Blackmagic App: Adjusting focus

Welcome back to MediaFix! Before beginning production, it is essential for my role as a cinematographer that I am knowledgeable of my camera. This is why I decided to further my research and review the app I will use when filming. This is the Blackmagic camera app, using this app instead of just my main video format on my phone will open opportunities to enhance the footage of our production. The app allows me to change settings to achieve the look I want to create, but to do this I need to know how to use it properly.  

Reflecting on my last production, I struggled in certain areas within the Blackmagic app. This included controlling the focus of the shot. To further my knowledge of the app and to fix this problem for my current production, I reviewed an instructional video we were provided and viewed videos I thought would be helpful. In the video we were given, the techniques of using the app are explained, which will help me have more ease with the app during the time of filming. 

The problem I was facing was keeping the focus the same throughout the shot. I did not want the focus to change during the shot unless I was doing a rack focus shot. After studying the video, I learned that to keep the focus set a certain way, I need to click the blue auto button, changing the setting to manual. From there I can scroll through the focus pull to adjust where I want to focus to remain throughout the shot. Below is a screenshot of where I can adjust the focus with the manual setting on, circled in red. 

Black Magic Cam app- tutorial & Review for filmmaking on your iPhone, YouTube




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