What a DSLR Can Do For You
by:
Nick Ventura
If you are looking to take you videos to the next level a
DSLR might be just what you need. A digital single-lens reflex camera (
DSLR) will not only give you the options to get any creative shot you need but force you to become a better photographer and videographer. These cameras can take videos and pictures and give you the opportunity to customize virtually all aspects of the camera. With numerous cameras offering a wide range of customizable settings and interchangeable lenses, you will learn over time how to get the most out of your camera. Where a camcorder allows you to use autofocus and automatic settings, a
DSLR allows you to individually pick each of these settings and or choose which ones you want to be automatic.
Since these cameras have had video capabilities these have been the choice of many videographers because of the options it has. You can get a basic level
DSLR with a basic lens set-up and by simply upgrading the lens you can be taking professional level video clips and pictures. Why these cameras have become so widely used is the way hunting videos have evolved. To tell a story of the hunt a picture must be painted of everything leading up to the climax of the hunt. These shots also known as “b-roll” can all be taken with the
DSLR. The creative shots that it can take range from
slider shots to time lapses. Some of the things that stand out with the
DSLR compared to the camcorder is the ability to get a great depth of field. This type of shot has become very popular, where you can have the subject in focus while having everything else out of focus. The lower your aperture, the more depth of field you can have. The depth of field depends on the lens of course and is essentially the amount of light that is let in, the more you zoom the more limited you are on how low your aperture can be. The depth of field is what can usually set apart a shot from a camcorder from a
DSLR. When the subject is in focus and everything around it is not it makes it stand out more, which gives it more clarity.
While filming a hunt may be a challenge with the
DSLR some of these camcorders feature the ability to actually auto focus in video mode giving them another advantage over a camcorder. The benefits of the
DSLR go as far as you can take them, the more you learn the better shots you can get and the better footage you can get. When the hunt is done all that is left to do is to figure out how the story is going to be told. What had happened and your words is the best way to portray a hunt. Through quality and clear footage you can show your audience how the hunt actually happened. When all the footage you want has been captured with the small and handy
DSLR the only thing left to do is take trophy photos. It is only until now that you can get amazing quality photos out of the same tool you use to film your hunts.
While the thought of customizing everything to your liking and all the options may scare away those just starting to use a camera its automatic settings can teach you how to properly use your camera. Every camera has different features however some of the things a
DSLR can allow you to set to automatic are the shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and in some cameras the focus. This will teach you what each setting means and ultimately allow you get the best out of your camera. Every videographer whether it is beginner or veteran has a vision of what they would like there footage to look like whether its color, clarity, or what’s in focus the
DSLR can allow to get that look. You no longer have to limit yourself to just what your camera is capable of. A
DLSR does not have to break the bank and with its lenses can give you the opportunity to advance yourself when you are ready.
The next time you are watching a hunt think to yourself how long the kill is and how long everything that is showed before takes. The story and all the footage that goes along with it can be just as important as the actual shot. The
DSLR can be your best friend when it comes to telling the story, through time lapses, rack-focus, slider shots, and many other cool techniques the
DSLR should be your next purchase. The possibilities are endless and this camera will make you a better videographer. Do not make your next purchase based on how easy it may be to use, but the purchase that will supplement any footage you get and force you to be a better videographer.
Watch a DSLR in Action:
What a DSLR can do for you from
Nick Ventura on
Vimeo.
Since these cameras have had video capabilities these have been the choice of many videographers because of the options it has. You can get a basic level DSLR with a basic lens set-up and by simply upgrading the lens you can be taking professional level video clips and pictures. Why these cameras have become so widely used is the way hunting videos have evolved. To tell a story of the hunt a picture must be painted of everything leading up to the climax of the hunt. These shots also known as “b-roll” can all be taken with the DSLR. The creative shots that it can take range from slider shots to time lapses. Some of the things that stand out with the DSLR compared to the camcorder is the ability to get a great depth of field. This type of shot has become very popular, where you can have the subject in focus while having everything else out of focus. The lower your aperture, the more depth of field you can have. The depth of field depends on the lens of course and is essentially the amount of light that is let in, the more you zoom the more limited you are on how low your aperture can be. The depth of field is what can usually set apart a shot from a camcorder from a DSLR. When the subject is in focus and everything around it is not it makes it stand out more, which gives it more clarity. 
