Our Current Publications
Embark on a journey...
Complete, in depth coverage of the film making process using text, video tutorials, animations, graphics and photographs.
Our eBooks draw you into the fascinating world of film making and give you the knowledge and skills to become part of it.
The Lens and Its Image - The Secrets of Lenses
We begin with The Lens and Its Image, the first Module of Getting to Know and Use Your Equipment.
The lens is the camera's eye. It defines all the pictures you're going to get up on the screen. Although it's a technical subject, you're also going to be shown how to use lenses creatively.
If your camera can be set to either auto or manual control, and at the moment you prefer to use it on the auto setting, it could well be that you use auto because your understanding of lenses is quite limited. If this is the case, and you'd like to switch to manual, the module on the Lens and Its Image is a good place to start as it will demystify lenses and bring them to life for you. Lenses are the life of your film. They define the type of shot you see, the mood, and the clarity.
It's a good idea to have your camera with you as you read and watch the eBooks. If you don't have a film camera yet, then grab your stills camera.
The five eBooks in this Module take you through the functions of a lens and how you can use them to enhance your film production. People always seem to talk about the finer points of their camera, excited when they have the latest model, but really the camera is only as good as the lens being used with it. You may have the most expensive camera you can buy, but if you only have an average lens on it, it's possible that a cheaper camera with a brilliant lens will give far better pictures.
The use of video tutorials to explain what is often thought of as a rather technical aspect of film making, highlights the creative possibilities which the understanding of this area brings to the filmmaker.
So here is a brief outline of the first eBooks we are releasing in The Lens and Its Image module. We also have a FREE book called A New Approach to Training - An Insight which we advise you to read first. See more about this and how to get a free copy in our How To Use Our eBooks Page.
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Book 1 - Focal LengthThis is the first book of the Module, The Lens and Its Image. Your mentor and trainer, Ian Ingram Young, covers focal length with an easy to understand approach. Focal Length is a term that is much used, but often not quite understood and this eBook explains its meaning, and its practical application in both film making and stills photography. Sometimes technical definitions can be difficult to understand but, with the help of video tutorials, you learn about the importance of focal length in the designing of your shots and look into the term "Normal Focal Length" in relation to lenses. The focal lengths of both prime and zoom lenses are discussed and advice is given about when and how you should use a matt box. Tips on how to use lenses safely will help to make sure that you do not damage the most important part of your camera, the lens. As with all the eBooks in this series, the book finishes with a list of things you should be able to do once you have studied the content thoroughly, as well as a list of questions you should be able to answer. The eBook contains approximately 17 minutes of video footage. Purchase Price: AU$5.99
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Book 2 - ApertureWhat is aperture? How does it affect our pictures? With so many automatic cameras, both moving and stills, being used today, many people don't give aperture much of a thought. It is, however, extremely important in determining whether or not you get a stunning shot or a mediocre one or, indeed, a shot that is too dark or too light which can be very disappointing if it's of a special occasion. This eBook covers the meaning of aperture and goes through the two scales that are used, the f scale and the T scale. The video examples of how aperture controls exposure are really helpful. You learn how to set the aperture and what the term, ‘maximum aperture' means. The video tutorial is a great way to compare the maximum aperture of different lenses. Finally, Ian explains how you read the information to be found on the lens barrel. This eBook is a must for anyone who has ever had trouble in remembering which way you should go on the aperture scale to make sure that exposure will be correct !! Once again the book finishes with a list of things you should be able to do once you have studied the content thoroughly as well as a list of questions you should be able to answer. The eBook contains approximately 15 minutes of video footage. Purchase Price: AU$5.99
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Book 3 - FocusAs we all know, focus is critical - no one wants to look at a blurry image, be it in a movie or a stills photograph. This eBook takes a very thorough look at how to make sure all your pictures are sharp. Some simple optical principles are covered in an easy to understand way and you are taken step by step through how to focus your viewfinder as well as your lens. Have you heard of conjugate foci? If not, you will find out what they are in this eBook. There is a chapter on prime lenses and one on zoom lenses explaining the different methods used to obtain correct focus. There are three check lists in the Prompt Notes section, one for the focus puller, one listing the steps to take when focusing a prime lens and the third one listing the steps for focusing a zoom lens. Obviously with time the procedures will become second nature to you, but you should find these very helpful for your first productions. As always you have the chapters on things you should be able to do and the questions you should be able to answer. The eBook contains appproximately 20 minutes of video footage. Purchase price: AU$5.99
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Book 4 - Depth of FieldThe subject of depth of field is very well covered and illustrates how the image receiver, focal length, aperture, focus distance and the permissible circle of confusion all play their part. The chapter on how to use a depth of field calculator is excellent. It's great to see it actually happening before your eyes on the calculator ! Differential focusing is covered in some detail with the video clips from films where it has been used to great creative effect, making you want to go out and shoot using this technique straight away. It is very useful to know how to obtain the greatest depth of field for a shot and this is explained within the context of what is known as hyperfocal distance. The chapter on the focus pull explains how this term originated and if you haven't heard of the term barrelling, or you don't really know what it means, the visual examples explain it very well. As with the first three books the video tutorials are a tremendous aid to understanding this complex subject and the book finishes with a list of things you should be able to do once you have studied the content thoroughly as well as a list of questions you should be able to answer. The eBook contains appproximately 26 minutes of video footage. Purchase here: AU$5.99
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Book 5 - Macro and Back FocusMacro and back focus are areas that are not as well known as the topics in the previous eBooks, and so it is good to find out exactly what these terms mean. You should be aware that both macro, and especially back focus, require very precise adjustment if focus problems are to be avoided. By studying this eBook you will learn how to use the macro controls on lenses correctly. You will also be shown how to set the back focus on your camera correctly so that you do not run the risk of all your focusing arrangements being out. You are taken through the back focus procedure step by step via a video tutorial and after watching it a few times most of you should feel confident enough to set the back focus on any camera you are using. If you are thinking of buying a secondhand zoom lens, you will find the chapter on how to recognise problems like axial shift and creep really helpful. Lastly, of course, there are the chapters on things you should be able to do and the questions you should be able to answer. The eBook contains approximately 21 minutes of video footage Purchase Price: AU$5.99 |
