The Handheld Shot in Film — Definition and Examples

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 Cinematographers and filmmakers have depended on camera support mechanisms since the beginning of cinema. With tripods, dollies, and cranes, the… Continue reading The Handheld Shot in Film — Definition and Examples

Ultimate Guide to Camera Focus: Understanding Depth of Field

Dof basicsShallow dofDeep dofDOF GuideTYPES OF CAMERA FOCUS Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses Camera focus is more than just making sure your image is sharp and detailed. When you consider the storytelling value of shallow focus or how a rack focus can guide the eye, a whole new world opens up. Directors… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Camera Focus: Understanding Depth of Field

What is 2:1 Aspect Ratio (Univisium) & Why Are Directors Switching Over?

When making a movie, it can be a struggle to decide between the two most common widescreen aspect ratios: 1.85:1 and 2.35:1. For anyone who has ever felt this struggle, there is an ideal middle ground. We’re talking about the 2:1 aspect ratio which has seen a resurgence in the last decade. In this article, we’ll… Continue reading What is 2:1 Aspect Ratio (Univisium) & Why Are Directors Switching Over?

1917 One Shot Explained — How Roger Deakins Shot a “Oner” Film

When it was announced that 1917 would be shot to look like a single take, it quickly became one of the most anticipated movies of the year. While the performances and screenplay were both incredible, many left the theatre wondering the same thing. How was 1917 filmed? While there is no single answer to this… Continue reading 1917 One Shot Explained — How Roger Deakins Shot a “Oner” Film

Camera Angles Explained: The Different Types of Camera Shot Angles in Film

Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List You’re looking for a list of the different camera angles in film, but you also want… Continue reading Camera Angles Explained: The Different Types of Camera Shot Angles in Film

Dutch Angles: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Low Angle Shot Eye Level Shot High Angle Shots Dutch Angle Shot Overhead Shot Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu All Camera Shots Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List There will be moments in any good story where the main character is under duress. Where… Continue reading Dutch Angles: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

The Rack Focus: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of FocusOpen menu Shallow Focus Deep Focus Rack Focus Zoom Shots Dolly-Zoom (Zolly) Tilt-Shift More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now Have you ever been watching a movie or TV show and noticed a subtle change in depth of field that revealed some new detail… Continue reading The Rack Focus: Creative Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Catchlight Photography: How to Capture Eye Light with Purpose

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 Catchlight Photography: How to Capture Eye Light with Purpose

The Spielberg Oner — How to Direct a Long Take Like Steven Spielberg

Jurassic Park is one of the few movies that have set the standard among audiences’ expectations for modern blockbusters. With more recent installments such as Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom falling short of many viewers’ expectations, what exactly made the original so amazing? The answer is largely due to the Jurassic Park cinematography… Continue reading The Spielberg Oner — How to Direct a Long Take Like Steven Spielberg

What is CinemaScope? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is CinemaScope?” It’s a widescreen lens and projection system that has become a popular choice for filmmakers and is now an industry standard. Most audiences had never seen anything like it, and it started a widescreen revolution that literally changed the shape of movies forever. So, what is CinemaScope,… Continue reading What is CinemaScope? Definition and Examples for Filmmakers

Camera Framing Techniques: Frame Shots Like a Master Filmmaker

You’re looking for a list of the different types of camera shot framing in film, but you also want great examples that come with clear explanations of when and why to use specific shot frames. After our video detailing the main types of camera framing, we’ll provide you with downloadable shot lists that you can… Continue reading Camera Framing Techniques: Frame Shots Like a Master Filmmaker

Over-the-Shoulder Shot: Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

Types of FramingOpen menu Establishing Shot Single Shot Two Shot Over the Shoulder Insert Shot POV Shot More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now Why do filmmakers use over-the-shoulder shots? Can they signal to the viewer that two characters are, at the very least, on the… Continue reading Over-the-Shoulder Shot: Examples of Camera Movements & Angles

The Split Diopter Lens Explained with Eye-Popping Examples

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 The Split Diopter Lens Explained with Eye-Popping Examples

What is a Prime Lens and What are the Benefits of Using One?

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 Prime Lens and What are the Benefits of Using One?

What is a Tilt Shift Lens? The Tilt Shift Effect Explained

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 Tilt Shift Lens? The Tilt Shift Effect Explained

What is Bokeh in Photography & Video? Bokeh Meaning and Creative Examples

DOF Basics Shallow DOF Deep DOF DOF Guide DOF vs Depth of Focus FREE E-Book Once you’re familiar with the basics of photography and videography, more advanced techniques are fun to explore. One of those techniques is bokeh, the tasteful inclusion of out of focus elements. Aperture and depth of field are necessary for achieving… Continue reading What is Bokeh in Photography & Video? Bokeh Meaning and Creative Examples

Guide to Camera Shots: Every Shot Size Explained

Shot SizeShot FramingCamera AnglesCamera FocusCamera GearCamera MovementCamera Lenses You’re looking for a list of the different types of camera shots and shot sizes in film, TV, or animation, but you also want great examples that come with clear explanations of when and why to use a specific shot size? We’ll provide you with a downloadable… Continue reading Guide to Camera Shots: Every Shot Size Explained

Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology

Browse Film Terms  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z Whether you’re working on your first or 100th film, there is always something new to learn. When you need to update your film terminology, this resource will… Continue reading Ultimate Guide to Film Terms: The Definitive Glossary of Film Terminology