What is a Wide Angle Lens — And When to Use One

Types of LensesOpen menu Insert Image Lens Basics Insert Image Prime Lens Insert Image Zoom Lens Insert Image Anamorphic Lens Focal LengthsOpen menu Insert Image Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Insert Image Standard (35mm – 70mm) Insert Image What is a 50mm Lens Good For Insert Image 35mm vs 50mm Lenses Insert Image Telephoto… Continue reading What is a Wide Angle Lens — And When to Use One

Film Lighting Techniques — How to Get a Cinematic Look

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading Film Lighting Techniques — How to Get a Cinematic Look

What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains

BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What Does a Cinematographer Do Insert Image What is Cinematography Insert Image What is Digital Cinematography Insert Image Cinematography Terms Insert Image What is Motion Blur ResourcesOpen menu Insert Image Essential Cinematography Books Insert Image Top 100 Cinematography Films Insert Image DP Advice from Alex Buono Insert Image Videography Contract Template… Continue reading What Does a Cinematographer Do? DP Wally Pfister Explains

30 Best Cinematography Techniques & Tips You Didn’t Learn in Film School

BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What Does a Cinematographer Do Insert Image What is Cinematography Insert Image What is Digital Cinematography Insert Image Cinematography Terms Insert Image What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Insert Image Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light Insert Image What is Practical Lighting Insert Image 3-Point Lighting Insert Image… Continue reading 30 Best Cinematography Techniques & Tips You Didn’t Learn in Film School

Low Light Photography & Cinematography — Examples & Tips

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading Low Light Photography & Cinematography — Examples & Tips

What is Key Light — Definition & Examples in Photo & Film

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading What is Key Light — Definition & Examples in Photo & Film

What is Practical Lighting in Film? Tips and Techniques Explained

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading What is Practical Lighting in Film? Tips and Techniques Explained

What is the Exposure Triangle — Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

Exposure TriangleOpen menu Insert Image What is the Exposure Triangle Insert Image Aperture Insert Image ISO Insert Image Shutter Speed Insert Image Frame Rate Shot List Creator Light is responsible for every image captured in both photography and cinematography. How a camera captures light is determined by three variables that make up what is known… Continue reading What is the Exposure Triangle — Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

Film Lighting — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading Film Lighting — The Ultimate Guide (w/ Video & Cheatsheet)

The 27 Best Film Cinematographers That Everyone Should Know

The best cinematographers are artists, technicians, diplomats, and accountants. Choosing the best cinematographers is tough and extremely subjective but this list is full of talented people. If you want your film to look like it was shot by one of the world’s best cinematographers, read on. We’ve broken down the key cinematic techniques that the… Continue reading The 27 Best Film Cinematographers That Everyone Should Know

Camera Crew Positions & Camera Department Explained

Camera & Lighting DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Best Boy Insert Image Camera Operator Insert Image Director Of Photography Insert Image Focus Puller Insert Image Key Grip Insert Image Gaffer Insert Image Grip Sound DepartmentOpen menu Insert Image Boom Operator Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative art form. It is only… Continue reading Camera Crew Positions & Camera Department Explained

Sicario Border Scene Breakdown — How to Direct Tension like Villeneuve

There’s no question that Denis Villeneuve knows how to create a memorable scene. His distinct, visually striking style lends itself to profound cinematic moments that leave an imprint long after you exit the theater. One of such scenes is undoubtedly the Sicario border scene. Sicario is one of Villeneuve’s most complex works, with open-ended morality and… Continue reading Sicario Border Scene Breakdown — How to Direct Tension like Villeneuve

How to Develop a Movie Script — Characters, Structure & Goals

You finally started writing that great screenplay idea and put words to paper. But all of a sudden you realize that you may have the foundation of your story, but not the details. This is not an uncommon problem. So we decided to address this uncommon problem and lay out tips that will help you… Continue reading How to Develop a Movie Script — Characters, Structure & Goals

What is Volumetric Lighting — Definition and Examples

What defines a cinematic shot? For many of us, it is the result of masterful cinematography that creates depth, tone, and tells a story through lighting and camera work. One lighting technique that can help achieve all of these things is volumetric lighting. What is volumetric lighting in filmmaking? Odds are, you have seen this… Continue reading What is Volumetric Lighting — Definition and Examples

What is a Cinematographer — And How to Become One

As an inherently visual medium, cinema massively depends on the craft of cinematography. And behind brilliant cinematography is a brilliant cinematographer. As a role that is quite literally behind the camera, the cinematographer’s role is often misunderstood. What is a cinematographer and what do they do? In this article, we’ll provide some clarity on what… Continue reading What is a Cinematographer — And How to Become One

Blade Runner 2049 Cinematography — Lighting, Color & Camera

BasicsOpen menu Insert Image What Does a Cinematographer Do Insert Image What is Cinematography Insert Image What is Digital Cinematography Insert Image Cinematography Terms Insert Image What is Motion Blur Cinematography BreakdownsOpen menu Insert Image Stranger Things Cinematography Insert Image Better Call Saul Cinematography Insert Image Euphoria Cinematography Analysis Insert Image Drive Cinematography Breakdown Insert… Continue reading Blade Runner 2049 Cinematography — Lighting, Color & Camera

What is Backlight Photography — Lighting Techniques Explained

BasicsOpen menu What Does a Cinematographer Do What is Cinematography What is Digital Cinematography Cinematography Terms What is Motion Blur Lighting EssentialsOpen menu Basics of Film Lighting: 4 Qualities of Light What is Practical Lighting 3-Point Lighting What is Key Light What is Fill Light What is Backlight What is Low Key Lighting What is… Continue reading What is Backlight Photography — Lighting Techniques Explained