Light and compose better shots

My collection of cinematography tutorial videos: lewispotts.thinkific.com/
The video I'm referencing - • routine

[@gen0987]

wake up babe there's a new lewis potts video

[@Videoshane]

1000%

[@BrandonWells]

the thing I love about your approach - you paint with broad strokes and you know that even being somewhat lazy about an execution doesn't matter because the viewer doesn't A/B tests shots when they watch something lol. You get what you watch, and even with the overexposed tunnel shot, the viewer wouldn't likely know otherwise because theres no comparison and it's just a great shot. you know the techniques that will carry you much further in stylized execution so that the rest is just storytelling.

[@nickl224]

Moments like this are a good reminder why you shouldn't really care if that new camera has a 0.2 stop wider dynamic range... You're still gonna make a mistake and everything will be overexposed but with some magic and editing the shot will end up nice anyway

[@ryebruhd]

Little details like switching from the smoke to natural dust in that hallway/door shot are brilliant examples of quick problem solving that goes a long way. An extremely valuable skill to have in this industry. Always appreciate and inspired by your content.

[@davidbroughton5237]

Yes, was going to comment the same thing. It's easy to forget to include problem solving in what we imagine "creativity" means in filmmaking

[@aalooprod]

More of these when you get time please, your chill attitude and dry humor just makes it 10 times more enjoyable and easy to learn

[@editorrafa4985]

These videos are great man, love how you go into depth about why you used the gear and lighting you did!

[@adamouellette5971]

You've singlehandedly reinvigorated my love for cinematography. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Genuinely. I forgot I knew how to do these things but now I remember, and I remember why I enjoyed doing it.

[@richardwilliamson1533]

I love the videos where you work on big commercials, but this was one of my favorites because it reminds me that sometimes I just need to go out and shoot something. I'm super excited to see your filmmaking workshops!

[@crabfilms4031]

Lewis, your DoP content is the best content I have ever seen. I like you and your work a lot! Thanks for inspiration!

[@jmlepunk]

You're the man Lewis. Great stuff, we appreciate you

[@NorthStarCinema]

Appreciate how you post videos of your process. As a new cinematographer, it's great to see a (way) more established one's workflow

[@iampeterkuhtz]

I'm happy every time I discover filmmakers like Lewis who don't produce the usual cheap fake content just to get attention by any means, but still see filmmaking as an art and every little thing and every detail counts. Thank you for that and keep up the good work.

[@dudedavid522]

Holy shit, did he just say he's putting out a course? Fuck yes

[@AbdulbasitYT]

I love lewis potts , the Cinematographer, the explaining, everything! Hes making me a better cinematographer, every upload is like birthday 🎈✨🎉

[@adeladam2325]

Though I aspire to be a director, I want to be as technically proficient as possible. I must say, your channel is the best cinematography channel I've found on YT. I really like how seriously you take your craft. It inspires me to do same. I just can't wait for the cinematography tutorials.

[@brittacurkovic]

I particularly love the colour contrast and shape in the clock shot, and how you brought the blue reflection in to echo the blue gel in the back. Thank you for sharing!

[@Petskuta]

Great stuff once again. I especially like the composition breakdowns, you don't really register all the thought that goes in it until it gets deconstructed.

[@moanafrancisnitschkehucke6621]

Amazing video as always, so simple yet so effective. Hands down my favorite "tutorial dude" out there. Love from Germany

[@bobbyfilmsthings]

I really love your approach to composition and hearing your thoughts and intentions behind each shot

[@TheOriginalNexo]

Always awesome looking at how other do things ! Your inputs are always very interesting to listen to as well, thanks Lewis !

[@patrickdowner194]

Got the notification and clicked right away. Love me a good Lewis Potts KZbin video breakdown.

[@zeeshandhanani]

Love your content Lewis. Thank you for taking the time to make this! Looking forward to your upcoming tutorials.

[@simonberube1544]

I don't know what it is about your approach that works so well, but I have to say I enjoy your videos very much. Looking forward to an in-depth technical series for sure!

[@bradschwartzrock]

Love these breakdown videos. Incredible.

[@joshua.m.pictures5545]

Dude… your energy is just amazing, I love it 😄

[@TimonBirkhofer]

You continue to be one of the most entertaining people on KZbin, on top of really knowing your stuff. ❤

[@mauriciotrujillo9016]

Captain! 🫡 that shot with the sun in the building was beautiful!

[@davidp158]

Great stuff as always. I look forward to you tutorial course.

[@earlderrd2735]

I have found myself a trove of treasure! You sir are amazing!

[@atindrabiswasDP]

Great video. ❤️🤘🤘🌟🌟🌟 More of this kind of Breakdown video needed man.

[@pglazzari1]

Always pleasure hearing you describe your experiences and skills. Keep it up mate.

[@kvazi1]

You my hero, love to learn from your videos, it helps a lot

[@millsmcqueen]

brilliant stuff, this breakdown and the vignette it references. thank you, friend.

[@LukeDewar]

So this is what you were using the equipment for. Love to see it. Can't wait for those tutorials you have cooking up, they're looking mighty fine. Catcha in the next video.

[@KoLeeNoodles]

Love your videos mate, proper helpful

[@marcusmezzano]

Thank you so much for this. EXTREMELY helpful. Mainly because it just helps me THINK differently when looking at a shot 🤘🏼

[@Skedooosh]

Love your stuff

[@hanson141804]

these in-depth tutorials are great!

[@sonofthesea]

I'll keep an eye out for your courses. That will be worth waiting for.

