Things You'll Need:
- Sheet of white paper
- Headphones
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Step 1
Determine if the manual mode operation is correct for the situation. Usually it is best to use manual settings on a set shot with little required camera movement (if any) and subjects that will basically be a constant distance from the camera. A perfect example is a shot that shows the entire stage of a school play or a large part of a soccer field. The advantage of the manual mode is that the auto ocus will not mistake the movement of spectators as something important and refocus.
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Step 2
Set the camcorder up, preferably on a tripod. If there will not be any camcorder movement, automatic image-stabilizing features may be activated. Scroll through the automated lighting settings (which may have a special name, such as AES) until the best picture is seen on the screen or through the viewfinder.
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Step 3
Zoom in on something as close to pure white as possible (use a white sheet of paper if available) and activate the white balance feature. Wait for the white balance to adjust.
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Step 4
Center the camcorder on the desired shot. Focus the camcorder using the focus ring (found on most camcorders) or focus adjustment buttons. The camcorder will be focused on a fixed distance, so even if it will be moved slightly, the focus will remain more or less correct until the zoom is adjusted.
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Step 5
Adjust the volume level, if desired, by monitoring the microphone levels with a set of headphones connected to the camcorder.
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Step 6
Start recording. Even if tapes need to be changed during the event, as long as the camcorder is not turned off or moved, everything will keep the proper settings when the recording is ready to be continued.
