By Derrick Story
First Edition
July 2003
Pages: 125
Series: Pocket References
ISBN 10: 0-596-00523-7 |
ISBN 13: 9780596005238
(Average of 3 Customer Reviews)
The Digital Video Pocket Guide is organized into three chapters: "What Is It?", "How Does It Work?", and "How Do I...Tips, Tricks, and Techniques". Its compact size, organization, and detailed illustrations, make it easy to find the information you need. This is the ultimate shooting companion that will help your create the videos you want to show to friends, family, or even the world at large.
Full Description
Cover | Table of Contents | Index
Featured customer reviews
Digital Video Pocket Guide Review, December 22 2003
Digital videography is challenging and this useful pocket guidebook makes taking videos more exciting and fun. By following many of the suggestions and tips throughout this small reference book you will find it helpful when preparing for your next home movies. This is one of the few books dedicated to digital video. Most current publications like magazines keep you up to date with the latest gear but this book is more in-depth on the art of video productions. The author Derrick Story has written many books and provided photographs for countless others. The pocket guide is a series of small books that includes titles like digital photography, Macintosh Troubleshooting, Extreme Programming and over 200 other pocket guide titles.
As a video producer I found this book very easy to read and understand and felt this reference book would offer any level of videographer benefits from this information. The book is broken into 3 chapters and one reference guide. The first chapter starts with "What is it". This chapter covers the camcorder basics and may other more advanced concepts including time-code, analog line-in, aperture, image sensor, interlaced video and progressive scan. I was quite surprised that these subjects were covered since these are new features found on the newest camcorders and the average videographer may not be familiar with the concepts. It is nice to read about some of the newest features and how they can benefit the end user. This first chapter is very comprehensive going well beyond the camcorders instruction manual.
The second chapter covers the physical camera and its features, how does it work explain concepts and techniques for today's digital video shooting. The section on time-code and logging was invaluable. The third section is how do I...Tips, Tricks and Techniques offers 12 very helpful and modern information on what the average shooter may encounter.
One concept that often overlooked in the wave of new technology is the fundamentals. The art of storytelling is true regardless of the latest and greatest camcorders and accessories. The author emphasizes the camcorder is just the tool that allows the individual to create and visualize your message. I found myself revisiting several techniques that I have used in my video business on a recent trip to Baltimore for the US Open table tennis championships. I took my camcorder and candidly interviewed several players and officials. When taping my subjects I utilized the walking interview tips in the final section. The ability to change background offered variety to many of the candid comments. I also used the technique of entrances and exits. This allows the subject to enter the frame follows them for a period of time and then let them exit the frame. This clean shooting transition is a bridge commonly used in movies and TV shows.
Overall this book is very useful and I found several of the tips very informative. I recommend this book for the beginner and intermediate level digital video user.
Digital Video Pocket Guide Review, September 22 2003
Book Review: “Digital Video Pocket Guide”
by John Suda
“Digital Video Pocket Guide”, by Derrick Story, is another in the series of “Pocket Guides” from O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. Like the others, (including “The Digital Photography Pocket Guide” reviewed here favorably a number of months ago), it is a well-written, comprehensive introduction to a technical/aesthetic area.
This is a small, pocket-size book of 113 pages, including index, published on bright, glossy paper which provides brightness and contrast for its included photographs and makes it easier on the eyes for reading.
I have been contemplating investigating digital video myself for some time and found this little volume to be a near perfect introduction for a couple of reasons. First, the substantive material contains about everything one needs to get a start in digital video, from buying a camera, to learning and understanding its controls and features, to using the equipment, and tips on how to get some quality production from the camera. The second reason is the unusual (for a computer book) author’s “voice”. Story’s style is casual, friendly, clear, simple, encouraging, and even soothing, Imagine attending a 2 or 3 hour presentation by an informed camera salesperson who knows how to produce videos, who has the personality and presentation of Mr. Rogers.
It’s the substantive material which is most important however. Story walks the reader through the entire movie-making process, from start to finish. Even technical concepts like “black the tape”, “bumping”, and “zebra patterns” are made simple and easy to follow.
The book has three parts encompassing explanation of the equipment, how to use it, and how to produce some quality product. There is an appendix of a handful of quick reference tables pertaining to color temperature charts, types of microphones, and other incidental matters.
The best sections deal with learning how to shoot scenes including how to light a scene, and how to prevent wind from ruining your audio. There is a nice 10-step movie production checklist which details all one needs to start and complete a beginner’s video project.
For a small volume on a technical topic, this is an unusual good read.
Digital Video Pocket Guide Review, August 14 2003
It is one of the excellent book I read on Digital Video and Photography, author did a great job of explaining the concepts very well and how it improves the quality of a picture if we implement the authors suggestion. I implemented few of his suggestions and got very good photos. It talks about Digital video and digital photography, but the same techniques can be implemented for 35mm cameras too.
It is a must for a Beginner and Intermediate level photographer.
Media reviews
"['Digital Video Pocked Guide'] is most valuable to those who have a desire to be the next big Hollywood filmmaker or something close to it...The price is only $15. The price is inexpensive for someone who really wants to be good at making videos and movies. You can learn so much for so little."
--Vanessa Muldrow, Memphis PC Users Group, January 2004
"Well, my pockets aren't quite this big, but this handy, slim tome could easily be slipped into your video case for reference. It's a genuinely interesting little book that doesn't forget that digital video is still video, and we need to learn about traditional techniques such as shot composition, focus, zoom, and so on, not just bluetooth and batteries. The technical side of things is certainly not ignored, however, and you should find your fill of information on everything from A/V terminals, to exposure compensation, to image stabilization, to zebra patterns...Spielberg eat your heart out!"
--Internet.au, October 2003
"Few of us are cinematographers, but we've all picked up a video camera at some point...But 'point and shoot' can only take you so far, and many of us have found ourselves in the field without a crucial detail. Now, Derrick Story's 'Digital Video Pocket Guide' has nailed down the answers to our most common technical and operational questions. Weighing in at 126 pages, this fistful of facts takes up no more space than a couple of MiniDV cartridges...A mere glance can tell you what you need to know, whether it's what various depths of field will look like or how to cope with wind. Story's 'Pocket Guide' has uses off set too; wedding victims will find solace and support in his section entitled 'How to Survive Special Events.'"
--Tony Reveaux, Film/Tape World, September 2003
