Better Call Saul is one of the most critically lauded shows on TV — and its cinematography is a big reason why. The Better Call Saul cinematography excels in just about every area: lighting, framing, focus, camera movement. You name it, BCS knocks it out of the park. We’re going to break down the Better… Continue reading Better Call Saul Cinematography — How Visuals Elevate Story
What does avant-garde mean? What does it mean for a piece of artwork, a book, or a film to be labeled as avant-garde? We’ll be breaking down the term, exploring what constitutes the movement and why it is important. We’ll also take a look at some important examples of avant-garde art, books, and films. But… Continue reading What is Avant Garde — Movement, Artists & Works Explained
Stranger Things is one of the biggest shows in the world – and its cinematography is a big reason why. The Stranger Things cinematography shifts between expressive and reserved to impart visual tone that matches the narrative. We’re going to break down why the Stranger Things cinematography is successful by taking a look at a… Continue reading Stranger Things Cinematography Explained — Camera, Lighting & Lenses
What is a flag? Not the kind that flaps in the wind at the top of a flag pole; what is a flag in a photography studio or on a film set? And, for that matter, how are flags used and why? We’ll get started with a quick definition, then dig into practical tips for… Continue reading Flagging Lights — How to Use Flags for Filmmaking & Photos
There are many ways to film the same scene. The director’s decisions depend on what experience they want the audience to have. Knowing what shot composition is and how to use it is vital to visual storytelling. Shot composition is more than arranging scene elements in a camera frame. It is an art that combines… Continue reading Rules of Shot Composition in Film: A Definitive Guide
Whether you are a painter, photographer, or filmmaker, composition is one of the foundational principles of any visual artwork. No matter what equipment you are using, composition and the principles of compositions are tools you always have at your disposal. So what is composition and why is it important to know? Understanding how to compose… Continue reading What is Composition — A Guide to Composition in Art & Film
The Elements of Composition in Art, Photography & Film (FREE Ebook)A comprehensive and accessible guide for artists, photographers and cinematographers looking to master the elements of composition.We’ll cover over a dozen elements of composition like lines, shapes, balance, and including various compositional techniques within each. Download Now Composition in ArtWith these elements of composition in… Continue reading Elements of Composition in Art, Photo & Film (Free Ebook)
What is flat lighting? You may have heard the term applied to a sitcom or used derisively in a critique of a film’s cinematography, but what does it actually mean? We’ll be providing a definition for flat lighting, explaining the causes and how to avoid it, and detailing when and why flat lighting might actually… Continue reading What is Flat Lighting — Photo & Film Examples & Techniques
What is a megapixel? And for that matter, what does it mean for a phone to have a 10 megapixel camera, or for a monitor to have a 1080p resolution? We’ll be answering all of these questions and more. By the end of this post, you will know everything you need to know about megapixels.Continue… Continue reading What is a Megapixel — Art & Science of Megapixels Explained
What is the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom? Is one better than the other? We will be answering those questions and providing definitions for both types of zoom. Before we get into comparing and contrasting optical zoom and digital zoom, let’s first take a look at each zoom type individually.Continue reading Optical Zoom… Continue reading Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom — Why the Difference Matters
What is Photorealism as an art style? The name might sound self-explanatory, but the truth is a bit more complicated, and there are a number of details and historical insights that present photorealism in a new light. The term can also mean slightly different things depending on the context. We’ll be telling you everything you… Continue reading What is Photorealism — The Art of the Real Explained
Euphoria is one of the most popular shows on television, and its success is in large part due to its distinct visual style. The Euphoria cinematography became iconic right from its pilot, and its influence can be seen in many shows and films that have come in its wake. Euphoria’s singular look comes from a confluence… Continue reading Euphoria Cinematography Analysis — Lighting, Movement, and Oners
What is white balance? White balance is a vital camera setting to properly calibrate in order to achieve your desired image. If you have ever taken a photograph or video and found the result to look unnatural blue or yellow, then improper white balance is to blame. We’ll break down what white balance is, how… Continue reading What is White Balance — How it Works and Why It Matters
What is day for night? And, perhaps more importantly, is it a good idea? There is plenty of debate over the effectiveness of day for night and, even though the technique is used in plenty of feature-films, many filmmakers wouldn’t touch day for night with a ten-foot pole. In this post we will be defining… Continue reading How to Shoot Day for Night — Tips & Techniques Explained
Have you ever seen a photograph or a shot in a film and found your eyes wandering across the frame only to land at something significant? Odds are, leading lines were used to direct your attention. Photographers and cinematographers alike use various types of lines to lead the viewer’s eyes and tell a story through… Continue reading What Are Leading Lines — Composition in Photography & Film
In the era of the digital camera, there are numerous settings and adjustments that can be made on a camera. Keeping these details organized and recorded is important for many reasons. Camera reports have changed substantially over the last few years so it’s time to get an updated version. In this article, we’ll give you… Continue reading Camera Report Template — Free Downloads and Guide
At one point or another, we have all asked the question: when was photography invented? We know it was sometime in the distant past, just not exactly when. That’s because photography has a long history, dating all the way back to the 5th century BCE. We’re going to look at the history of photography to… Continue reading When Was Photography Invented — A Quick History Lesson
What is rolling shutter and why does it happen? If you have ever filmed something on your phone and found that the resulting footage looked completely different than what you recorded, then rolling shutter may be the culprit. Whether this type of shutter plagues your footage or you just find the effect interesting and what… Continue reading What is Rolling Shutter — Camera Shutter Effect Explained
There is a case to be made about the allure of honesty and art. Perhaps this is the biggest argument for the growing popularity of street photography. On one side of the photography coin you have controlled, polished, studio photography that is artistic and moving in its own right. On the other side of that… Continue reading What is Street Photography — Definition, Examples & Styles
One of the best ways to draw out creativity from an artist is to limit them. Perhaps this is why some of the best photographers like Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, and Platon are known for shooting in black and white. A lack of color creates an emphasis on other visual elements that make black and white… Continue reading Black and White Photography Tips and Techniques Explained
