Cinematography Learn from a Master

Ever wanted to know how to use a Camera?
In this film created and produced by Enlightening Education, Richard Michalak (over 30 years of Television and Film Credits and Awards) discusses all of the Fundamentals of Cinematography in a Jam Packed style.
Each topic is illustrated with a Filmed Example.
To see more of our work go to www.enlighteningfilms.com.au

[@DanielJames100]

This man is a genius- not only does he know how to film incredible video, he also is an incredible teacher! Thank you so much- best spent 40mins of my life, and definitely will be watching again!

[@Jerome2736]

:28 - Why not just leave the camera on automatic? :53 - Describing your shot 1:48 - Choosing your shot 2:38 - Storyboard 3:38 - Framing your shot 5:58 - Height of the camera 6:14 - Continuity 7:07 - Eyelines 8:19 - Wide Lens and Long Lens 9:39 - Moving the camera 10:54 - How to move the camera handheld 11:44 - Focusing the camera 12:24 - Focusing a DSLR 13:24 - Frame rate 14:19 - Slow Motion 15:29 - Shutter speed 17:19 - F-stop 18:44 - Depth of field 19:44 - ISO/Gain 20:39 - Filters 22:51 - What camera should I shoot on? 23:41 - What lenses should I buy? 25:27 - White Balance 26:48 - White balancing on a DSLR 28:19 - Why should you light a film? 28:39 - 3 point lighting 31:08 - Soft light and hard light 33:43 - Angles of hard light 34:43 - Silhouetting 35:54 - Shooting with the sun 36:54 - Choosing your background 37:31 - Brightness of Background

[@Envoid344]

thank you!

[@aghiarasberry]

you're a good man

[@ganggangmerde2963]

Jérôme Bourgoin thks

[@sajithks97]

Jérôme Bourgoin thank you mate

[@yRrainer]

Thanks my hero

[@AdPaylor]

Thank you so much Richard and Hugh for sharing this. It's by far the best cinematography tutorial that I've ever seen. I've watched the whole thing and taken tonnes of notes! It's incredibly generous of you both to give your time and share this for free and I for one and very grateful indeed. Thank you :)

[@AngelZunigaMartinez]

Absolutely a wonderfully clear, concise, and patient style of explaining story telling tools for film. Your heart of an artist and love for helping others become artists too really shows as you speak.

[@jamesfraley5596]

Possibly the most clear and informative introductory video I've ever watched on any subject.

[@richardmichalak]

Thanks James

[@BTUNEB3]

This is by far the best video i have seen on Cinematography. Each section was explained in full detail. With options on how to light your subjects properly, and what the differences are between DSLR cameras and traditional video cameras. This video was more than helpful. Thanks for sharing,

[@brainsboy]

Richard, I just started getting into small movie making, just as a hobby but what a wealth of information you have given us. I just realized how much I didn't know about using my camera. thanks the video.

[@hollosaroka]

This is the best quality tutorial I've see so far with great samples, clean speech, excellent pace. It covers all the basics. It is a most see for everybody who aims to influence the result of his/her shots. Thank you.

[@HisOnlySonTV]

This is awesome thank you soo much Mr. Richard Michalak your master class has enlighten my cinematography to another level, which i don't need to pay $$$$$$ dollars. Thank you Sir

[@kahleedurdenproductions1999]

Thank you so much for taking your time and explaining things in plain English. I have watched many tutorials but this one made the most sense to me. Thank you again. Much respect to you.

[@grayfreeman6184]

Great tutorial, I learned so much in just a short time. The examples are perfectly executed and explained in simple terms with no jargon. I will certainly come back to this tutorial for a refresh and highly recommend this to anyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@allanrabindran5695]

Thanks a lot Mr.Hugh Felton. U have done a wonderful job in briefing the different aspects of cinematography. For sure it hints us what needs to be checked and where to be improved. Thanks again

[@BuImran2012]

Tht was very helpful. .. great thnx

[@geraldhancocks6109]

An excellent video Richard and after 30 years of filming I still found interesting points!! I hope you do more videos!

[@oneeyedphotographer]

9:10 It's not the change of lens that makes the difference, it's the repositioning of the camera to achieve the same or similar framing.

[@tubewidsree]

Wonderful work. Thank you so much Richard for the tutorial. I have been looking for a video just like this. Fantastic. Stay blessed.

[@bertdekunst4849]

Just the best video there is on filmmaking

[@EnlighteningFilms]

Cheers mate : )

[@thatmaheshrs]

These are a fantastic set of tips. Thanks for putting together this great video. Very educational.

