One of the many beauties of a DSLR camera is that you can take both still photographs and films. It’s the perfect tool for photographers and filmmakers who are either just starting out on their professional or amateur path or are already out there publishing photographs and shooting entire independent films.

You may be surprised to discover the versatility of the video function of DSLR cameras, since using a still camera to create videos can seem counterintuitive, or even intimidating. But the process of capturing motion isn’t as mystical as it might seem. Essentially, it’s just building up from a set of tools and principles that all filmmakers use to practice their craft.

“You’ve got to get into video because you’re missing out on an opportunity,” says DSLR video instructor Victor Ha. “And if you do your due diligence and if you stay committed to the cause and you push hard and you learn and you work, you’re going to be so much better off.”

Challenging you to get better acquainted with DSLR filmmaking—and to get out there and shoot your own stories, whether for pay or pleasure—is one of the overarching goals of Mr. Ha’s course, Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking. Over the course of 39 lessons, you’ll join a studio of like-minded visual artists and discover the many opportunities DSLR filmmaking affords. It’s a unique, immersive chance to be creative and to step up your game the next time you feel compelled to tell a story with your DSLR camera.

Through hands-on demonstrations, Mr. Ha guides you through the core techniques of DSLR filmmaking. You’ll learn how to take the same skill set of a still photographer and apply it to video compositions. You’ll navigate the many video-capturing features of your DSLR camera and the right gear for your particular filmmaking needs. From framing shots to shadows to spatial relationships, the skills you’ll develop in Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking will leave you inspired and prepared to create high-quality, engaging film projects.

Explore Different DSLR Film Productions

Mr. Ha is a firm believer in the age-old idea that practice makes perfect. If you really want to be passionate about your videography, you’re going to need to practice. And Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking is filled with inspirational insights, strategies, pro-tips, and engaging experiments that will have you eager to get out in the world and tell a story through sound and motion and light.

Not all film productions are the same, of course. Throughout this course, Mr. Ha guides you through some of the many ways DSLR filmmaking can bring out the best in professional assignments and everyday storytelling.

Portrait Films: Think of portrait films as a portrait in motion. Brief, they can run anywhere from 45 seconds to a minute. And they’re best when shot around a loose thematic element (for example, a child playing with their favorite toy). You know you have a solid portrait film when you can pause it in any frame and have a well-composed photograph.
Wedding Films: Weddings are some of the most popular events to film, and they make excellent opportunities for DSLR filmmakers. Mr. Ha touches on two different sorts of the wedding films: those that combine still photography and motion and can be shot with a single camera and those that are a multi-person job requiring multiple DSLR cameras.
Corporate Profiles: If you’re looking to go professional with your DSLR filmmaking, a corporate profile can open up a lot of doors for you. Most corporate profiles run a length of two to three minutes and require at least two production days. They also require you to hone your skills in communicating directly with your subjects.
And those are just three of the types of projects you’ll explore in Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking. Whatever you’re shooting, whatever stage of the production process you’re in, Mr. Ha emphasizes the importance of recognizing your role as a storyteller. Always think in shots, always think in sequences, and always think in story.

Learn Best Practices from a DSLR Filmmaker

One of the joys of learning DSLR filmmaking alongside a seasoned professional like Mr. Ha is the insider tips and tricks he shares with you—not only on how to make great DSLR films but also how to elevate your filmmaking to the next level.

Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking is a veritable compendium of best practices that encompasses everything from choosing the right film gear and lighting a scene properly to capturing sound and planning shoots so your productions run seamlessly.

Shopping for the Right Lens: There are tons of third-party lenses out there reflecting a variety of budgets and tastes. Mr. Ha recommends looking for three key things in a camera lens: edge-to-edge sharpness, chromatic aberration, and consistency.
Picking the Perfect Soundtrack: Start with three words, then match the music you sample to them. For example, if your three words are “happy,” “innocent,” and “fun,” you’ll better focus your search on music that fits those moods if you keep them top of mind.
Shooting for the Edit: Don’t go into a film project shooting everything and praying that you find what you need. Instead, Mr. Ha recommends shooting for the edit, which means premeditating a shoot to ensure you capture the specific shots in the story you want.
Taking the Wide Shots: A starting rule for using DSLR cameras is to shoot wide to better manage your focus. If you were to shoot with a portrait lens, for example, the compression element would mitigate your depth of field in terms of aesthetics.
Following the 180-Degree Rule: This standard filmmaking rule helps you from confusing your viewers by ensuring you place subjects correctly in your frame. Remember that subjects who should be on the right, stay on the right side of your frame, and vice versa.
Nurture Your Inner Filmmaker

Making the switch from photography to filmmaking might seem complicated, but with Mr. Ha, you’re in the hands of an exceptional teacher who can give you the tools you need to make the transition easily and with confidence.

A former professional photographer who himself has now become an expert in DSLR filmmaking, he knows all about the various challenges involved in going from shooting stills to capturing video—and how to overcome them.

Filled with in-studio demonstrations and sample video projects, Mr. Ha’s engaging, practical approach makes Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking the perfect primer on how to uncover and nurture your inner filmmaker.