Becoming highly-skilled at any craft always starts with learning and honing the fundamentals. So of course, if you want to become a photographer, knowing how light interacts with your camera and how to use that light to produce well-exposed images, are good first steps. In this post, we’ll lay out a few examples to answer specifically, what is underexposed photography, and how you can manipulate the scene to create underexposed images that work for you instead of against you.Continue reading Underexposed Photography — Editing in Photoshop & Lightroom
If you ever looked into buying a cinema lens, you might recall your jaw dropping from the price tag. While there are various elements of a cinema lens that differ from photography lenses, there is one spec that should not be undervalued. All cinema lenses are parfocal lenses. What is a parfocal lens? Why are they so expensive? How do they differ from other lenses? We’ll answer all of these questions and more in this article.Continue reading What is a Parfocal Lens — The Advantage of Parfocal Lenses
What is the best Polaroid camera? Once upon a time, Polaroid reigned king in the world of instant cameras, but it struggled to retain market share due to growing competition and a cultural shift to video. Today, Polaroid is back – and amateur and professional photographers have begun to take notice. We’re going to rank the best Polaroid cameras to buy in 2021 by looking at price, quality, and ease of use. By the end, you’ll know which camera makes the most sense for you.Continue reading Best Polaroid Camera — Models, Specs, Prices and Features
Choosing to shoot black and white photography is exactly that — a choice. It is a choice that many photographers choose to make when shooting portraits. Why? What is it about a black and white photo that works so well when capturing the face of a person? How can you use black and white photography to create striking portraits that convey both meaning and emotion? Let’s take a look at the process of shooting black and white portrait photography and some tips that will help you achieve powerful portraits. Continue reading Black and White Portrait Photography — Pro-Tips & Techniques
Have you ever watched an old black and white movie, maybe starring Humphrey Bogart or Katherine Hepburn, and thought some of it was a bit tame? Even when the movies are great, they seem to play it safe? Most of this is a direct result of what is popularly known as the Hays Code, which most movies had to abide by for a period of time. But what is the Hays Code, and is there more to it than just a few rules and limits?Continue reading What is the Hays Code — Hollywood Production Code Explained
Whenever you hear someone talking about the male gaze, you may be asking yourself, “What is the male gaze?” Well, in this post we’re going to tell you. We’re going to explain what we mean by the term “the male gaze” and we’ll show you some examples from recent films. We’ll also give you some suggestions for how you can subvert the male gaze and create a more balanced visual narrative.Continue reading What is the Male Gaze? Definition and Examples in Film
If you are starting a career in photography, you will inevitably be paid to shoot some type of event. Events can differ vastly ranging from weddings to corporate events to concerts. However, we’ve created a list of a few fundamental tips that will help you capture better photos no matter what event you are shooting. In this article, we discuss how to prepare for shooting an event, what gear and settings you will use, and how to capture great photos on the day of the event.Continue reading 11 Event Photography Tips and Tricks for All Photographers
In 2018, Roger Deakins finally won his first Oscar for Best Cinematography for Blade Runner 2049. And the world was not one bit shocked. As one of the most well respected cinematographers in the business, Deakins seems unable to make a less than beautiful film. So we decided to take a look at the tricks and techniques Deakins uses to make average scenes visually stunning. One trick he uses is utilizing water reflections and patterns. In this article, we’ll take a look at how Deakins achieved this water light reflection effect in Blade Runner 2049. We’ll also break down how you…
Production design is everything that goes into making the world of a film – sets, props and more. But despite its importance, production design is a facet of filmmaking that I think many people take for granted. We often ascribe credit to the writers, directors and stars of a picture rather than the artists working in the shadows. But today, we’re going to honor the great production designers of Hollywood by looking at every Academy Award for Best Production Design winner – then we’ll rank some of the best production designs of all-time. Before we rank the “best” Best Production…
To find an easy-to-use professional-level camera isn’t too difficult in today’s market. There might be lots to pick from but at least you have options. But if you’re on the beginner/enthusiast side, even getting closer to professional-level, and on a budget, it’s not always easy. Finding that sweet spot between inexpensive and well, good enough, can be daunting. Below are our picks for the best cheap 4k camera for filmmaking that will give you excellent stills and video. Continue reading Best Cheap 4K Camera — 5 Great Options Under $1,000
