Digital Video Pocket Guide
Book Review by RipYarnallEven if you’ve already been producing digital video for a while, this little 113-page book will make an indispensable addition to your gadget bag. From camcorder basics and fundamental shooting practices to advanced tips and tricks of video shooting and editing, Story’s book, Digital Video Pocket Guide, is a convenient and vital reference upon which you will soon build a happy dependence.
It begins with a discussion of various levels of DV camera from entry level to pro. You’ll learn what features to expect and for how much money. Then it offers a detailed description of the function of all those buttons and switches normally found on a digital video camera. Many close-up photos of digital video cameras are provided to help you locate and recognize the controls under discussion.
The middle section of this small but valuable reference book covers the meat and potatoes of shooting digital video including light and sound considerations. Section sub-headings include, “Prepare the tape for shooting, Think light and sound, Manage timecode, Back up your master cut and project files and Prepare copies for specific types of output.”
Then comes the good stuff: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for making professional-looking videos. From shooting outdoor action video to coping with lighting and sound considerations at special events, there is a abundance of important and priceless knowledge to be reaped from this one small volume. The best part is that it is all laid out for the reader in clear, logical and easy to assimilate prose-with plenty of full-color illustrations.
The back of the book offers an appendix of 10 quick-reference tables including a color temperature chart in Kelvin, Lux ratings in common lighting situations, Video minutes to hard drive space used (be sitting down when you first look at it) and types of microphones and their respective characteristics and pick-up patterns.
Whether consulted frequently or only occasionally, there is no doubt that this Digital Video Pocket Guide belongs in every digital video photographer’s bag.Digital Video Pocket Guide
By Derrick Story
O’Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol, CA95472
$14.95 U.S. $23.95 CAN
1-800-998-9938
info@o’reilly.com <mailto:info@o'reilly.com>
www.oreilly.com <http://www.oreilly.com>
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