How Do I Start Learning Cinematography

So you have decided to pursue cinematographic art as a career! You are not alone, there are over 1 million people in this world who make a living from filming and editing videos and commercials, using their artistic talent to express themselves through film.

The term ‘cinematographer’ comes from the word cinema, which is where most of us get our first exposure to the medium. A cinematographer typically works with editors to create shots for a movie or show. These can be establishing shots, close-up shots, tracking shots, etc.

Some other jobs that a cinematographer may hold include camera operator, gaffer (lighting technician), boom mic operator, or focus puller. All of these positions require a high degree of teamwork and collaboration.

Having a basic understanding of how light interacts with matter and space is very important. For example, knowing what kind of lights work best for different types of scenes depends upon your knowledge of lighting theory.

In addition to having strong team skills, being able to write effective dialogue is crucial for filmmaking. Written words play an integral part in telling a story via dialogues, descriptions, and quotes.

This article will go into more detail about each position and what it takes to be successful at them. In order to succeed as a beginner cinematographer, start by learning the basics of shooting films! Here are some helpful tips and things to watch out for.

Make a list of cinematography terms

While most people are familiar with the term photographer, there is an even more fundamental part of the profession that gets left out - cinematographer!

That’s right - beyond the person taking still photos, there is also someone who creates shots for the camera while filming a movie or TV show. These individuals are referred to as cinematic photographers, or sometimes just cinematographers.

To be successful as a filmmaker, you will need to know at least the basics of what a cinematographer does. Beyond that, however, it is very helpful to understand the terminology used in this craft so you can better hone your own skills.

So how do you start learning about cinematography? By making a list of important terms first! There are many resources available online and through community groups such as film guilds and associations.

Research different cinematography techniques

One of the most important things to start as a beginner is learning about the basics of filming, or what’s called “cinematics.” This includes such fundamentals as shutter speed, f-stop, and aperture.

Shutter speed refers to how long you hold the camera still while recording footage, and therefore affects whether the images look smooth or blurry. A longer exposure time can create a smoother motion effect, whereas a shorter one can make it seem more dramatic.

A faster shutter speed also allows for less chance of ghosting, when there are multiple sources of light that cause reflections in the film. Ghosting can be eliminated by using very short exposures, but this will not allow for enough time to record the activity being filmed.

The opposite of a fast shutter is a ́slow shutter, which requires holding the device up much longer than usual to get the same effect. This could potentially blur part of the action being recorded.

By experimenting with different slow shutters, ghost effects can easily be avoided! There are many ways to achieve this, like having natural sunlight help capture the needed amount of time, or simply using a tripod.

Another fundamental element of cinematics is the use of an f-stop. An f-stop is a ratio used to regulate the size of your lens, and therefore the degree to which it zooms out.

Practice filming with a tripod and a camera

A great way to learn the basics of cinematography is by practicing shooting with a tripod and camera. There are many ways to begin experimenting with this approach!

You can take your dog for a walk, or go to a local park that has beautiful natural scenery, both of which would make for incredible photography. Or you could use an event at your workplace or community as your practice space - even if it’s just for an hour a week!

Whatever you choose to do, just be sure to dress professionally and include all the necessary equipment!

That includes a tripod, lens, battery charger, cable, and more depending on what kind of camera you have. Make sure everything fits in our bag nicely so we don’t have to carry anything extra. 🙂

But beyond those basic items, feel free to add things like lighting gear, sound equipment, etc. to better match the environment you are in or create additional effects using Photoshop or other editing software.

Learn to use lighting correctly

As we have discussed, lighting is one of the most important parts of cinematographic filming. Lighting can be natural light, artificial light, or both!

Natural light is when there is direct illumination coming from the sun or other sources. Artificial lights are those that are man made so they must be powered and transported somewhere else!

Artificial light is usually done for two reasons: to take away some of the need for natural light, or to add intensity to an area or picture. Props, backgrounds, etc. can all be lit this way if used properly.

Properly using lighting takes time to master though! There are many ways to achieve different looks, levels, angles, etc. The best way depends on what effect you want to get!

There are many sites with free tutorials and videos on how to use light in photography and filmmaking. Many of these focus more on practical applications than just theory.

Become familiar with different genres of film

As we have discussed, cinematography is a very diverse field that covers many different styles and types of filming. Therefore, it is important to know what kind of films are considered cineliterate.
You do not need to love every movie you see, but you should be able to recognize good shots when you see them.

Film genre classification typically includes action, drama, comedy, documentary, and more. Each of these genres has their own rules and settings so learning those is also part of understanding how to start shooting your own movies!

Action movies usually contain lots of fast-paced scenes which require special attention to lighting and camera angles. Documentary filmmakers often use natural light because it does not requiring much additional effort to create beautiful images.

Comedic films may feature jokes that depend heavily on timing and tone, making careful control over both crucial to capturing great pictures. With a little practice, you will feel confident in your ability to take creative photos during any type of filmmaking style.

Learn how to take photos for a cinematography blog

Starting out as a filmmaker is very difficult if you do not have any experience. It can be even harder when your goal is to become famous, or at least popularly known. If you are looking to break into the industry, having the proper introductions and pre-requisite skills is crucial.

Having a basic knowledge of photography is essential in starting your journey as a cinematographer. While most people consider taking pictures before filmmaking, it’s just the opposite!

By learning the basics of photo editing, photoshopping, and graphic design, you can create your own style and apply it to cinema. You may also want to look into still photography, such as taking self-portraits or fashion photographs.

This article will go more in depth about some of the things that start up filmmakers don’t know about filming and editing videos.

Create your signature look

As with any artistic field, being able to identify your style is a great way to begin exploring the medium of cinematography. What people say about their favorite films and filmmakers has played a big part in shaping theirs!

By looking at the movies you love, you’ll get inspiration for new ideas or ways to apply what you already know. The best way to start is by experimenting with nature and still life photography as well as documentary and POV (point-of-view) filming styles.

These all play an important role in cinematic storytelling, so studying them will help you become more skilled. You can also find many aspiring cinematographers who are very open about how they use these concepts in their work, so researching those artists is another good starting point.

Know the basics of composition

A lot of people start taking pictures with a camera before moving onto bigger equipment, which is great! But knowing how to use your camera effectively starting with the basic functions is important to know.

The most fundamental thing you will need to do as a beginner photographer is understand what exposure is! This means determining whether your picture is too dark or light, and adjusting accordingly.

Other things like using filters or lighting modes are also very important initial steps for aspiring photographers.