heads.That's where you might "break" the rule and get down where the subject is.
 
Douglas said:
Perhaps the guys who think breaking the rules is a great idea can start a new thread with their favorite suggestions.
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This thread is probably the best place.
Bottom line (for me) is templates are not profitable. You can call it a list of rules but things like don't drop the camera and clean your lens are more like common sense. I'll first say I am not a news photog. I'm in production. People puchase creativity here so what I did on the last shoot has nothing at all with what I'm doing today or tomorrow. Do I still learn tips and tricks after a quarter of a century? Heck yeah. That's a big reason we all love shootin'. Will I ever tryt to force-feed any of that on the next shoot? Not without it affecting my bottom line. I don't have to imagine how some of my clients would react to my setting up on sticks, fumble with a big light kit and scare the talent who isn't talent at all with unrequired gear. I've see it happen and those guys don't get hired again. While your workflow is no template for me, my workflow isn't a template for you either. We simply do different things... and go about them differently. Should I get a wild hair and duct tape my camera to a bike, that's a creative call. I'm not thinking about rules enough to break one. If I gaff tape it to the hood of my car and go drifting, it's because that's the shot I want. If the camera breaks, I'll just get a new one.
Instances and needs vary too much to make a rule list here. I just have fun doin' wh at I do. It doesn't have to be more complicated than that.
 
I always tell beginners that I still keep this phrase in my head whenever I'm shooting: "Keep your wide shots WIDE and your tight shots TIGHT." Interpret as needed.
 
I propose that you can call yourself a professional when

A) you know all the basic rules, inside and out
and
B) you know when you can break them

Until that point, you are learning and can quickly get yourself into trouble. But, Doug, I learned much about how to shoot from making lots of mistakes from my failed experimentation. With those starting out, be sure to stick to the rules at first. Then, try small things out. Play with the settings on your camera. See what happens if you don't wipe your lens all the time. Just be aware that you will eventually get it wrong, so don't screw around when it counts.

My best advice? Don't drink a huge coffee before getting stuck at an hours-long stakeout! Seriously, know what you are capable of before there is a problem. Small bladder... plan accordingly!
 
If I get asked the "What're some rules of..." type question, I just tell whoever that "What's worked for me is..."

1. White balance. You've got 3 settings for WB, anticipate your light sources and use 'em.

2. Level the sticks, and put the sticks at different levels.

3. Take your damn hands OFF the camera once you hit record and let the scene play out, even if it goes out of frame. Then move and re-frame for the next shot in the sequence. (Too many guys and gals wanna get EVERY bit of action in their shot, no matter the movement.)

4. If off the shoulder, learn to breathe to keep your shot as steady as possible. Use your surroundings to help further the steady factor.

5. Turn your freakin' cell phone on silent (or OFF!) as you get out of the car to a shoot,\ no matter what the shoot is.

6. Let the lens do it's job. I don't always have to get right up on everything, especially if I want the subject to be comfortable and NATURAL. The camera tends to make people, animals, etc. a bit... stiff. But don't ALWAYS let the lens do it's job, sometimes you just have to stick your nose in there.

7. Have an earbud in your ear ALWAYS. Even if you're just getting VO. Make sure you're getting clean audio. (I actually didn't do this yesterday with my nats mic and it bit me in the a$$ in editing. Oops.)

8. Carry your own damn sticks. If you see a shot, you can stop, drop and roll. If the lens meat has the sticks you'll most likely miss the shot because you're too busy looking for them to get your sticks.

9. Keep your crap clean and organized. Then you know where to find it, the condition it should be and that it'll work for you when you need it.

10. Don't let the network guys push you around, but don't get cocky with 'em either. You can learn from them too.

But, really, the number 1 and most important rule: STAY WARM AND DRY.

Again, these are some things that I've found to work for ME day to day. I'm not afraid to stray from them (except #10) IF I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO, but I've found them to work because of the end product speaks for itself. I'm always looking to learn and improve, but so far so good.
 
couryhouse said:
Many times as soon as I step out of the car I am rolling... there are even times I am rolling as I drive there as I am recording thoughts and observations on what I am seeing before I step into the middle of it.
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Just a reminder; this thread was speaking to newbies and interns.

And like any rule there is a time and a place for them to be broken. And quick moving breaking news would be one time to break this rule.

But if someone else is editing the video or you have a quick turn around you/the editor will love to have good solid shots to choose from and not a bunch of extraneous video to scroll through that will never be used.
 
Lenslinger said:
Fundamentals must be adhered to, but I find a concrete set of rules such as some have listed to be limiting, if not laughable.
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I think that's why I find myself in the same boat as Alex. Sure, you can offer up pointers, but this is a creative field.

To quote Captain Barbossa: "...the code is more what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules."

