Basic Camcorder Guide. - book reviews

by Steve Briant, 95 pages, published by Amherst Media, 418 Homecrest Dr., Amherst, NY 14226, $9.95 plus $2.50 shipping.

If you own a camcorder or are planning to buy one, all the information needed to get started and have fun can be found in this book, and everything is explained in plain English. Basic Camcorder Guide outlines each format and what it's best suited for (to make buying easy) and teaches home video making.

Read about what features to look for before making the investment. If you already own a camcorder, this section can refamiliarize you with the capabilities in each format. Once you know what your camcorder can do, the author presents 40 ideas to "give your home videos a professional look, sound and feel. "

The ideas can be read and used in any order. Start with the basics or move directly into the advanced sections. Basic techniques include zooming, focus options (automatic or manual), and panning. The sections on composition and framing teach how to shoot scenes more pleasing to the eye. Information about backlight, color enhancement, and filters will add polishing touches to your videos.

The more advanced ideas cover how to shoot fast paced events like sports and auto racing. With Basic Camcorder Guide, animation and time lapse photography will help produce videos you never thought possible.

COPYRIGHT 1992 Photographic Society of America, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group