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Camera Tips for GIF Animation
Until 2006, we use the camera set up pictured above to take the digital images of our GIF animations. Our camera was placed on a platform made of scraps of wood, tongue depressors, and duct tape. This held the camera still and flat above the clay figure. The background is taped to the table to keep it from moving.
Midway through our project in 2006, I decided to make use of our tripod. As you can see from the image above. By lengthening the back leg, the digital camera is positioned over the clay figure placed below. A heavy weight is placed behind the third (long) leg of the tripod to steady it against the table. The students are cautioned to think of the table; tripod; everything except the clay and the camera as "too hot to touch"! We want only the things that we want to move to move.
These are the lights that were adapted by our wonderful maintenance engineer. I purchased the lights because they are not as hot (not hot at all) as the spotlights that we used with the set-up pictured above. However, the light did not shine perfectly on the flat clay figures. As you can see from the image, the lights now are leaning in towards the figures thanks to a little help from metal bars which also act as stabilizers. The lights were purchased at our local hardware store.
NOTE that the figure is placed on a yellow background. We now use Funky Foam which I purchased at our local Hobby Lobby. It has a nice flat finish and comes in bright colors. And is washable with a little orange cleanser.
It works best to have ONE camera person and let the other members of the group act as animators and stage hands. The person touching the camera should not touch the clay. Everyone needs to stand back so the table will not wiggle and shadows will not ruin the shot.
We have made use of several different brands of digital cameras over the years. The one pictured above is a Sony Mavica which we no longer use. However, the principals are the same.