Gaffers and Cinematographers know the benefits of the Leko light. Once solely used for lighting up auditoriums and concert venues, these lights can now level up your scenes without spending more than a couple hundred dollars. For those unfamiliar, let’s go deeper. What is a Leko light and how can you use it on set?Continue reading What is a Leko Light and How to Use It — Lighting Techniques
When shooting a movie, you want to make sure everything looks good, from the focus of the shot, to the lighting of the set. While our naked eye can often do a good job helping us out, exposure tools help us not miss any spots. In-camera tools like zebras and histograms help out cinematographers, but so do false color images. “What is false color” you ask? It’s a tool that also helps you with exposure levels, and one which can be incredibly useful with filming. So let's dive into how to use false color, how they are identified, and how…
What is a complementary color scheme? How can it be utilized in your filmmaking efforts, why does it matter and how is it different from other color palettes? We will be answering each of these questions and taking a look at the psychology of color in storytelling and showcasing some of the best complementary color schemes found in movies.Continue reading What is a Complementary Color Scheme — Definition, Examples
Finding the right lens for your camera can vastly improve your images and overall production. But learning what you need to know about video and photo camera lenses can be expensive and time-consuming. In this article, we explain the different types of camera lenses so that you can understand which lens, or set of lenses, will be the best option moving forward.Continue reading The Different Types of Camera Lenses for Video and Photography
Camera Lenses Explained: Vol. 1 (FREE Ebook)A comprehensive and accessible guide for photographers and cinematographers looking to master camera lenses.The Different Camera LensesUnderstanding the types of camera lenses is your first step towards the perfect imageCamera lenses have a massive impact on the overall presentation of the image. From the lighting, composition and depth of field, different camera lenses all bring unique storytelling value to your work. With this guide to the different types of camera lenses, you’ll be able to choose the right lens for the shot every single time.You'll Learn:ContentsAnamorphic vs. SphericalTelephoto LensesPrime vs. ZoomMacro LensesFisheye LensesSplit Diopter LensesWide…
The Exposure Triangle: Ultimate Guide (FREE Ebook)A comprehensive and accessible guide for photographers and cinematographers looking to master the Exposure Triangle.We'll cover Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed and their fundamental relationship in capturing perfect exposure. Exposure Triangle PhotographyOnce you master the Exposure Triangle, you'll be able to conquer any lighting scenarioBeing able to execute proper camera exposure in photography and video requires fundamental knowledge of what's known as The Exposure Triangle. It consists of three pillars — aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.This ultimate guide walks you through the key methods to emerge with the knowledge and confidence to elevate your imagery.You'll Learn:ContentsWhat…
Creating one moment that stands out in the minds of the viewer after your film or tv show ends can be hard, but it is possible. The long take is one way to do it. Today we’re going to go over the best long takes in film and television. Continue reading The Best Long Take Shots & How They Push the Story Forward
Ever watch a sci-fi movie and wonder how they filmed it? Are there secret movie studios on the Moon? Mars? Westeros? Unfortunately not, the answer is far less gratifying. Instead of Mars, it was probably filmed in a warehouse. However, luckily for us, chroma keying is cheaper and a lot more practical than a trip to the Moon. So cheap you might be able to use it on your next shoot! But what is a green screen, how do they work, and what are the various ways they can be used? Let's get into it.Continue reading What is a Green…
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, you may ask yourself, “What is a focus chart?” But by the end of this post, you’ll understand why you need to acquire one immediately. Continue reading What Is a Focus Chart, How They Work, and Where To Get One
Have you ever wondered how to make your films look like the pros? You might feel inclined to blame your camera, your lenses, your budget, but that would be the wrong response. All of the great cinematographers study the characteristics of light. Learning how to control the fundamentals of lighting will allow you to shape light that creates images worthy of the big screen. Although we will be discussing cinematography lighting, all of these principles apply to photography lighting as well. As this series of articles on lighting techniques progress, we will go into greater detail about each of the four…
