16d • Video 🎥
Beginner’s Guide to Operating Camera for Events
1. Know Your Gear Before the Event
Spend a few minutes getting familiar with the camera:
- Power & Batteries: Ensure batteries are fully charged; bring spares.
- Memory Cards: Format cards before the event and have backups.
- Lens & Accessories: Clean the lens. Check the tripod, lights, and microphones.
Pro tip: Practice navigating menus like ISO, white balance, focus modes, and audio levels beforehand.
2. Set Up Early
Arrive at least 30–60 minutes before the event starts.
- Pick a stable location with a clear line of sight to the speakers.
- Avoid placing the camera near speakers to reduce audio vibration.
- Set up the tripod and level it for smooth panning.
3. Dial in Your Camera Settings
Getting your camera settings right is one of the most important parts of recording a conference. Since corporate events usually involve stable lighting and podium-based speakers, you can aim for consistency and clarity.
Resolution & Frame Rate
- 1080p is perfectly acceptable for internal use and livestreams.
- 4K is ideal if the footage will be repurposed for marketing or if you want flexibility to crop in post-production.
- A simple rule: shutter speed = double your frame rate.
- For 30 fps → 1/60 shutter speedThis keeps motion natural and prevents flickering from artificial lights.
ISO (Light Sensitivity)
- Keep ISO as low as possible (e.g., 100–800) to avoid noisy or grainy footage.
- Conference rooms can be dim, so adjust ISO only as needed after setting shutter and aperture.
Aperture
- A medium aperture such as f/4 to f/5.6 keeps the speaker sharp while maintaining enough depth of field.
- Avoid shooting too wide (like f/1.8), because small movements at the podium can cause the speaker to fall out of focus.
White Balance
- Do NOT leave this on auto.
- Set it manually to match room lighting:
- Tungsten (warm) → around 3200K
- Fluorescent → 4000–4500K
- Daylight → 5600K. This prevents color shifts when the speaker walks near screens or when lighting changes.
Focus
- Manual focus is best for podiums or panelists who remain in place.
- Use your camera’s focus peaking or magnification tools to lock sharp focus on the speaker’s eyes.
- If using autofocus, choose single-area or face detection to avoid the camera focusing on background screens.
Exposure Tools
Most professional and prosumer cameras include exposure guides:
- Zebra stripes help you avoid overexposure (set them around 70–75% for skin tones).
- Histogram helps ensure the image is well-balanced—not too dark, not too bright.
Dialing in these settings early ensures your footage remains stable and professional throughout the event—even if lighting shifts or speakers move.
4. Capture Great Audio
Audio matters even more than video for corporate content.
- Capture audio directly from a stereo send on the audio console if possible. Recording devices like KiPro Go’s are common for recording and synchronizing video and audio.
- Monitor levels with headphones—audio should peak around –6 dB.
5. Frame the Shot Properly
For a polished look:
- Keep the speaker’s eyes in the upper third of the frame.
- Avoid excessive headroom.
- Use slow, deliberate camera movements.
- If covering a panel, use a wider shot that captures all participants evenly.
6. Monitor Continuously
- Watch battery life and storage space.
- Keep an eye on focus, especially if the speaker moves.
- Adjust exposure when lighting changes (e.g., if blinds open or slides brighten the screen).
7. Record B-Roll if your client/production company is open to it.
If the conference allows some flexibility, gather:
- Audience reactions
- Networking shots
- Wide shots of the venue
- Branding elementsThis helps create highlight videos or promotional recaps later.
8. Wrap Up Carefully
After the event:
- Stop the recording before powering down.
- Back up footage immediately to two separate drives.
- Pack and store gear neatly for the next event.
🎬 Final Thoughts
Operating a video camera for a corporate conference is part technical skill and part preparation. When you understand your equipment, plan ahead, and stay attentive during the event, you’ll consistently capture clean, professional footage that represents your organization well.
2
0 comments
Beginner’s Guide to Operating Camera for Events
powered by
skool.com/the-av-wizards-club-1325
THE #1 Community For Learning Audio, Lighting, and Video. Join today to become a Wizard at event technology and content creation! 🧙🏻♂️
Suggested communities
Powered by