[@rashidanis5323]

Richard Michalak lot of thanks to share a little bit experience. thanks a lot.

[@anilkumar9586]

You are the legend sir. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@hazemobeid1375]

Excellent and superb job! A must for all beginners.

[@javadfarahani8225]

thank you for clear & simple massage...!! it`s very useful

[@WETrustInHim]

Thanks Hugh, this was very helpful.

[@StevesBeyondRepair]

Just stumbled on your video...love it, and subscribed!!

[@RaviSeth1]

Thank you for this technical information. It's gonna change my way of filming my work. 🤗 Cheers

[@kabirazeez2487]

So on point. Thanks for this.

[@ALVAID6]

Thank you master, i've learned so much from this video. Gbu

[@LScrubb]

Thank you, this is a lot more than my payed cinematography instructor taught.

[@mrkumaran]

loved watching this, thank you

[@EnlighteningFilms]

You are most welcome Kumaran!

[@mrkumaran]

@@EnlighteningFilms thanks, it was helpful, as I started off as an indie filmmaker which does validate what I was doing for the last 20 years. I have made 11 feature films, all blockbusters in cinema in South Africa. Thank you, will look forward to more videos from you

[@claudiaftprivacy6478]

Very good and educational. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think with this video people can start experimenting to understand the endless possibilities of film and video making. It is very basic but understandable. During time of experimenting you will experience many difficulties, like with color grading, and setting the right color in editing and rendering. To get it right the way you want, depends all on how much you have practiced with the basic technics. Don't give up to soon, and don't consider your self Spielberg with one lucky shot. Start with video to improve before you are going to add audio. Audio is an other subject, and not less difficult then video.

[@chinnikrishna4073]

Good info for the beginner's

[@birjupal]

So nice the camera moment

[@lorisharrissfactorpenumbra]

thankyou bro :) it was awesome

[@Naughty-jq2gg]

Thank you sir🥰

[@EnlighteningFilms]

You are most welcome Dhanush!

[@74Bagas]

just AWESOME .. i dont know how expensive this ed

[@1337flite]

I have to be a smart arse - aperture and iris are not the same thing. The iris is the mechanism which moves blades closer (stop down) to or further away (open up) from the longnitudinal axis of the lense, thus increasing or decreasing the aperture, the actual hole. The hole is the aperture, the iris is the mechanism that forms the hole.

[@EnlighteningFilms]

you are correct of course and I could have been more clear. Next time maybe. Richard

[@luttekikker]

+jtan163 I was thinking the same thing when I was watching it, but then again, it was not about getting everything right in this video.

[@1337flite]

+Lutte Kikker - you're right of course and my petty smart arse-ism doesn't take away from the fact that Richard has made a really good, information dense primer for budding cinematographers and given it away. It's actually the best primer on the art I've seen online, paid or free and I have no doubt +Richard Michalak is an incredibly accomplished cinematographer, and knows the difference and a lot more about the technical and creative aspects of his tools - and is gracious when smart asses like me pipe up from the peanut gallery. Yes, I regret my trivial correction in many ways. I apologise to +Richard Michalak. Belatedly, but genuinely. The difference between terms isn't important 99.999% of the time and as you point out +Lutte Kikker it's probably not important in the context of this material. However where it may be important is when the audience is new and learning terms for the first time. Sometimes, for some people the first explanation or name they hear for a thing is the one that sticks and it can be hard to correct that mistaken first impression when it is made. I'm the kind of person that is effected like this - i.e. if I am taught wrong, it can be really hard for me to forget the wrong teaching and pick up the right one. That's no excuse for calling out an master craftsmen on the use of a commonly used misnomer, but it is the reason I did. +Richard Michalak - I imagine this was created as part of a training/education series - if you ever release the rest (or shoot the rest) then I'd love to buy a copy, and I expect a lot of other people might too. I hope me and the other "esteemed" members of the peanut gallery don't put you off posting in future. In the meantime, should you read this, please accept my apologies. I was a dick.

[@luttekikker]

jtan163 You have a point here, you remember often things the best if you hear, do or see it the very first time (you never forget "the first time" right?). But as in so many occasions in real life, a lot what's happening for the first time does not appear as the truth often after a while. This is because truth of things often will be visible later on. People make mistakes all the time and you need some flexibility to see through that and adapt the "new" or "right" truth. I am not sure about what I am saying now, but I really believe that you ONLY can learn by making mistakes. Look at this, at school (middle, higher, it does not matter) you have to read many books. How much do you still remember after 10 or 20 years? Not much or all of it I bet. Learning by doing and making mistakes (i.e. film making, photography, painting and so on) will last forever. Yesterday I recieved a new camera (a Panasonic GH4) and no, it's not a crazy expensive RED camera, but I believe it's good enough to produce some decent footage with some trial and error. Whether the information is right or wrong, I suck it up anyway because sometimes wrong information can be used as well strange enough.

