Description
Date & Time:
Thursday, June 4, 2026
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM MDT
Location:
The Camera Store
802 11th Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Join Amair Javaid (AJ) from The Camera Store for an informative, no-nonsense workshop that will prepare you for your very own video shoot!
Making the leap into videography? Compared to photography, video requires more data, more gear, and more planning. Join instructor Amair Javaid (AJ)—an independent filmmaker and videographer with over a decade of experience—for an intensive 2-hour crash course designed to fast-track your understanding of video production.
Whether you are shooting for clients, friends, or your own portfolio, having a solid workflow and understanding your camera's technical settings is crucial for success.
What We'll Cover:
-
Before the Shoot: Building Your Foundation
- Mastering recording settings, including resolution, bit depth, and chroma subsampling.
- Demystifying video codecs (H.264/H.265, ProRes, and RAW) to optimize your workflow.
-
Building Your Camera Bag
- Choosing the right memory card speeds (V30/V60/V90 vs. CFexpress), what gear to take, etc.
- Rigging essentials, including variable ND filters for light control and gimbals for stabilization.
-
Getting the Shot: Technical Execution
- Navigating shooting settings such as white balance, base ISO, and frames per second (FPS).
- Understanding the shutter speed rule for smooth, cinematic motion.
- Achieving "good" exposure using professional monitoring tools like waveforms, zebras, false colour, and vectorscopes for perfect skin tones.
-
After the Shoot: Protecting Your Work
- Safely importing and backing up your footage using the industry-standard 3-2-1 rule.
- Using DaVinci Resolve's clone tool for secure checksum verification to prevent corrupted files.
Bring a pen and paper to jot down your questions during the session, and get ready to take your video skills to the next level!
About the instructor:
Amair Javaid Akhtar (AJ Akhtar) is a filmmaker and photographer who has been capturing images for almost two decades. He has a passion for connecting with people and sharing knowledge about tech and storytelling.
Please Note:
This is an In-Person, Paid Event. Paid events are non-refundable. Your registration is required. Your registration assists us in gauging attendance numbers and we'll provide you with a reminder and further details about the event. Should you have any questions or issues, please email ryley.schmidt@thecamerastore.com.
