Debayering and RAW Image Data

  • Debayer: The process of converting raw image data captured from a camera sensor into an RGB image.

  • Raw Data: Signals sent straight from the sensor before debayering, allowing more flexibility in post-production.

  • Raw Footage: Raw footage is transformed into RGB video, where signals for each color channel (red, green, blue) are recorded individually.

Video Recording and Compression

  • Component Video: A form of video that uses:

    • Luminance signal (greyscale)

    • Two chrominance signals (color)

    • Records these components separately.

  • Color Space: The range of hues and tones a system can reproduce.

  • External Video Recorders: Dedicated devices that record camera signals and have built-in monitors, but are not cameras.

  • Compression: The process of reducing video/audio into smaller packages for storage, which can be decompressed while retaining original quality.

    • Codecs: Compression schemes used to maximize picture quality for recording versus minimizing data size for playback.

Audio Recording

  • External Sound Recorders: Commonly used in video productions to record audio separately from the camera’s footage.

Film Cameras

  • Functionality: Film cameras focus light onto a rectangular area of film.

  • Operation:

    • Shutter blocks light; after exposure, film is pulled into position.

    • Shutter reopens to allow light in for the next frame.

Film Projectors

  • Similar to cameras, but project developed images onto screens using bright lamps behind frames.

Film Types and Evolution

  • Early Film: Made from highly flammable cellulose nitrate (35mm wide).

  • Cellulose Acetate: More stable and replaced the initial film types; polyester has since taken over.

    • Larger film size correlates with increased quality.

  • Film Processing: Using larger areas of emulsion per exposure decreases grain and imperfections in the image.

Professional Film Stock

  • Color Negative Film: Used in most professional productions; tonality and colors reversed upon development.

  • Editing Film: Films shot on film can be digitized through video/digital transfer or digital intermediate processes.

Super 8mm Film History

  • Introduction: 8mm introduced in 1932, later super 8 with larger frames in 1965, aspect ratio 1.33.

16mm Film History

  • Introduction: 16mm introduced in the 1920s, with a 1.33 aspect ratio.

  • Super 16: Developed in the 1970s to capture a larger image with a 1.67 aspect ratio.

35mm Film and Features

  • Usage: Hefty cameras, used in high-budget productions.

  • Allows for various aspect ratios including standard 1.33 ratios with perforations for soundtracks.

  • Super 35mm: Utilizes sound area for image capture, facilitating 1.85 or 1.78 (16:9) aspect ratios.

Larger Film Formats and Projection

  • 65mm Film: High-budget films photographed in 65mm shown on 70mm prints with added sound width.

  • IMAX and Omnimax: 65mm also utilized in these formats, running horizontally through the camera.

Film Camera Components

  • Lens: Focuses light onto film.

  • Lens Mount: Connects the lens to the camera body.

  • Viewfinder: Allows for previewing the shot via a reflex system.

  • Film Chamber: Holds the film before and after exposure.

  • Motor: Powers the film movement for exposure.

  • Claw: Pulls down the film frame by frame during use.

  • Film Gate: Area where raw stock is exposed to light, held flat by pressure and aperture plates.

  • Shutter: Closes between exposures to block light,

  • Shutter Speed and Exposure: Duration the shutter remains open determines exposure intensity.

Stock and Film Characteristics

  • Raw Stock: Unexposed film, moves through a feed reel into the film gate.

  • Shutter Types: A variable shutter can adjust the shutter angle, altering speed and exposure.

Standard Speed and Frame Rates

  • Standard Projection Speed: 24 fps.

  • NTSC Frame Rates: 23.98 fps for telecine transfers to match video camera rates.

Film Handling and Video Assist Technology

  • Magazines: Detachable chambers for film loading.

  • Video Assist: Tracks footage using an additional video camera.

Sound Dampening Techniques

  • Barney Covers: Used to quieten high-end film cameras and protect from temperature changes.

Multi-Format Cameras & Lens Adjustments

  • Multi-Format Cameras: Some can shoot in 16mm and super 16, requiring lens adjustment to fit different formats.

Parts of Film and Development Process

  • Emulsion Layers: Consist of light-sensitive silver halide crystals in gelatin atop a film base, covered by antihalation backing to minimize scattered light reflection.