[@nevespereira2246]

+jtan163 I am touched.

[@mlgproductions7658]

Great Stuff Thankyou

[@elronaldese]

@EnlighteningPictures Refreshing lecture Hugh. Can you make a video for lighting a set or a scene?

[@DallasVocals]

It's his only video? I need this in music video form.

[@airnamic8836]

thank you!!!

[@parastooab4935]

this was amazing ... i learned so much ... and that actor guy is hot 😂🙈

[@SK-qy2ik]

Thank you

[@bluememory9146]

💪💪💪💪💪💖 Thank you so much!

[@zorbathezen]

really helped me to understand cinematography!! thank you so much!

[@PedroYounisGoncalves]

This guys is awesome, thank you Richard! This was very helpful indeed. And it's important people understand that these are well explained cinematography techniques for them to employ whichever way they want to. It's not called "how to make a great movie". People should simply take it all in, experiment, and use them how they find fitting for their project; that's education. Thanks again Richard :)

[@EnlighteningFilms]

Hi Pedro, (Richard here) You are exactly right. I and others can only supply ways of working and thinking. The rest is up to you. Good luck making movies. The best fun in the entire world.

[@mowglimancubs5286]

Hugh Fenton Much thanks Richard! Incredibly useful and well explained knowledge. I'll be rewatching and taking notes.

[@williamjver]

Hugh Fenton , Hey Hugh I was hoping to see you do a vlog or another tut vid. or even a product review vid.

[@EnlighteningFilms]

​@@williamjver Hi mate, it's about five years since you wrote this comment... So excuse my late reply. But we have just made a step by step experience which helps people to learn how to film and edit a documentary or promotional film. In less than two weeks it will take someone from no knowledge to being a quality film maker. You are probably highly experienced at this point but if you know anyone wanting to learn film making please direct them to www.enlighteninglearning.com

[@ILLYFletcher]

This perfectly sums up everything I've learnt in 2 years of university... xD

[@HamzaSayah]

the same for me :)

[@lesvolga1355]

learning is bad lol

[@99davinci]

that statement reminds me of the film "Good Will Hunting " where Sidis was defending his friend the guy Ben Afflect from the guy who went to university and said lol you dropped a hundred Gran on an education you could got at a public library the guys was making fun of Will s friend then again William James Sidis was probably the smartest human to ever have lived research him and you will see

[@krane15]

@@99davinci Tell that to your next perspective employer and let us know if it works. On second thought, if that job is in the film and video profession it just might work. That is if you have a reel to support what you've learned. Its one of the few fields left that still accept overall ability over formal education.

[@krane15]

It is a summary. But that doesn't mean you don't need the details.

[@twyse_116]

You're a genius. I feel like i've just been through every essential aspect of film making in just 40 mins. Definitely worth more than wasting a hell of cash and time on a film school. Hope you upload more ideas in future. With all these information, my next project is definitely going to be better than the previous. thanks a lot

[@mrfunnyenuff8632]

Best comedian

[@chittaranjanparamguru6956]

@@mrfunnyenuff8632 to Very genius dop

[@NarekAvetisyan]

I thought I was a smart person until I saw this man using the tripod as a shoulder rig. I was like, ''I'm dumbass. How I didn't think of that?!'' Wow. Jaw dropped! I found this educational video just perfection though. thx for sharing, I love you, you are awesome!!!

[@juusojd]

Probably the the most useful 39 minutes of my life.

[@estudiocreativochacon]

I just was thinking he same here

[@countrycottagelife4184]

This man deserves an award for simple and clear instructions. Thanx.

[@olguiq1013]

touche!

[@colinclark3218]

I agree. Simply and clearly put. Excellent explanations.

[@Thespeedrap]

This is a good video everyone who wants to be a good director should watch this and Stanley Kubrick videos.

[@segunsd]

Film school in 40 minutes!

[@ACimagemaker]

+Olusegun Adekoye lol this is faaar from film school

[@starttherebellion9146]

+Anthony Collins - OA should have said "Cinematography school"... in 40 mins.

[@mininananana]

Start The Rebellion what would qualify it to be a film school?

[@krane15]

Hardly. Its basically describing the topics: If I tell you that a heart transplant is taking out a bad heart and replacing it with a good one do you now know how to perform open-heart surgery?

