{"id":101,"date":"2020-05-14T12:24:43","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T16:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/360essentials\/?post_type=chapter&p=101"},"modified":"2021-05-17T19:55:08","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T23:55:08","slug":"chapter-3-oh-shoot-our-360-shooting-guide","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/360essentials\/chapter\/chapter-3-oh-shoot-our-360-shooting-guide\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 3: A Guide to Shooting in 360","rendered":"Chapter 3: A Guide to Shooting in 360"},"content":{"raw":"So you\u2019ve got your camera and you\u2019re ready to roll. In this chapter, we present our handy dandy field guide on how to prep your equipment, different types of 360 shots you can try and how to capture quality video no matter how fancy your gear is.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Setting your camera up for success<\/h1>\r\nMaking sure you\u2019re on point with your camera setup is absolutely vital because if you get this wrong, you may record at the wrong frame rate or resolution and possibly spoil your whole shoot. Again, this goes back to understanding what features your camera has and then knowing how to access them. It also helps to have everything you need gathered together, organized and checked to make sure they\u2019re in good working order. Use a gear checklist (like the one we\u2019ve provided below) before a major shoot:\r\n\r\n \r\n

GEAR CHECKLIST:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\u25fb 360 camera\r\n\r\n\u25fb Extra camera batteries OR an external USB power bank\r\n\r\n\u25fb A fast transfer\/high speed microSD card (we recommend a U3 rated SDXC card). An extra one is highly recommended\r\n\r\n\u25fb Monopod\/Selfie stick \u2013 This\/these are an absolute necessity. Holding a camera without a selfie stick will mean you will have a giant hand in the bottom of the screen. The monopod (get one with feet!) allows you to set up the camera and then leave it alone to record the scene\r\n\r\n\u25fb All necessary charging cables.\r\n\r\n\u25fb Lens cover or soft case (scratched lenses will destroy your camera!)\r\n\r\n\u25fb Any kind of waterproof case or sport housing you may need\r\n\r\n\u25fb Smartphone with 360 camera app \u2013 Make sure you have the app not only downloaded, but check all of this before you leave your home. Also, do all of this the night before so you can make sure it all works. Then you can fully charge your camera.\r\n\r\n\u25fb Lens cleaning kit - A regular camera lens cleaning kit will do.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOK, everything checked off? Before you go on your shoot, it\u2019s a good idea to run through your camera settings to make sure you\u2019ll get what you want.\r\n\r\n \r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Insert the battery and turn on the camera power. Does it show as fully charged?<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. In the menu, select the recording format that you want. We recommend you choose the highest quality possible. The minimum you want to select is 4K. If your camera has 5K capability (or higher), then we suggest using that setting. Check the frame rate as well. We suggest shooting at the highest frame rate available, with 30 frames per second (FPS) being the top option for many consumer-level 360 cameras. If you\u2019re shooting some slow motion or time lapse footage, 25 FPS will suffice.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Also, check the menu for any other recording anomalies. Some cameras may have a default record time before entering sleep mode (the Ricoh Theta V, for example shuts off after five minutes of recording on its default setting). This can be a disaster if you are using the camera to record a wedding, only to later find out it stopped (and did not automatically restart) midway through the vows! If there is a default time limit, be sure to change this.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Insert and format the microSD card. Once you have done this, do a short test record and play it back to make sure it recorded properly.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Clean the lens with your lens cleaning kit. If it has a lens cleaning fluid, never put the liquid directly on the lens. Spray or squirt the liquid onto the lens cleaning cloth first. Dirt on a 360 lens is bad news when shooting. A scratch it even worse news so make sure you are careful. While we are on the topic of scratches \u2013 NEVER LAY YOUR 360 CAMERA down on an unprotected lens. This is an easy way to scratch your lens. Some of the newer cameras (Kandao Qoocam 8K, GoPro Max) now come with inexpensive (and replaceable) lens covers. These should be used at all times and not just when shooting underwater. Protect your lens!<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Put your camera in a soft, protective case as you head out!<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    FUNDAMENTAL SHOT TYPES<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe cool thing about 360 video is that, thanks to technological innovations and a growing legion of daring filmmakers, new shooting techniques are being experimented with all the time. But at this point, it\u2019s prudent to master a few basic types of 360 shots before moving onto more advanced ideas.\r\n\r\nAs we\u2019ve mentioned before, unlike other forms of video storytelling where there are numerous types of shots, including medium-shots, close-ups and extreme close-ups, most kinds of shots in 360 video are variations of wide shots. Having said that, there are some consistent types of shots that form the basis of 360 visual storytelling. They may be basic, but they are very effective.\r\n\r\nIn a sense, most 360 video shots are either stationary (camera stays still) or moving shots (camera is on the go).\r\n\r\n \r\n

    Stationary shot with no particular primary subject or focal point<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nFig. 1:\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NVXDrvQSlf8[\/embed]\r\n\r\nIn this shot above, of a Hong Kong market at night, the 360 camera is set to record the environment or scene at hand with no particular focal point. Everything in the scene is free for the viewer to explore and, for the most part, approximately equal distance from the camera. As we\u2019re working with a 3DoF camera, the viewer can choose where to look in the video, but remains stationary while the action unfolds around them.\r\n\r\n \r\n

    Stationary shot with a primary subject or focal point<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nFig. 2:\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DyE3LoHv7B8&t=15s[\/embed]\r\n\r\nIn this wide shot, the camera is also planted to remain stationary, except this time, there is a primary subject or focal point that the filmmakers want you to see. The viewer is still free to explore other parts of the scene, however, it is clear from the camera position that the statute of Bruce Lee in Hong Kong\u2019s Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront is meant to draw your attention. When you\u2019re shooting a stationary shot with a particular focal point in mind, remember these key tips: a) be sure that the subject is at least two feet away from the lens to avoid blurring or distortion b) the subject is not caught in the camera\u2019s blind spot and in danger of being in the stitch line and c) make sure the camera is dead level (or as much as reasonably possible).\r\n\r\n \r\n

    Moving\/tracking shots (aka \u201cthe walking shot\u201d)<\/strong><\/h4>\r\nFig. 3:\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=v7bBrCSXdrA&t=19s[\/embed]\r\n\r\nIf you want to bring the viewer through a scene, then you may consider using a moving shot to bring the camera from one spot to another. In order to create this type of shot, you will most likely have to hold the camera with a selfie stick (unless you have access to a drone or some kind of professional dolly). And unless you have a 360 camera that\u2019s large enough to hide under its blind spot, you will more than likely end up being in the shot itself. That\u2019s not necessarily an issue, as many 360 content creators end up being \u201chosts\u201d in their videos, perhaps leading their viewers through tours of places or if a reporter acts as a guide. If you\u2019re going to be in the shot, just act natural and try to become part of the environment as much as possible. There are many different ways one could hold and position the camera while walking, including straight overhead (so the camera operator appears at the bottom of the video) or in front of the body a few feet (so the camera operator appears when you look behind). Some filmmakers have also mounted 360 cameras onto helmets to try to create a first-person perspective feel, although those can be tough to shoot. Feel free to try different variations and compare the results. Whatever you do, when you tackle a moving or walking shot, we would advise you to:<\/strong>\r\n