2 Camera Basics and Composition

Camera types and controls

A camera controls how light is recorded and what the audience sees inside the frame. Choose a camera suited to the shot, then use its controls and the viewfinder or screen to check the image.

Choosing a camera and using its controls

Phones and compact cameras have built-in lenses and are convenient for quick, lightweight shooting, though their controls and lens options may be more limited than those of larger cameras. Mirrorless cameras and DSLRs usually accept interchangeable lenses and offer direct control over exposure and focus. A DSLR uses a mirror and optical viewfinder; a mirrorless camera does not. Both can be used for stills and video, depending on the model.

Camcorders and cinema cameras are designed primarily for recording video. Their features vary, but they may provide video-oriented controls, recording formats, or built-in lens systems.

Common camera controls include the shutter or record button, mode dial, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus mode, zoom or focal-length control, and exposure compensation. Exposure compensation asks an automatic exposure system to make the image brighter or darker. Check the frame and, when available, exposure and focus indicators on the viewfinder or screen. Consult the camera’s manual for model-specific controls.

Lenses and focal length

A lens gathers and focuses light. Focal length is measured in millimeters and affects the angle of view: a shorter focal length includes more of the scene, while a longer one shows a narrower view and makes distant subjects appear larger. The precise view also depends on the camera’s sensor size.

A prime lens has one focal length; a zoom lens covers a range of focal lengths. Wide-angle lenses are useful for showing a subject within its surroundings, while telephoto lenses help frame distant subjects or isolate details. Lens choice also affects perspective and how much of the background appears in the shot. Moving the camera changes perspective; zooming changes the lens’s angle of view.

Exposure and the three main settings

Exposure is the brightness of the recorded image. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are related settings that shape exposure, and changing one may mean adjusting the others. These settings also affect the image’s appearance beyond brightness: aperture affects depth of field, and shutter speed affects how movement is rendered.

Aperture is the lens opening, expressed as an f-number. A lower f-number means a wider opening and more light; a higher f-number means a smaller opening and less light. Aperture also affects depth of field, the range that appears acceptably sharp.

Shutter speed controls how long light reaches the sensor. A faster speed reduces motion blur, while a slower speed lets in more light but can make movement blur. ISO controls how strongly the camera responds to the sensor’s signal. Raising ISO can help in low light but may add visible image noise; lowering it generally preserves cleaner image quality when enough light is available.

For example, if a moving subject looks blurred, use a faster shutter speed. If the resulting image is too dark, a wider aperture or higher ISO may help.

Setting and checking focus

Focus determines which part of the image appears sharp. Autofocus (AF) lets the camera set focus; manual focus (MF) lets the operator adjust it. Many cameras offer single autofocus for relatively still subjects and continuous autofocus for subjects that move.

Select or position the focus area over the subject that matters, often a person’s eyes in a close shot, and check the image on the screen or through the viewfinder. Autofocus may struggle with low contrast, fast movement, or subjects that are too close for the lens to focus.

Framing and shot size

Framing is the selection and arrangement of everything visible within the image. Before recording, check where the subject sits, what appears behind them, and whether anything in the frame is distracting. Keep the camera steady unless movement is intentional, and choose a camera height and angle that support the scene’s purpose.

Common shot sizes include:

• Wide shot: Shows a person and much of the surrounding place.

• Medium shot: Shows a person from roughly the waist or chest upward.

• Close-up: Emphasizes a face or detail.

A sequence moving from a wide shot to a closer shot can establish a location and then draw attention to a person or detail.

Composition and visual attention

The rule of thirds is a useful starting point: imagine two horizontal and two vertical lines dividing the frame into nine sections, then place an important subject near a line or intersection. It is a guideline, not a requirement; centered framing can work well for symmetry or emphasis.

For a person looking or moving toward one side, leave some look room in that direction. Keep headroom—the space above the head—intentional rather than excessive. Visual lines, foreground objects, and background shapes can guide attention, add depth, or compete with the subject. Moving a little to one side can often remove a distracting background object or separate the subject from the surroundings.

For an interview, try a medium close-up with the subject’s eyes near the upper third of the frame. Leave space in the direction of their gaze, check that the background is not distracting, and confirm that focus stays on the subject’s eyes.

Putting the choices together

Choose a camera and lens suited to the shot, then use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to balance exposure and control the image’s appearance. Set focus on the intended subject. Compose deliberately by choosing a shot size, positioning the subject, managing headroom and look room, and checking the background. Composition guidelines support clear storytelling, but they can be adjusted whenever the scene calls for a different effect.