[@williamjver]

This guy is a pro. He knows his stuff. I learned a ton from this. Thank You.

[@luttekikker]

+williamjver I used to follow the video's of Philip Bloom but I think I found a better online film teacher today!! Bye bye Mr. Bloom :P.

[@royalvarez4540]

+Lutte Kikker yb fcccxvvb .heekznxnz44444444455555444444444444444444444445&=vznx

[@TUCOtheratt]

Wow! A lot of quality info in 40 minutes. I'll have to watch this a few times to absorb it all.

[@Life_Is_A...]

This isn't cinematography, this is love.

[@keithhopkin]

Well done. This is also probably the longest I ever watched a video on KZbin :)

[@DLRmedia3D]

ha, me too!

[@niasboiii]

This guy must have drank like 4L of water

[@kinkun3209]

lol 🤣

[@Joonudschi]

A lot of B roll showing the actor going to the toilet.

[@MaliAussie]

For someone who wanted to buy his first DSLR camera for a while now and was quite confused and sometimes intimidated by all those technical photography terms flying around everywhere these days, this is exactly what I wanted. Precise & easy to follow instructions WITH examples and from someone who is not trying to sell you something. From this video I've understood a lot of stuff I wasn't aware before and thanks to Richard Michalak & the poster, plus all other people who took part in making this video. I am sure there are other amateur photographers (specially those like me who wanted to get into photography but weren't confident enough) who are as grateful as I am.

[@garyarnoldseevers7298]

One of the most comprehensive and well spoken demonstrations of the basics I've ever seen. This video alone could replace an entire section of film school. Well done!

[@FesliyanStudios]

The actor probably needs to pee after all that water drinking lol

[@WomackPhotoKCMO]

Is that all you learned?

[@sayedmohamd5223]

looooooooooooooooooooool

[@tycooper7780]

This is probably the most foolish comment I have seen on a tutorial video. Save the "trying to be cute" comments when you speak to women. Just saying.

[@ianbennett8730]

jeez, way to ruin the fun

[@MileyonDisney]

The people criticizing your comment are only jealous that they didn't think of it. Some people have no sense of humor.

[@LiBear]

What a fantastic in depth and detailed video! 10/10 most helpful tutorial

[@MatinDadib]

This should be a million views

[@mininananana]

Matin Dadib surprise that it isnt

[@ARMClips]

totally agree

[@Tu5gs]

Same

[@Tu5gs]

Matin Dadib it’s three years and still no million views

[@nthabisen]

It’s getting there bro

[@davidmthekidd]

The man, make a FULL dvd and i will place the order.

[@Sylvrfonic]

Thanks for this amazingly informative video.

[@lucianodebortoli]

This is short of views

[@KeithAvila]

Sure hope the guy had a bathroom break. That was a lot of water

[@dvdowns]

Thanks very much for the useful info. Please ignore the negative comments there are a lot of people who have nothing better to do than look for something to be negative about.

[@Dilandau88]

guess I'm a filmmaker now

[@bencevarga6304]

Once you start, you're a filmmaker.

[@TheDumontShow]

Bence Varga no, once u start experiencing everything fucking up on you til it is done, then you are a filmmaker. but in the game, there are two people: the director and the filmmaker

[@krane15]

@@bencevarga6304 Aka, anyone who can push the PLAY button?

[@mpamai9678]

The best cinematography teacher i've ever watch in youtube.. wish you could make more like this. Thanks you Richard. I have learned a lot from your guide.

[@richie_completefightercare]

One of the best tutorials I have seen on youtube . Thank you.

[@nathansinnott1784]

this is youtube.

[@Jyotighimire]

Me too.......

[@legorigplaysmc]

Falryx Swiftblade great i made it to the right place

[@johntube7554]

I agree as well.

[@Bobster986]

Bravo!!! This video covered everything better in 40 mins than what I learned is photography school and in real world experience. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge. :-)

[@SmokeeWhine]

This is the best beginners film making tutorial I have ever seen online. Thanks for making this. I am planning on making my first full length film soon and this information is great. I will put it in my favorites, I really appreciate you taking the time to do this.

[@SaschaGrenner]

The UV filter also protects your Camera Sensor and actually does have a slight effect on light and color.

[@VeganFootsoldier]

probably the best one stop course I've seen on basic Cinematography. Would be nice to see a part 2 with more advanced concepts/rules.

[@PeterFritzWalter]

Great tutorial, and it's free. Thank you so much!!

[@DavidLeeUnderWater]

9 years later and this is still one of the best breakdowns I’ve come across. 👏👍🏽

[@firstnamelastname6157]

do you know of any other lectures that might be equally educating in cinematography or filmmaking in general maybe eve sound design? if you do help me out here I've been looking but haven't found really good ones.

