Instruction manual

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Using the Zoom
Optical zoom should be used sparingly, but it can be a tremendous help in composing a
shot because you’ll rarely be in exactly the best location to take a photograph. Let the zoom
improve your framing, either by bringing the target a little closer (optically) or backing off a bit.
[Getting closer is the obvious attraction of any zoom, but zooming out can be very helpful by,
for example, revealing a road that may be used by emergency vehicles to get to the scene].
Zoom in until you get the frame you want or until the image in the viewfinder begins to
shake; if the image starts shaking, zoom out until the image becomes steady. [Note: Be
careful not to zoom in and out too much when using a camcorder. You can pause the
camcorder, zoom in or out to compose the next shot, and then start recording again.]
Note: If you do use the telephoto lens to zoom in on a target, we recommend you take
several photos to increase the chance that you will get a properly focused photo. Also, you
should carefully review the photo(s) before moving on to ensure the photo is sharply focused.
If available, use the camera’s magnifier function when reviewing the photos.
Minimize zooming during low light conditions.
12.3 Recording Video with the Camcorder
A typical imaging pattern begins with an overview of the target. The aircraft will be at
1000' AGL and one nm south of the target, with the pilot flying so that the AP is looking to the
North. Once this is completed, you move in for close-up video of the target, ensuring you
record views from each of the four cardinal points (North, South, East and West). This and
other patterns were discussed in the previous chapter.
Begin with a wide-angle (no zoom) setting and start recording about five seconds before
reaching the target or start point. When the target is abeam you can smoothly zoom in as
needed to frame the shot. Once you have the shot, zoom out for another wide-angle view
and stop recording (these wide-angle photos serve to show areas around the target and as
breaks between photos).
Play back the video of the overview to make sure you got the video you wanted. Once
the video is verified, the Mission Pilot proceeds to the target for the 360° close-up (not <1000'
AGL). Zoom in (smoothly) if necessary, but minimize zooming in and out while circling.
Once you have finished circling the target, zoom out to wide angle and then stop recording.
12.3.1 Audio Commentary
You should speak your commentary into your headset microphone using conversational
speech (i.e., use the same voice level and tempo that you would use in a normal
conversation). You should describe to the viewer what they are seeing through the
camcorder. This narrative will give the view all the information they need to understand what
they are looking at, along with supporting information such as aircraft altitude and speed,
location (e.g., latitude and longitude) and direction (e.g., “looking to the North”), date and time
of day, and weather conditions (e.g., clear or overcast).
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms in your narrative; you cannot assume that your
customer (or users from another agency) will understand what they mean.
You should begin your commentary by identifying the mission: this is CAP Flight 4239
flying mission number 06M1000, sortie #2. It is 1900Z on December 1, 2005.
Usually a video mission begins with an overview of the target (or target area) that is shot
from about one nm south of the target at an altitude of 1000' AGL. If the customer wants you
to start with a shot that shows a very large scene, but you can’t see the entire scene from this