Filmmaking, in many ways, is an unpredictable venture. Productions change and evolve as they face problems and barriers. Utilizing film crew contracts is a way to protect yourself as a crew member or as a production company from any repercussions of the ever changing film production process. In this article, we’ll be taking a look specifically… Continue reading Videography Contract Template — Free Download
Have you ever seen a shot of an iconic landscape that has taken your breath away? Nature has a unique ability to do that to us. Its scale and beauty can be something beyond the comprehension of man. So how does a photographer capture this essence with a camera? While it may appear to be… Continue reading Landscape Photography Tips — Gear, Settings, & Composition
It was not too long ago that the idea of shooting entire feature length films with a phone camera seemed absurd. But respected filmmakers like Sean Baker and Steven Soderbergh have trailblazer the use of iPhones in the filmmaking industry. Baker’s Tangerine and Soderbergh’s Unsane and more recent High Flying Bird have proved fancy cameras… Continue reading iPhone Cinematography — How to Get Cinematic iPhone Video
Many aspiring cinematographers ask the question “what are the best schools for cinematography?” So what are the best cinematography schools? Like all of our articles on the “best schools for film education,” the answer is subjective. For some people, the best cinematography schools may be online; for others they may be at private institutions. If… Continue reading Best Cinematography Schools — 8 Best Film Schools for DPs
Low-key lighting can be found in some of the earliest and most influential films in cinema. Early filmmakers utilized low-key lighting in black and white cinematography to tell compelling stories that pushed the art form. Even as film developed and color was introduced to motion pictures, low-key lighting evolved and has influenced the works of… Continue reading What is Low Key Lighting — Definition, Examples in Photo & Film
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
Director of photography Newton Thomas Sigel has had an illustrious career — working on such films as The Usual Suspects, Cherry, Da 5 Bloods, and many more — but perhaps his most iconic work can be found in Drive. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive is a mood piece, and its dreamy visuals stick in… Continue reading Newton Thomas Sigel — Drive Cinematography & Style Breakdown
Getting started in the world of cinematography can be a daunting task. But in this day and age, there are various online tools and resources that can make the task of finding a cinematography job a little less intimidating. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best sites and resources to find your… Continue reading Cinematography Jobs — How to Find Your Next Gig Online
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
Tripods in filmmaking used to be a necessity due to the weight of older cameras. As cameras have become lighter and lighter, many new age filmmakers jump to the handheld shot immediately. And while there is a time and a place for the handheld shot, many critics have pointed out its overuse in cinema today.… Continue reading What is a Tripod — Definition, Types and Functions Explained
One of the most iconic lights in Hollywood is undoubtedly the Klieg light. Whether it be on-set or on the red carpet, the Klieg light has become somewhat of a symbol of cinema. It’s use over time, however, has diminished. Today, the light is practically obsolete. Yet the term is still used today in a… Continue reading What is a Klieg Light — Definition and How They’re Used
Diffused light is an incredibly important tool for any photographer or cinematographer. It’s soft, flattering quality is used in various setups. Of course, not everyone can afford expensive softboxes or silk flags. Luckily, making your own DIY light diffuser is not as difficult as it may seem. In this article, you’ll find various inexpensive ways… Continue reading DIY Light Diffuser — Materials, Tips and Video Tutorials
Over the years, Linus Sandgren has made a name for himself as one of the world’s preeminent masters of cinematography. We’re going to explore Sandgren’s exemplary work with the goal of better understanding how his different cinematographic techniques better the visual feel of their films. By the end, you’ll know some of Sandgren’s greatest works,… Continue reading Linus Sandgren Cinematography Style & Techniques Explained
Knowing how to create and use soft light is a crucial skill for all photographers and cinematographers. Soft light can be harder to obtain and control than hard light, but the result, when done right, can look fantastic. So what is soft light, and how can we use it?Continue reading What is Soft Light Photography… Continue reading What is Soft Light Photography — Examples and Techniques
What does a focus puller do? In this post, we’ll explain what it means to pull focus, who does it and why, and we’ll cover all of the different types of focus available at a filmmaker’s disposal. We’ll also break down the other responsibilities of a focus puller in filmmaking.Continue reading What is a Focus… Continue reading What is a Focus Puller — Job Description and Duties Explained
Itching to capture some of your favorite travel moments? Maybe you want to find the best camera that will help you share your adventures online. We put together a list to help you find the best travel camera for your needs whether it be size, function, or price. The best travel moments deserve to be… Continue reading Best Travel Camera — Pros & Cons, Specs and Prices
Lighting is a huge component of how a shot looks and feels to a viewer’s eye. Specifically, the quality of light can deeply affect the overall tone of a shot. Diffused light, hard light and everything in between are tools filmmakers have at their disposal to tell a story through their shots. In this article,… Continue reading What is a Light Diffuser — How Do They Work in Photo & Film
Looking to make a sci-fi epic? Need to shoot a weatherman spoof? Wanna spice up your Zoom calls? Don’t worry, no matter why you want to know how to use a green screen, we got you covered. We’ll talk about set-up, lighting, editing, all that stuff. Forget the key to the city, once you know… Continue reading How to Use a Green Screen — Setup, Lighting and Creative Uses
How we see a campfire versus how we see the moon varies greatly. Why? Both are sources of light but are visually very different. The answer is color temperature. Color temperature is one of the most determining qualities of how a light source appears to the human eye as well as a camera sensor. What is… Continue reading What is Color Temperature & Why It’s Important in Photo & Film
Cinematographers far and wide have come to know the name “Local 600” – but what is IATSE Local 600? What does it mean? Why does it sound like a spy syndicate? Well, we’re going to answer those questions (at least most of them anyways) by exploring the history of Local 600. We’re also going to… Continue reading IATSE Local 600 — How to Join the Cinematographer’s Guild
