If your business often shoots its own commercials, promotional videos or website videos, then you should have someone on your staff who knows how to use a television video camera and the accessories for television cameras. This can save you from having to hire freelance camera operators and save you thousands of dollars per shoot.

Most consumer TV cameras are fairly simple to use, with many automatic features. A professional television camera requires a bit more training, but will result in a higher quality final product. But for either piece of television camera equipment, television cameras and camera accessories education and training is a good idea. This training includes:

1. Finding out about the traits that make for a good television camera operator;

2. Reading and watching videos that explain the use of television cameras and television camera accessories;

3. And taking classes that teach how to use TV cameras and TV camera accessories.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn what type of person makes a good TV camera equipment operator

A good TV camera equipment operator will have technical expertise and be creative. The operator must select and present high-quality video in an interesting manner. The operator must also have an eye for a good picture and a steady hand while shooting video.

I recommend: Check out the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for a great description of the qualifications that are required in a television camera operator. EarnMyDegree.com explains how camera operators should be artistic, social, technical and solution-oriented people.

Teach yourself to operate television cameras and camera accessories

Once you've identified yourself or someone else in your organization as a person who would be a good television camera operator, it is time to start learning. You can pick up the basics of using television camera equipment by reading educational articles online and watching training videos. Be sure to use articles and videos that cover all aspects of television camera operation, including lighting, audio and troubleshooting.

I recommend: A great resource for learning to shoot video is the Videomaker website. It calls itself the place to start for videography training and contains hundreds of articles that will help you improve your skills and techniques. Studio 1 Productions sells a video series that covers topics such as shoot composition, taking care of the equipment, lighting and sound.

Take classes on the operation of TV camera equipment

When learning how to operate TV camera equipment, there is no substitute for in-person instruction. Classes are usually small, and the instructors are usually experienced videographers. The downside is the cost, which is often more than $1,000 for a good class.

I recommend: GeniusDV offers a two-day video production class that covers shooting and lighting techniques. The company is based in Orlando, but instructors will travel to train groups of people. Local community colleges, such as Bellevue Community College, often offer video production classes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your local cable access station to see if it offers any classes on using TV camera equipment. Many offer classes for free.

To make a television film project a success, having the right TV camera equipment and supplemental accessories and software make the difference between a quality end product and one that consumers just flick the remote past. All shows used to have the same look, but nowadays camera quality and creative style drive the differences in television programming.

TV cameras have to deal with a multitude of conditions from full noontime sun, to lowlight conditions, to weather related issues, to literally chasing after the story. And they have to be prepared to handle not only the stress of the journey but give you the raw footage you need to edit into your own television show.

To make the most out of the television cameras and camera accessories as well as software available to you:

1. Consider formal television video camera training before getting behind the lens. The equipment is expensive, and you want to make sure that you can safely operate it before you take on a project.

2. Purchase a camera suitable to your style and production quality need.

3. Follow-up with television camera editing software to package your raw footage into something viewable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase your television camera, accessories and more

You can easily find television cameras and camera accessories to fit your professional needs. Television camera equipment can include such items as the camera itself, monitors, mixers, recorders and more.

I recommend: Check out the professional video cameras by Panasonic. Their site features new products, special promotions and featured stories. They also carry a large line of other professional television camera items such as camcorders, production monitors, mixers and switchers, recorders and drives as well as tape and media. B & H Foto & Electronics Corp. is another great source for your camcorder and professional camera accessories needs. They offer TV camera equipment, production equipment, post production equipment, carrying and support equipment as well as industrial surveillance video equipment. surveillance-video.com and 2mcctv.com both offer surveillance and close circuit cameras great for reality show behind the scenes and intimate footage.

Buy a pre owned television camera for greater cost savings

Consider purchasing a pre owned television camera instead of purchasing new for a cost efficient means of buying.

I recommend: Try Bexel Broadcast Services for buying, selling or brokering of pre owned television cameras. Find used AMPEX, ARRIFLEX and BTS TV cameras for sale from Broadcast Store.

Be informed about your television camera and the training opportunities surrounding it

Brush up on your television camera industry news and info, or consider formal training either in camerawork or editing.

I recommend: Brush up on your knowledge and industry contacts at TVCAMERAMEN.COM. There you can find a wide variety of resources, information, news and features. Learn to be a camera person through the Los Angeles Film School. Once you have mastered your TV camera equipment, train on Avid through Video Symphony. You can request a free brochure on their Avid Editing Certificate Program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  TV camera equipment is expensive and tricky to work. Having a strong foundation in basic knowledge will ensure better safety for you and your equipment. On the flip side of that, though, too is that even if you have experience as a camera person, you can set yourself apart from the rest by investing in further formal training to improve your already developed skill sets.

TV cameras have come a long way since their inception with multiple fixed lenses mounted on a revolving turret. Today, we tend to take our power-zoom lenses for granted; not many people remember that when zoom lenses first came around, you had to crank them all by hand.

A broad variety of TV camera features and accessories exist to help you make the most of your film shooting. Before you run out and purchase expensive equipment, familiarize yourself with this basic vocabulary.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Booms

A boom is an essential video camera accessory used for positioning a microphone or camera for difficult shots where there's no room for a cameraman or you don't want the subject to be concerned about holding a mic.

I recommend: MediaCollege.com explains why microphone booms are useful video camera accessories; the same principle applies to video cameras mounted on booms as well.

Iris

Much like the iris in a human eye, the iris in a television camera lens determines how much light enters through the lens.

I recommend: The Television Production Handbook explains how the iris settings, known as the f-stop, modify the image your television captures, as well as how to properly set them.

Focal length

The focal length of a camera lens is essentially the distance from the optical center of the lens to the 'chip' in the camera that senses the entering light. The concept can be further simplified by just thinking of it as how long a lens is.

I recommend: The CyberCollege explains how a television camera's lens focal length affects how the subject is seen.

Angle of view

The angle of view is how wide an area or how many subjects a camera lens can capture at once; it might be easier to think of it as 'width' or 'breadth' of view instead.

I recommend: KenRockwell.com explains what angle of view is and how to calculate it.

Dolly

In the world of television cameras, a dolly is a movable cart, often on tracks, that allows you to smoothly move the television camera while still shooting.

I recommend: Jake Ludington's MediaBlab explains what a television camera dolly's purpose is and details how to make your own.

Filters

Filters do exactly what their name implies; they filter available light as it enters the lens of your television camera. 2X or 4X filters are especially useful in extremely bright light essentially adding another f-stop adjustment or two to your lens iris. Specialized filters, such as polarized filters, help enhance, reduce or modify aspects of light, like glare or colors.

I recommend: Video Expert explains what specific filters do, why you might or might not use them, and where to get them.