10 INCREDIBLE Cinematography Advice From Bradford Young

In today’s cinematographer’s insight, learn the 10 best lessons for cinematographers from Bradford Young, ASC. Best known for his work on Selma, When They See Us, A Most Violent Year, Solo: A Star Wars Story and Arrival, which earned him a nomination for an Academy Award.
Young shares some incredible insight and his best tips for young cinematographers and filmmakers.
Please drop a comment below on which cinematographer you’d like us to profile next! Enjoy!
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TIMESTAMPS⏰
00:00 Intro
00:50 #1 Know who you are and where you come from
02:46 #2 Take everyday experiences to extraordinary moments
04:08 #3 Book light, natural light, practicals, negative fill
07:54 #4 This is not a competition, this is life
09:42 #5 Find directors who respect your work
10:41 #6 Learn to communicate your vision
12:15 #7 Create atmosphere, vibe and energy to your frames
14:24 #8 Get your lens closer to your subject
16:02 #9 Work with directors who are supportive
18:12 #10 You are NOT disposable, only YOU can tell your story
SOURCES ✔
Bradford Young Interviews:
• Cinematographer for AR...
• The style and substanc...
• THR Full Oscar Cinemat...
• Upgrade Yourself: The ...
GCI Bradford Young Interviews:
• "Advice to Young Cinem...
• "Exploring Visual Styl...
CookeOpticsTV Bradford Young Interviews:
• How to communicate you...
• How & Why I choose len...
• Lighting Practical Sou...
• Lighting Tips: Bounce ...
Solo A Star Wars Story BTS: • SOLO A STAR WARS STORY...
Bradford Young Masterclass BTS: • Video
Arrival BTS: • Go Behind the Scenes o...
A Most Violent Year BTS: • A Most Violent Year | ...
Bas Goossens: The Book Light: • Bas Goossens - Vlog #1...
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[@AlterCineYT]

Bradford Young had so much unbelievably good advice to share, it was hard to keep it as short as usual. Please let me know what you guys think and if this length was good for you. Also feel free to request a cinematographer you'd like to see next. Have a great day

[@S9universe]

it was incredible, not too long, powerful, human.. so thank you

[@AlterCineYT]

@@S9universe Glad to hear that!

[@jakeEDITsyt]

I watched the whole thing!

[@cubul32]

Keep it short? you crazy? make it 2h+ long if you can. Also, anymore videos like this one?

[@colemanentertainmentllc7224]

What's amazing about Brad is he spoke this way when we were at Howard University together. (me undergrad, him graduate MFA student) Films are more than creating images but a reflection of your own experiences and consciousness to share and reveal a story.

[@AlterCineYT]

That's something not a lot of people talk about, which I think is so important. That you alone create that unique vision because of your own unique interpretation of the world. That's amazing that you had the opportunity to go to university with him! Would you say he hasn't changed since then?

[@angela.iranna]

“You are not disposable. Only you can tell your story” wow 🙌🏾

[@saukibasya]

He's going to be the next legend as Deakins and Lubezki

[@AlterCineYT]

Agreed!

[@cambiowashere5082]

He’s already there

[@cambiowashere5082]

@K nawww he’s warp years ahead in the future. In Outerspace doing what these basic earthlings don’t understand 🪐🪐it’s a new era

[@user-qf7pv7re8r]

so well said, Bradford Young. If you don't see yourself in the story, if the story isn't a reflection of the world you wanna create, it's probably not a story worth telling.

[@joshdiditt]

"When they See Us" was so powerful. I love how he incorporated some Spike Lee and Malik Sayeed in it with the wide, lonely frames.

[@DirectedbySky]

Really enjoyed this interview.. Love Bradford style. Great Job guys!

[@AlterCineYT]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@rolandeskye9330]

I’m inspired. Thank you, Mr. Young!

[@isaacgarcia7839]

This is amazing. Thank you for creating it. I love Bradford Young! I want to be his comrade.

[@AlterCineYT]

Thanks! Huge fan of Bradford as well, honestly one of the greatest insights from any cinematographer to date

[@petersagalla9049]

Amazing advice. Thank you Brad.

[@topestana]

"If this frame takes food from my table it's ok" Nice thought if you live alone. Not so nice if you have mouths to feed. I understand what he means, but if everyone in a film crew thinks like this, nothing gets done. Filmmaking is a team work and like everything in life, common sense and knowing when to compromise is key.

[@askmeaboutmymixtape]

I think what he means is more along the lines of you need to take risks to create truly immersive images that the people feel.

[@mrhonzo22]

I don't think he meant that literally. It's more of a guiding principle, an ideal that should be in the back of your head when you make decisions on taking or not taking jobs. If you don't like a script and don't want to shoot it, maybe you shouldn't. It's MORE fair to say NO to the director now then it is to but heads for a month and end up wasting your time and his doing something you should not be doing to begin with.