[@EnlighteningFilms]

Hi @fstopmovies I've just created a whole series of films which I've uploaded to this channel for free which allow you to learn our step by step filming and editing process to create a promotional, educational or documentary film which all have pretty much the same style of filming and editing.

[@JohnThePA]

This was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing such great insight with examples

[@Ricadamu]

This video was executed so succinctly and clearly. Incredible job. Thank you.

[@lancethrustworthy]

Bravo. Well done. Full of tightly packed information.

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

This video has a plentitude of useful information! Thank you.

[@lostinconfusion87]

Hey Hugh, thank you for the info, and time that you put into this video.

[@InspireWoodcraft]

I can't help but wonder how much water this guy drank during all these takes.

[@cainster]

Four years later and this is still one of the better videos I have found regarding the subject.

[@IsraelEziedo]

Years ago, this video really started me out on my filmmaking career in Nigeria. Thank you, Richard. Thank you.

[@EnlighteningFilms]

You're welcome Israel. Thanks for taking the time to say that : ) Glad it made a difference for you : )

[@rozanneshelby7647]

I've earned two degrees from Full Sail University and I learned as much from these guys in one night...Highly recommended..link is below

[@rozanneshelby7647]

*Highly recommended* t.co/gcJw1hcsBh

[@moussabarada9556]

Same here! Got a master's from the school of visual arts and still feel like this guy taught me just as much...something's wrong with these film programs.

[@tigerbody69]

that doesn't say too much about full sail

[@krane15]

@@tigerbody69 They learned the fundamentals. They still need to learn the technique. Like watching a video to learn how to swim.

[@flyingdiscproductions]

@@krane15 in the video? because at full sail one has TONS of practice!

[@alekseydomino]

Superb video! Thanks a lot for this!

[@henrikjrgensen5958]

This is exactly what I've been looking for. No gimmicks, no BS, just the information presented in a well structured manner that is simple and easy to follow.

[@nicknozzy]

Very usefull, thanks for sharing

[@RubberDuc]

Could you tell me what ISO you were shooting at when you were using just the one light around the actors face at 34:00? I don't see any grain and I don't understand why since there was hardly any light at all, thanks!

[@EnlighteningFilms]

as I recall we shot the whole thing around 1200 ISO which is generally considered the highest non grainy ISO on a Canon 5D Mk2.. Above that you may begin to get grain.

[@topspeedjunkie1]

I can't tell you how much this video has helped me You have a real nack for explaining difficult concepts in a very simple way that is easy to grasp. I feel completely invigorated about videography again. I was getting sick of trying to figure out what people were doing to obtain certain looks but with this in depth look I feel a renewed energy towards making my first Documentary God Bless You and please keep up the good work

[@danoc51]

Great tutorial! Richard takes on all the basics of making good cinema, simplifying everything. Also, I appreciate the use of low-budget tools, such as the tracing paper for creating soft light (as opposed to expensive lights, umbrellas, diffusion material, etc.). This is a must for any beginner shooting video.

[@ColetheAero]

Truthfully, after watching this, anybody can become a Filmmaker now !

[@SomnathNagawade]

Best video on cinematography on internet till date!!

[@michalfornalczyk3533]

2:38 she's broken up with him via email.. That's harsh

[@rafspoint]

Thanks for the time invested

[@Dr.AndrewRozario]

Its Batter 24p ... 24 frame Is The real Film Frame rate ..... 95% Of Video in KZbin saying the same thing ..... !!!!! I Must Say This VIDEO Was Epic I Loved it .... Informative Video

[@DHinez]

Thanks , this video helped a lot!

[@VigneshDhakshinamoorthy]

14:19 what a legend, youtubers are all talking about 120fps today but you kind sir has already said it 8 yrs ago. 😇

[@ToddKron]

I roll my eyes when anyone calls themselves a master...even a master. But must say, best video on the subject available. Excellent. thank you.

[@krane15]

It sounds like you need to expand on your definition of "master."

[@corduroyepps4700]

Wow I'm late It's 2016 great! I don't know much about film . I have been thinking about picking it up as a hobby. You know Cinematography makes or breaks a movie or film for me. I think its sad Hollywood doesn't invest more in the creative content of the things they put out. Most movies look like absolute crap these days. I'm a very visual guy and the visuals seal the deal for me. When I watch something I want haunting surreal realism lol lol. I think the best word to describe it is "crisp".

[@gerrysimpson2551]

A great insight from a real master. Thank you Richard :)