HomeUpSearchMail
NEW
Making video's within neolithic chambers
The following scenario can be handy when videotaping a sun rising/setting
within a chamber (this has been written for Maeshowe and there was a video
camera and photo camera available):
-
buy the best quality of video cassette of at least 30 minutes and a photo
film (100 ASA).
-
take a day that the sun will shine in the chamber. Remember it does not
have to be a precise astronomical day (like a solstice or a equinox), but
it can be most of the times be some days before or after that event, as
long as the sun shines in.
-
make sure your watch and the video camera/photo camera have the right time
and day. Use the time you can get from the telephone company (or NTP if
you have this on your computer). It is essential to do this as precise
as possible.
Activate the time/date on the camera(s), so that it will be visible
on the shots taken.
-
Activate the backlight option (if available) on the video camera and photo
camera (so over exposure them a little bit). Also activate the 'sunlight'
white balance (if available) on the video camera.
-
put the video camera well before sunset at a proper location (don't obstruct
the sun light). Use a tripod or a bucket upside down with a sack of beans/rice
on it and position this as stable as possible. Put the manual focus and
the zoom in such a way that the back wall is clearly visible with the light
beam in the middle (including a small part of interesting features of the
chamber).
-
put a photo camera well before sunset on a tripod or on bucket upside down
with a sack of beans (don't obstruct the sun light). Put it in such a way
that the sun and the horizon are pictured (use the maximum zoom on the
equipment [if possible]).
-
be sure that there is film in both the video and photo camera. And be sure
the battery in the video is charged fully. I know this sounds stupid, but
once I have forgotten it...
-
as soon as the shine is going to shine in, start the video camera and leave
it running until the sun is not visible anymore.
Note the time that it starts to shine in and note the time when
it stops.
-
make with the photo camera every half minute a photo. Please try to do
this as accurate as possible.
You shout/whistle when you pressed the button, so that the video camera
in the chamber will record the shout/whistle.
Note for every photo, when the button was pressed (it sounds overdone,
but it gives information in case things went wrong).
-
Develop the pictures so that you get two prints per photo and make a copy
of the video cassette. Break of the tab on the video cassette, so that
recording will be inhibited.
Disclaimer and Copyright
HomeUpSearchMail
Last content related changes: May 23, 2001