Exploring Technology

I chose to explore my Cannon Hi 8 camcorder. The camera is probably outdated, but it is amazing how many options one can use. I was interested in using the menu and finding all of the possible uses of the camera.
First, I looked at the different combinations of camera settings and explored Sports, Portrait, Sand and Snow, Low Light, and Easy Recording. Then I explored White Balance, which is a system that compensates for a wide range of lighting conditions. This allows one to have colors to appear natural in almost every situation. I did not have as much luck with this as I hoped. Dark light still appeared dark-I will have to practice this.
My camera has several settings for manipulating the recorded image in a variety of ways. I played around with using Close-Up and Art and Freeze. The Freeze capability was fun and adds fun to the film plus it is nice when recording a landscape to get a good look at it.
The digital mixing functions allow you to vary the transitions between scenes. The choices on my camera include Overlap, Scroll, Wipe, and Zoom Fade. I like the dissolve effect because this allows one picture to fade or dissolve into the other.
I enjoyed having the choice to explore this technology and will use what I have learned to video my students in different capacities. The next project I will video is my Environmental Club's President introducing our club to the area's eighth graders.