The drills behind each course
These are the exercises we ask learners to repeat. Each one isolates a single skill, so you can see what changes in the picture when you change one setting or one position.
-
Exposure drill with a fixed subject
Keep the subject and light still, then change aperture, shutter speed and sensitivity one at a time. Note how each change alters brightness, motion and grain. The notes become your own reference card.
-
Tripod pan and tilt practice
Mark a start and an end point on the wall and move between them slowly and evenly. The aim is a smooth start, a steady middle and a soft stop. Repeat until the movement feels controlled.
-
Shot-planning worksheet
Sketch each planned shot, write the focal length and distance, and mark where the subject sits in the frame. Planning on paper first saves time when the recording starts.
-
Headroom and eye line framing
Frame a seated person at three distances and compare how much space sits above the head and beside the face. You will see quickly what feels cramped and what feels balanced.
-
Focal length comparison at one distance
Record the same subject from the same spot with different lenses or zoom settings. Look at background compression and how the subject feels in the frame. The differences are easy to see side by side.
-
Monitor reading and focus check
Practise judging sharpness and exposure on the monitor before recording. Check the eyes first, then the edges of the frame. Making this a habit prevents soft or dark takes.