Camera Operations
This domain tests safe, repeatable camera work: exposure, focus, white balance, frame rate and shutter, support and movement. Expect numerical questions on shutter speed and practical questions on setup checks.
The exposure triangle
- Aperture (f-stop): controls light and depth of field; lower f-number = more light, shallower depth.
- Shutter: controls motion blur and exposure. The 180-degree rule gives shutter = 1/(2 × frame rate).
- ISO: sensor sensitivity/gain; raising it brightens but adds noise.
Setup checklist
Balance the tripod, level the head, set frame rate and resolution, set shutter, set white balance to the light source, set ND for the aperture you want, focus, check audio channels, format/verify media, and check battery and monitoring tools (zebras, peaking, waveform).
Movement and support
Pan, tilt, dolly, truck, pedestal, handheld, gimbal, crane. A fluid head is for smooth pans and tilts; a tripod is for locked-off stability. Move with a purpose and a start/stop point.
Worked example
Shooting at 25 fps for a PAL/Indian delivery. The 180-degree rule gives shutter = 1/(2 × 25) = 1/50 s. If the image is too bright at f/2.8, add ND rather than raising shutter to 1/1000, which would make motion look harsh. Reasoning: shutter is chosen for motion cadence first, then exposure is controlled with aperture, ND and light.
Traps that cost marks
- Using a high shutter as a neutral exposure control.
- Confusing white balance with exposure.
- Thinking higher ISO always improves an image.
- Forgetting that frame rate and shutter interact.
- Setting up a tripod without levelling or balancing.