  • Development: Light exposure creates latent images, revealed through chemical reactions reducing silver halide to metallic silver, forming the film: darkness correlates with concentration of silver.

Negative-Positive Process

  • Function: Printing from the negative involves inverting colors again to produce a positive image, typically standard for 16mm and 35mm filmmaking.

Reversal Film Process

  • Outcome: Yields a positive image projected directly, previously standard in 8mm and 16mm. Relies on unexposed silver halide removal and additional exposure to establish brightness values during processing.

Characteristic Curve Analysis

  • Graphical Representation: Shows exposure versus density relationship, indicating how exposure affects film density through progressive light exposure.

    • Negative Stocks: More exposure = more density.

    • Positive Stocks: More exposure = less density (inverse).

Film Speed and ISO Considerations

  • Film Speed: Reflects light sensitivity; faster stocks need less light for exposure.

  • Exposure Index (EI): A numerical representation of speed useful for calculating optimal exposure.

    • ISO Number: Commonly recommended by manufacturers; medium speed is approximately ISO 100.

    • Doubling ISO: Increases light sensitivity by double.

Film vs Digital ISO Differences

  • Film ISO remains fixed due to the properties of the physical film.

  • Digital ISO adjusts sensor sensitivity via electronic amplification of captured light.

Color Temperature and Film Stocks

  • Balance: Film types are made for specific color temperatures:

    • Tungsten film: Balanced for 3200K.

    • Daylight film: Balanced for approximately 5500K.

Contrast and Gamma Relations

  • Characteristic Curve Steepness: Indicates film's contrast level; steeper curves indicate higher contrast.

  • Gamma: Measures this steepness within a specific range.

  • Force Processing: Raising ISO sensitivity through development processes.

Reducing Gamma Effects

  • Pulling (underdeveloping) or flashing (exposing to slight light prior) decreases contrast with minimal bright area impact.

  • Bleach Bypass: Skips crucial bleaching steps, resulting in metallic silver remaining in emulsion, affecting colors and contrast.

Depth of Field Characteristics

  • Depth of Field (DOF): Extends from in front of and behind the subject centered in focus.

  • Control Mechanisms: Adjust camera distance, focal length, or f-stop to manipulate DOF.

  • Hyperfocal Distance: Closest point resulting in optimal DOF.

Lens Types and Functions

  • Normal Lens: Medium focal length, yielding a natural perspective, often considered 50mm in photography (narrow angle in cinema).

  • Focal Length Effects: Determines field of view and how closely a subject appears.

Aperture and Exposure Adjustments

  • F-Number Calculation: Aperture size determined by focal length over the aperture diameter. Common scale: 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4… 32.

  • T-stop: Compensates for light loss due to reflections and scatter.

Lighting Techniques and Equipment

  • Light Types: Differentiated by characteristics such as hardness or softness (clean harsh shadows vs diffuse light).

  • Three-Point Lighting Setup:

    • Key Light: Highest intensity light defining key shadows.

    • Fill Light: Softens shadows without causing new ones.

    • Backlight: Situates behind the subject, enhancing dimensions.

Electrical Load and Contrast

  • Outlet Power Safety: Common American outlets provide 15 amps; exceeding this can lead to electrical fires.

  • Contrast: Critical element conveying information and emotions, defined through scene choices and image capture intricacies.

Video Signal and Gamma Transfer Curves

  • Video Systems: Compression applied to tones; digital systems manage a wide brightness range effectively.

  • Characteristic Curve: Similar to film, indicative of exposure versus density, necessary for effective transition from scene to display.

Density Levels and Curve Dynamics

  • D-min: Minimum density established even without exposure. It has video equivalents considering digital noise.

    • Straight Line Section: Constant change in density; includes toe and shoulder curves to determine density consistency at extremes.

Film Processing and Gamma Impact on Color Grading

  • Gamma Applied during Grading: Affects how images appear on various monitors and how exposure adjustments influence final output.

  • Deciding Impacts on Exposure: Best practices using observations such as zebra indicators, histogram analysis, and waveform monitor adjustments ensure accurate results.

Conclusion and Practical Application

  • Manual Settings: Always set ISO, shutter speed, and iris manually based on scene requirements and tonal highlights/shadow preservation. Adjust smoothly between shooting, monitoring, and post-production stages.