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Get to know your video camera - essential knowledge for filming weddings

If you are planning to shoot a wedding video, then you need to know all about your video camera - when to use the automatic functions - and when to switch to manual to keep colour, sound, light, and to avoid those amateur effects like focus finding and bright red faces...

1. Menu functions There are some settings in your camera that need to be adjusted/set before you videotape the wedding. They are accessed through the Menu button on your camera. These functions and their optimal settings include:

Time/date ? Off

Focus ? Auto Exposure ? Auto White Balance - Auto

The only time you need to change these settings to" Manual" is when lighting conditions or picture composition are out of the norm.

(e.g. adjust for exposure: heavily back-lit subjects making them look like silouettes. Adjust for focus: competing objects in foreground that make your camera continually roll focus back and forth with nauseating results. This is known as focus finding. If you get those problems switch to manual and get to know your focus ring

Gain level ? 0

Increase gain level only when light levels are low. You should be aware that increasing gain levels will affect the quality of your videotape. However, so does darkness. Increasing gain level may be your only choice in this situation.

2. Record mode/speed ? SP (Standard Play)

Your camera may have additional record modes/speeds including: EP (Extended Play), LP (Long Play) and SLP (Super Long Play) These record modes are designed to extend the record time you have on your videotape. If you find that the wedding is running longer than expected and you do not have additional videotape, changing the record speed to EP, LP or SLP will give you more record time on the tape. Slow modes will always result in loss of quality and will increase the chance of glitches like dropped frames when capturing. Buy 80 minute tapes is my advice.

3. Battery insertion Become familiar with camera battery insertion. Trying to figure this out in a dimly-lit church during the wedding ceremony is going to spell big trouble for you.

4. Also, remember to keep track of the remaining power level of the batteyr by observing the battery level display in the viewfinder. Note some batteries such as Canon show minutes remaining. Others just show it in quarter steps.

5. Zoom function Zoom controls on a video camera usually include buttons or slide control marked W (wide) and T (telephoto). You should become familiar with the sensitivity of these controls. This is similar to becoming familiar with the sensitivity of the brakes on a new car. Fast zooms are a no no. There is a whole technique to zooming. See the book for sale on the front page of this website for a whole section on zooms.

6. Microphone input jacks If your camera has a mic input jack, you will be able to plug in an external microphone which will enhance the quality of your audio while giving you more range and flexibility with your camera. BUT beware.. some editing systems cannot mix stereo (onboard mike) with mono (external mike). Check and practice.

7. Headphone input jack

Plug a headphone set into this jack so that you can check the quality and level of audio you are receiving into the camera while recording or during playback. Experiement. Does the sound you hear equate to the editing sound?

8. Videotape insertion This is something you should know well before coming to the church. Different cameras require specific tape insertion methods. Improper tape insertion can have damaging effects on your camera. If you are unsure, take your camera and videotape to a video camera dealer that can help you with this matter.

9. Tripod

Even though is not a function found on the camera, a tripod is an essential adjunct to proper camera operation. Correctly extending and locking the tripod legs, attaching the camera to the tripod quick-release plate and operating the pan/tilt locks and handle are tasks and skills that must be mastered before attempting to shoot the wedding.

10. View finder

The flip-out screen monitor which functions like the viewfinder but with an easier-to-see display. Although more convenient for viewing, the flip-out screen requires more battery power. So if you find yourself running low on battery power, close the flip-out screen and use the viewfinder. (Both will not work at the same time. You must use one or the other.)

11. Record - Just because your camera may be turned on doesn't mean that you are capturing any video. You must push the Record button if you want to have something to playback to the bridal couple later. Once you push the record button, your viewfinder should display a red REC or red dot indicator, which verifies that the camera is recording. Another indication that you are recording will be a running time code display, also in your viewfinder/flip-out screen.

Just remember, fear and anxiety come from not being prepared. Becoming familiar with these basic video camera functions and settings will help you to be relaxed, confident and looking forward to capturing a once-in-a-lifetime event that the bride and groom will treasure forever.

For a full range of products for aspiring wedding videographers go to www.contrastvideo.co.uk