Roger Deakins cinematography includes Fargo, Skyfall, Sicario, No Country for Old Men, and finally he won an Academy Award for Cinematography for Blade Runner 2049 and again in 2020 for 1917. While the Academy finally recognized Deakins work, most of us have been in awe of him long before that. We watched Roger Deakins movies, interviews, and used his blog to compile the best Roger Deakins cinematography tips & techniques.Continue reading Roger Deakins Cinematography Tips & Techniques: Complete Guide
It can be difficult to push your audience to identify with the characters while only using camera movement. But it is possible. Today, we’ll review the dolly shot and learn how you can use them creatively to bring the audience into your characters’ world. We'll also walk you through the process of planning, scheduling, and shooting your own dolly shots in your next project. Hello, Dolly!Continue reading The Dolly Shot: How To Create Powerful Shots With Simple Movement
W hen you’re working on a movie or TV show, it can be hard to plant the audience inside the character's point of view. Today we’re going to go over the POV, or point of view shot. We’ll define it, see it in action, and talk about why it belongs on your shot list. Continue reading Point of View Shots: Creative Camera Movements & Angles
We all know the sound that a camera makes. That satisfying click when we press the button and create our photograph. What we’re hearing is the camera’s shutter. That sound is the shutter moving up and down. It moves the same way every time we take a photo, but not always at the same speed. The way our pictures come out depends on that speed. So what is shutter speed? How can we understand it to take intentional and consistent quality pictures each time. Let’s jump in. Continue reading What is Shutter Speed and Its Role in the Exposure Triangle?
The way you frame your actors or subjects conveys a message to the audience. Send the wrong one, and the audience goes packing. But a properly executed high angle shot can produce the exact message you're after. Today we’re going to go over the high angle shot and how it’ll help you add subtext to your shot selection and variety to your shot list. Along the way, we'll go over the various applications for this essential camera angle so you'll know exactly when and how to use it. Continue reading High Angle Shot — Camera Angle Explained & Iconic…
Light is responsible for every image captured in both photography and cinematography. How a camera captures light is determined by three variables that make up what is known as the exposure triangle. What is the exposure triangle? How can each one of its three settings be used to capture an image? In this article, we’ll dive in deep into the three variables that create the exposure of an image. We’ll also take a look at an exposure triangle chart that you can save as a reference to create the images you envision. Let’s dive in.Continue reading What is the Exposure…
Extreme close-up shots are a very useful tool in cinema, but because they are so noticeable it’s important to know how and when to use them so that your viewer is generally on board with your shot selection. We’re going to discuss the extreme close-up shot and go over which emotions are generated when you use one, and show you extreme close-up shot images and scenes that worked well. Continue reading Extreme Close-Up Shots: Creative Examples That Work
Afilm set is a unique world that has to be experienced to be understood. There is a steep learning curve that comes with every film production. It can take many years before anyone is completely at home on set, and to master the plethora of film and cinematography terms. Continue reading Cinematography and Film Terms Every Working Filmmaker Should Know
It’s easy to mix up the different types of camera shots and types of angles. To make a shot list, a filmmaker or video creative must know the classic types of shots based on attributes like shot size, shot framing, camera movement, camera mechanisms, and depth of field. We'll break down all the camera shots, camera angles, and camera techniques that you need to know for your next film or music video. We also include camera shot examples from famous movies to help solidify all the discussed cinematography techniques. Continue reading 50+ Types of Camera Shots, Angles, and Techniques
Shooting projects on a budget can mean limitations on your gear. So how can you maintain a “cinematic” look without a cube truck full of lighting equipment? In today’s post, we’ll examine what exactly it means to have a cinematic look. Then we’ll break down several lighting techniques that are achievable on any budget. Although cinematic lighting is predicated on creative interpretation, these principles of film lighting can form the basis of your creative choices. To show this, we’ve taken several examples of how the best DPs (directors of photography) create specific cinematic effects with thoughtful lighting setups of their…