[@mdimotionproduct1440]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing.

[@AlterCineYT]

Glad you got some value out of this!

[@EscapeCondition]

A most violent year is one of my most rewatched movies of the last 15-20 years. Had no idea he also did solo which is my 2nd favorite SW movie he's really talented.

[@clay_channel]

I needed this

[@alexanderclaylavin]

Just what I needed to hear today

[@bradeggerton7643]

This is why he is one of the greats in my opinion. Not about the money for him - that's so rare these days. All about the craft & his love for film.

[@theherbiebrown]

I wasn’t familiar with Bradford Young until this video. I appreciate his wisdom and his authenticity. I now have to go back and look at his work. Thank you for positing this: It’s exactly what I needed.

[@AlterCineYT]

This is exactly the reason we do this, really happy to hear that. Thanks so much for the feedback!

[@theherbiebrown]

@@AlterCineYT Thank you for posting. I accidentally found this channel by “accident.” I’m glad I did. It is ridiculously good......all of it (the look, the content....ALL OF IT). It puts me in a creative headspace and truly is inspiring. Please continue the excellent, quality work!

[@AlterCineYT]

@@theherbiebrown Appreciate it Herbie! We have lots of great content coming up and we'll continue to provide value :)

[@mikeboi1587]

Wow, so skilled!!😳🤯

[@catgirlmutant]

very stunning visuals :0

[@whatsgoingon7970]

Great video!!

[@AlterCineYT]

Thank you!

[@jazlusion]

this was amazing advice. Thank you for creating this!

[@AlterCineYT]

Glad you enjoyed this!

[@cambiowashere5082]

They didn’t create this, it’s from another full interview

[@jazlusion]

@@cambiowashere5082 Oh yes I am aware. In terms of editing the bits together, AlterCine did great. But I am aware this is from another interview.

[@ninoydayritvideos]

very powerful words

[@ShamellAntone]

dope vid!!....

[@jtheggz3955]

yes you’re disposable in any field (specially if you not going to shoot it the way the directors wants to) but eventually you will find the right project for you.. but you have to be more open to different type of projects and not so much.. I’m not doing these or that.. specially when you first start!

[@AlterCineYT]

Yes you are definitely disposable by anyone, but I think what Bradford is trying to say is that you must maintain your artistic integrity, and just because everyone says that you are disposable and that anyone else can do what you do, doesn't mean that you should fall into the trap of doing anything for anyone. In the beginning you most likely have to do jobs that you don't like, but by maintaining your integrity and knowing that only YOU can create certain visuals, you'll land on projects that your heart desires - is what I heard from Bradford

[@themediagoats3341]

THIS IS INSANE, THE MOVIE AINT THEM BODIES SAINTS WAS SHOT PARTIALLY INSIDE OF MY MOMS HOME. AT 2:59 MY MOMS HOUSE IS THE BLUE TWO STORY HOUSE IN THE BACKGROUND. I WAS 21 YEARS OLD WHEN THEY SHOT THIS IN SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA. I REMEMBER PEEKING THROUGH THE UPSTAIRS WINDOW WATCHING THIS ENTIRE MOVIE BE FILMED WITH MY CANON T3I I MY HAND. LITTLE DID I KNOW I WOULD BE SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW IN 2021 ONCE AGAIN FEELING THAT SAME INSPIRATION FROM THE SAME MAN WHO SHOT THIS MOVIE.

[@AlterCineYT]

WOW really? That's incredible. And are you a DP now?

[@themediagoats3341]

@@AlterCineYT Yes I am, With hopes of doing it full time soon.

[@KeeganBurner]

Was the track at 4:09 from artlist too? I’ve heard & used a lot of their piano tracks but never that one, I would be stoked to get a name.

[@petrefbegaj]

do anyone know where to find the video he was talking about Roger Deakins on what he think about the closeup?

[@suhaib2789]

Please do lubezki next?

[@AlterCineYT]

We tried to do Chivo but unfortunately right now we couldn't get enough good content as he avoids interviews... hopefully in the future. Tomorrow we're releasing the amazing Rodrigo Prieto!

[@suhaib2789]

@@AlterCineYT i think i can help you, out if you send me your email, i’ll send you a list i made over the years of lubezki interviews and featurettes

[@AlterCineYT]

@@suhaib2789 That would be great!! Thanks! Please send them over to: [e-mail]

[@adamethancrow]

Hell of a guy - good life lessons.

[@MadhusheelaProductionhouse]

🙂

[@kdkseven]

How many cinematography demerits did he get for Solo?

[@chiokehart-kelly3481]

ah maze zing

[@AlterCineYT]

Glad you enjoyed it :)