Cinematography

As a cinematographer, your job extends far beyond simply capturing a well-exposed image. You are a visual psychologist, tasked with translating the complex inner worlds of characters into a language of light, shadow, and movement. Every choice you make—from lens selection and camera placement to the…

"I want to be a filmmaker. Where do I start? What camera should I use?" This is one of the most common questions cinematographers like Shane Hurlbut, ASC, get from aspiring storytellers. His answer is often surprising: start with the powerful cinema camera already in your pocket. Modern smartphones,…

Lighting is far more than just making actors visible. In fact, lighting emotion is a powerful narrative tool that can convey the character's internal world. In this excerpt from "Actor Blocking with Practical Lighting" – the fourth installment of our On Set Series: Cinematic Light Sources – cinematographer…

What’s the deal with Streaks ‘N Tips as a lighting technique? Well, as cinematographers, we're constantly battling and embracing light. Practical light sources — those lamps, bulbs, and fixtures that exist within your scene — can add immense realism and atmosphere. But they can also be unruly,…

Firelight. It’s primal and evocative. It can instantly infuse a scene with unparalleled atmosphere and realism. Yet, taming its wild flicker and translating its raw beauty into a controlled, cinematic image presents a unique set of challenges for any filmmaker. How do you harness that organic glow?…

The path of a modern cinematographer is rarely straightforward. It demands technical skill, artistic vision, relentless hustle, and often, an entrepreneurial spirit. Young, versatile DP Tucker K Anderson embodies this multifaceted approach. His work spans high-energy action sports docs, slick commercials…

Blackmagic Design has a history of shaking things up. From democratizing color grading with DaVinci Resolve to putting RAW recording in compact cameras, they've consistently challenged the status quo. Now, with the URSA Cine 12K LF, they're stepping firmly into the high-end cinema arena, aiming not just…