What is a Green Screen Used For and How Do They Work?

BasicsOpen menu What is a Green Screen? Blue Screen vs Green Screen DIY Green ScreenOpen menu How to Make a Green Screen Green Screen Color Using a Green ScreenOpen menu How to Use a Green Screen Green Screen Lighting EditingOpen menu Best Green Screen Software Best Green Screen Background Videos How to Use a Green… Continue reading What is a Green Screen Used For and How Do They Work?

What Is a Focus Chart, How They Work, and Where To Get One

Before you yell, “Action,” you need to make sure the subject in your frame is in the sharpest, cleanest focus possible. This is known as critical focus, and it makes all the difference in having a professional-looking video and an amateur one. You need the right tools on-set to properly calibrate your camera. Right now,… Continue reading What Is a Focus Chart, How They Work, and Where To Get One

Basics of Film Lighting — 4 Qualities of Light You Should Know

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 Basics of Film Lighting — 4 Qualities of Light You Should Know

What is Fill Light — The Unsung Hero of 3 Point Lighting

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 Fill Light — The Unsung Hero of 3 Point Lighting

Types of Camera Movements in Film Explained: Definitive Guide

Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses As cameras have become smaller over time, new technology is constantly being invented to move them in every direction possible. Understanding the effects of the different types of camera movements in film is essential for every filmmaker to understand. It not only makes them better cinematographers or… Continue reading Types of Camera Movements in Film Explained: Definitive Guide

How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained

Color BasicsOpen menu What is a Color Palette Color Grading vs. Color Correction What is Color Space What is Color Temperature What is a Vectorscope What is LUT What is a Colorist What is a Color Checker What is Technicolor First Color Movie Film Colorization Process Color SchemesOpen menu What is a Color Scheme Triadic… Continue reading How to Use Color in Film like Kubrick: Mise-en-Scène Elements Explained

What is Aerial Cinematography? Drone Shots and Techniques

Some of the most iconic shots in history have been taken from the air. The elevated vantage point that we rarely see in day to day life creates a unique experience for any movie-goer. From war films, to thrillers, to action movies, aerial cinematography has created some of the most iconic shots in cinema. These… Continue reading What is Aerial Cinematography? Drone Shots and Techniques

The Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots (50+ Types of Shots and Angles in Film)

Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List It’s easy to mix up… Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Camera Shots (50+ Types of Shots and Angles in Film)

What is a Fisheye Lens? Definition and Examples in Film

Types of LensesOpen menu Lens Basics Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) What is a 50mm Lens Good For 35mm vs 50mm Lenses Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) Specialty LensesOpen menu What is a T-Stop Macro Lens Fisheye Lens Tilt-Shift Lens Split-Diopter… Continue reading What is a Fisheye Lens? Definition and Examples in Film

What is Film Grain? The Causes and Effects Explained

In a world where almost everything you see is digitally shot, the priority is now “clean” images with high resolution and sharp edges. For a lot of filmmakers and fans lamenting the death of celluloid, one of the key attributes missing is something we’ve nearly forgotten: film grain. The textured look of cinematic film grain… Continue reading What is Film Grain? The Causes and Effects Explained

Ultimate Guide to Camera Gear — Every Type of Camera Rig Explained

Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses When faced with a blank canvas, a painter must first choose their brush, colors, and subject before they even make a single stroke. Similarly, a filmmaker approaches a shot by first choosing the right tools that serve their story. Some of the most impactful tools to how… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Camera Gear — Every Type of Camera Rig Explained

What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film

Types of LensesOpen menu Lens Basics Prime Lens Zoom Lens Anamorphic Lens Focal LengthsOpen menu Wide Angle Lens (14mm – 35mm) Standard (35mm – 70mm) What is a 50mm Lens Good For 35mm vs 50mm Lenses Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm) Specialty LensesOpen menu What is a T-Stop Macro Lens Fisheye Lens Tilt-Shift Lens Split-Diopter… Continue reading What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film

What is Aperture — Ultimate Guide to the Camera Aperture and Depth of Field

Exposure TriangleOpen menu What is the Exposure Triangle Aperture ISO Shutter Speed Frame Rate Shot List Creator If you know how to adjust your aperture on your digital camera, you’re much closer to mastering lighting and nailing the right exposure for your shots. Without knowing how to use aperture, and how it works with other… Continue reading What is Aperture — Ultimate Guide to the Camera Aperture and Depth of Field

Mirrorless vs DSLR — Pros and Cons for Photo and Video

As camera technology evolves, the mirrorless vs DSLR debate is becoming more and more about preference. While DSLR cameras may have been the frontrunner for the last few years, mirrorless cameras have made such incredible advancements that both professionals and beginners alike swear by them. We’ll lay out the key differences between a mirrorless camera… Continue reading Mirrorless vs DSLR — Pros and Cons for Photo and Video

What is a Steadicam Shot & How Did it Change Cinema?

Types of Camera GearOpen menu Tripod Handheld Gimbal Jib / Boom Drone Dolly Steadicam Crane Shot TypesOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now Often the most impactful inventions in history have come about as a result of a beautiful accident. In film, especially… Continue reading What is a Steadicam Shot & How Did it Change Cinema?

The Medium Close-Up Shot: Definition and Examples in Film

Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Medium close-up shots are a… Continue reading The Medium Close-Up Shot: Definition and Examples in Film

The Dolly Shot: How To Create Powerful Shots With Simple Movement

Types of Camera MovementsOpen menu Static Pan Tilt Whip Pan Pedestal / Boom Track / Truck Zoom Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Dolly Aerial Arc More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Movements Explained Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Camera Movement Master Class Create Free Shot List Now It can be difficult to push your audience to identify… Continue reading The Dolly Shot: How To Create Powerful Shots With Simple Movement