What is the best camera for vlogging? Well, today we’re going to break down the best vlogging cameras by way of three criteria: features, quality, and value. We’ll also explore each camera’s unique strengths and weaknesses by looking at video reviews. But before we get into the rankings, let’s quickly review vlogging cameras and relevant… Continue reading Best Vlogging Camera — Top Picks Reviewed and Ranked
One of the biggest challenges photographers and cinematographers face is having the images they shoot pop to a viewer. After all, viewers see these images through two-dimensional mediums such as print or screens. Side lighting is a fundamental lighting technique that will help you achieve the three-dimensional lighting style you desire. What is side lighting… Continue reading What is Side Lighting in Photography — Portrait Lighting Tips
Whether you’re a photographer, a video game designer, a filmmaker, or work with VR, thoroughly understanding field of view or (FOV) is your foundation for success. It’s basic optics, and while you likely can assume what it is, let’s quickly go over it and see its importance in photography and the gaming world. So, what… Continue reading What is FOV — The Importance of Field of View in Photography
Close UpsOpen menu Extreme Close-Up (ECU) Close-Up (CU) Medium Close-Up (MCU) Medium ShotsOpen menu Medium Shot (MS) Cowboy Shot (CS) Medium Full Shot (MFS) Wide ShotsOpen menu Full Shot (FS) Wide Shot (WS) Extreme Wide Shot (EWS) More ShotsOpen menu All Shots & Angles Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List Now Cowboy shots… Continue reading The Modern Cowboy Shot — Types of Shots in Film, Explained
There are many elements that go into creating a cinematic shot. The key light is important to expose the image. The fill light can determine the visual tone of a shot. But all too overlooked is the backlight. Back lighting can be the determining factor between a flat image and an interesting shot full of… Continue reading What is Backlight Photography — Lighting Techniques Explained
The list of directors Rodrigo Prieto has worked with reads like a list of the greatest directors currently working: Martin Scorsese, Pedro Almodóvar, Ang Lee, Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, and Alejandro Iñárritu, to name a few. The acclaimed director of photography started in the independent film scene in Mexico, and first gained international attention in… Continue reading Rodrigo Prieto Style – DP for Scorsese, Iñárritu, Ang Lee & More
The reverse angle shot can be found in nearly every movie you have ever seen. Its popularity among even the most stylish cinematographers and filmmakers it’s based on its function rather than aesthetic. So what makes the reverse angle shot so functional? What is it most commonly used for? In this article, we’ll take a… Continue reading What is a Reverse Angle Shot in Film — Shot Types Explained
A couple’s wedding can be one of the biggest days in their life. Usually, all they will have to remember the important occasion are their memories, photos, and a wedding video. If you are hired to capture the latter, you will want to do your best to capture an amazing, cinematic wedding video. In this… Continue reading How to Film Weddings — 10 Wedding Videography Pro-Tips
There are many viable lighting techniques for film and photography, some cheap and simple, and some complex and costly. Short lighting is one technique that continues to grow more and more popular amongst photographers, but what is short lighting photography? We’ll be defining and breaking down the technique, explaining what it’s used for and why,… Continue reading Short Lighting Photography & Lighting Techniques Explained
When shooting a motion picture on physical celluloid, there are different types you can choose from. Each type will be a certain width, which contributes to its quality, size, grain count, and more. When identifying the different types of celluloid used in filmmaking, we refer to these strips by their film gauge, which is often,… Continue reading What is Film Gauge — 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 65/70mm Explained
When a director has a formidable visual style, you need an equally formidable cinematographer. Perhaps that’s why Denis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins have had such a fruitful collaboration. In this post, we’re going to look at their work in Sicario and how elements like lighting and composition were used to support the themes at play.… Continue reading Sicario Cinematography Explained — Lighting & Composition
Types of Camera AnglesOpen menu Insert Image Low Angle Shot Insert Image Eye Level Shot Insert Image High Angle Shots Insert Image Dutch Angle Shot Insert Image Overhead Shot Insert Image Aerial Shot Camera Angle Guide Explore More ShotsOpen menu Insert Image All Camera Shots Insert Image Camera Shot Ultimate Guide Create Free Shot List… Continue reading High Angle Shot — Camera Angle Explained & Iconic Examples
Have you ever changed the focus of your lens and noticed something… change? Not just the focus, but the image itself reframes and changes size. This is focus breathing. It can be annoying and distract your audience when it occurs in the middle of a shot. What is focus breathing and why does it occur?… Continue reading What is Focus Breathing — Camera Lens Techniques Explained
The advent of the internet is arguably the biggest revolution in education since the invention of the printing press. Anything and everything you want to learn about is at the tips of your fingertips including the best cinematography courses. It may be overwhelming to find the best sites and courses online, so we curated a… Continue reading Best Cinematography Online Courses — Basic & Advanced
What is a tracking shot? They are really fun to watch, but difficult to film. We’ve put together a list of the best tracking shots of all time. Then we break down everything you’ll need to consider when blocking and planning a tracking shot in your own projects.Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot? 25 Best Tracking… Continue reading What is a Tracking Shot? 25 Best Tracking Shot Examples
What is Technicolor? Whether you knew at the time or not, you’ve probably seen a Technicolor movie. If you’re trying to recall an example, just think, color, color, color. Technicolor changed the course of cinema forever with bright and bold visuals, saturated to the point of near-surreality. We’re going to look at some examples of… Continue reading What is Technicolor? Definition and History Explained
If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, you’ve probably heard the term aspect ratio quite often. Before you shoot even a single frame of your film, you have to decide what aspect ratio would be best. This decision will affect the staging and framing of every single shot going forward. Why? What is aspect ratio, and why… Continue reading What is Aspect Ratio? A Formula for Framing Success
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… Continue reading Cinematography and Film Terms Every Working Filmmaker Should Know
What phone has the best camera? We’re going to rank the best camera phones to buy by looking at the two essential aspects of camera phones: the camera and the phone. Nowadays, hardware and software both play a huge role in image optimization – so we’ll keep that note in mind when ranking camera phones… Continue reading Best Camera Phone — Buying Guide for Apple, Samsung, Google
You may have heard about golden hour, that special time before a sunset or just after a sunrise. For many photographers, golden hour is a great time to get a wonderful, warm, and beautiful photograph. But what is magic hour? Surely you must have heard of it, especially if you have also heard of golden… Continue reading What is Magic Hour Photography & Cinematography Explained