Lenslinger said:
Then again, I'm less of a tech-heavy photog and more of a journalist who knows how to shoot and edit. Younger photogs would do well to absorb what is taught here, but never let a rote set of guidelines stop them from adapting their methods around the asignment's needs. Check-off lists are for technicians. Tell me a story - in such a way that I never have to think about the way it was assembled.
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I'm in the same boat. I've met a handful of shooters who can rattle off specs and numbers while holding their own out in the field. The others, though, tend to memorize manuals in order to distract others from their lacking creativity. I'm not huge into committing stats to memory, but my resumé and reel certainly allows others to deduce that I know what the hell I'm doing.

That said:

Douglas said:
It's clear from some of the posts above that even the most rudimentary understanding of depth-of-field and what should be used as the "standard" shutter speed has escaped people with years of "experience" in this business. But that does not surprise me because I see the results of that attitude everyday on TV.
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Damn, Doug. I find myself agreeing with you, but the way you attack folks here really makes it difficult to take your posts seriously.

While I agree that quality needs to remain at the top of everyone's list, you'd do better by turning your attitude down a few notches. This forum is a great learning tool. Calling someone an idiot because they don't understand something you think is "so simple" isn't what this forum's about. You're going to light the wrong kind of fire in someone if you belittle them and hold your knowledge over their head, pulling up every time they reach for it.

Members in this forum include inexperienced college kids, seasoned veterans, and everyone in between. If you've got some pointers, great -- but there's no need to berate someone for tossin' in their two cents. You've obviously got some worthwhile knowledge. You obviously feel very passionate about putting forth quality. Educate folks instead of making them feel like ignorant jackasses.
 
CD,

Lighten up. Anyone who has been hanging around B-roll for as many years as I have already knows that's my style. I'm well aware that it rubs some people the wrong way, but I don't really care. If you're put off by my style, so be it. I call it as I see it and am not interested in sugar coating anything. The world is Black and White with very little gray. And maybe Nino and I have gotten too old an cranky to be of any use here anymore.

If someone takes what I write as a personal insult, then they are taking it the wrong way. I am not out to make enemies or belittle anyone, but I'm not going to sit here and listen to bull**** from people who don't know what the hell they are talking about.

I originally posted what I think are some very valid tips. The comments that you find offensive were in respons to people that disagreed with me. Rather than posting their own tips, they felt compelled to disagree with mine. Well, sure I'm going to come back at that, what do you expect? If you want to disagree, fine, but you better be prepared to defend your position. I always am.

Just to clarify one thing, I don't remember calling anyone an "idiot". However, if the shoe fits . . .

I am reminded of the quote: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

FYI, I am a member of an online group of high-end cinematographers including ASC members and other people who's work I am in awe of. Over there, I listen, learn, and keep my mouth shut. I don't say a word even when I disagree because I am the grasshopper and they are the master. I think a few people who fall into the "inexperienced college kids" category here should sit back and listen instead of chiming in so often.

And, "seasoned veteran" doesn't mean squat to me. I'm sure we all know plenty of people that have been in the business for years and still couldn't shoot their way out of a paper bag. I've seen the work of some of the people who disagree with me, and frankly the description "home movies" comes to mind. (Oooooh! sorry if that stark language offends the senses. Where's the smelling salts?)
 
Of everyone here, you're the only one intent on wavin' it around in the wind. If that's what floats your boat, wave on.
 
Well, they don't call me the the Human Tripod just because I can hold a camera rock-steady.
 
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My final thought on Panhandlegate: Since I'm not a member of a high-end, silence inducing chat room but I am, or have been, a member of the now thoroughly discredited "seasoned veteran", "inexperienced college kid", local news (and network) shooters caste I'll use a different example than myself...

If you're a young shooter and you aspire to the top of the corporate shooting ranks then you may want to discard this. Perhaps, you're a young shooter hoping to break into a local news station and the NPPA is a guide post for you. It would help to know that more than one recent Ernie Crisp POY winner has taken the leap into the abyss and shed his panhandle. Try it at your own peril. Another secret, those same guys sometimes alter their shutter speeds. Shhhhhh....

This experience has made me think of another rule for us shooters: Read your emails and internet posts before you send them. You're asking people to take the time to read your thoughts so do them the courtesy of doing the same. Check for misspelling and tone or risk coming off as bellicose and intolerant even though you might be a good guy and solid professional.
 
adam said:
If you're a young shooter and you aspire to the top of the corporate shooting ranks then you may want to discard this. Perhaps, you're a young shooter hoping to break into a local news station and the NPPA is a guide post for you. It would help to know that more than one recent Ernie Crisp POY winner has taken the leap into the abyss and shed his panhandle. Try it at your own peril. Another secret, those same guys sometimes alter their shutter speeds. Shhhhhh....
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It's very, very hard -- if not impossible -- to claim a preference as "correct" or "incorrect."

Personally, I don't like having the pan handle on my sticks for the same reason a lot of folks have listed here: it gets in my way and slows me down. If others prefer using it, fine. I'm not going to sit here and tell them they're wrong.

As far as shutter goes: I've not had anyone complain with the settings I've used -- most importantly, management. If I can make my video look better by using features provided by whatever camera I'm using, I'm going to do it.

Trial-and-error is really the only way to improve your skill and develop your own style of shooting. Referencing others' experiences or asking questions is definitely helpful, though.
 
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