[@ForlornCreature]

Thank you so much for the tips! I’m keen to see your tutorials when they come out

[@reecegrocott9620]

That ND reflection is a great tip. Great way to save on gobos.

[@nathanreygold]

Seeing your process is so insightful! I'm excited to utilize more of the potential of my FX-30 🙌

[@AdamInside]

i've never seen fx30 footage look this good !!

[@artisticbehaviormn]

Another 🔥 video! Very inspiring!

[@innatemusic]

Can't wait to see what you have in store.

[@AndrewPaul1]

this is such a wild video to watch - I moved to Perth when I was 18 and lived there for 4 years, I lived just to the right of that tunnel scene - was just such a shock moment for me. Also great lighting tips ahaha

[@fishernigel]

Great video mate! Great city you live in too. I’ve been watching your vids a while and only just realised you’re in Perth.

[@danielellis8685]

That ND gel bounce tho....thanks Lew.

[@StephenHildreth]

The three best things about Australia in no particular order: Lewis Potts, Andrew Lock (Gaffer and Gear), and Bluey. I said what I said.

[@OrangeBrick8]

Love your videos man

[@cinematools9621]

The bar shot looks amazing.

[@TheSnowOlve]

Thanks!! This is great!!!

[@owenjenkinsofficial]

I love the $14 walmart Swivel you used to mount the FX30 to your slider. I recognized that immediately! Great little thing for quick setups that are mostly upright. 😂

[@Elassyahmed]

I knew there was a reason I couldn't sleep.

[@jacques_crafford]

Always a treat! Another fun watch, thanks man!

[@lewispotts]

Thanks man!

[@SamMcGhee]

I’ve been waiting for this one. 🤘🏻😮‍💨

[@SenAyan24]

Great video.

[@isaaccarlton]

This is the best channel on youtube

[@tomonfilmYT]

Fav channel on YT.

[@nyambe]

we need more of this

[@alex.muntean]

Amazing. 👏🏻

[@danpalooza]

Wake up babe, new Lewis Potts vid dropped

[@thegeniusdirector]

Excellent ❤ first to comment, download

[@ogcarlos7407]

🙌🏼good content

[@mcgreevs24]

Another classic!

[@whostammam]

for the car shots how do u get them in focus so well?

[@_GhostGarden_]

Cant wait for those tutorials man.

[@BradleyInghamiom]

Love it 🙏

[@andobarks]

Thank you great breakdown. Where do you get your ND rolls in Perth?

[@PeterKae]

really helpful insights!

[@flipshuman]

Cool guy Lewis

[@ForlornCreature]

Creating layers with environments is good but I was wondering what your process is for actually finding shots like that? Do you kinda roughly pick a spot that will work and then try lots of potential shots?

[@sramosmedia]

Great tutorial! I have a question! I'm about to buy my first set of cine lenses and I shoot on a super 35. What lenses do you use the most during a talking head doc and b roll? I was thinking on getting a 50 and 35. Thansk!

[@WhatsIvanDoing]

very underrated

[@willfulmattergonefr]

Excellent stuff. With the FX30 not having open gate, did you just crop the final image to 2.39:1? Do you feel like you lost any of the lens' character by cropping out the sides? The shots look siiiiiick and super anamorphic-y but curious as to your thoughts

[@jonathan112]

Which software/luts/plug-ins did you use to grade the footage? I like it very much! Especially the blue hour shots

[@scottdoar2161]

It's honestly nuts how much you can get out of just a panel, a 300d, a 600d, a spotlight mount and some gels. oh and the MC can't forget that little guy.

[@nm800]

Another great video Lewis! It would be great to have other tutorials in more complicated shooting environments, but I have to ask you... what about your Alexa 35??🤣

[@danielmilz]

Pretty cool !

[@martsindrikiszunde8424]

More videos about the mindest of lighting for film vs digital, metering, and how the film will react to the light. For example how to get clean good blacks on film and stuff like that

[@WhySteve]

I remember that last shot, loving the vibe of it! How do you approach focus in your shots? I shoot everything solo, and when I'm using f/1.4 lenses, even using a focus assists or focus buddy 9000 (that's a doll I made to put where I am going to shoot for focus) I tend to move slightly out of the realm of focus and ruin the shot sometimes. And you don't want to set everything up again and do it all over, because, you know, yolo.

[@antzpantz]

Mustang Bar? (I initially thought it was Alabama Song!)

[@scottwilson2272]

Hey Lewis. I absolutely love your channel and your insights. I am curious though - a lot of young filmmakers like myself don't quite have the budget for industry grade Komodo-like cameras, yet we CAN play around with light and composition - would you be willing to portray lighting techniques with a camera that wasn't quite as high quality just to show how much lighting and composition can create a mood rather than particular lenses / cameras? I would love to see you use your skill as a cinematographer in this regard. Obviously, you do you, would not want to pull you away from your Titanic books, was just curious. Cheers.

[@domtaffa]

I was just wondering how you set up the camera in your car. For example at 5:42 did you put a tripod on the back seat, did you have a back seat, did you strap it down, etc.

[@suranyibotond]

Thank you!

[@Derrick_Evans]

This may sound like a really simple question, but what are you setting the white balance to when you’re using gels. I am curious if most people mess with balance when color grading or setting it more when you capture it in camera.

[@lewispotts]

It was between 4500 and 5600

[@crs.rojas90]

What is it that you are using to separate the filter from the 1200D? Could you link an Amazon link ?

[@MG_TIM]

Please talk morw about PRE-PRODUCTION , HOW do you come up with a script and does it necessarily have a story or it could be just visuals

[@Carloton123]

Great video! How do you rig the camera inside the car to avoid camera shake while driving?

[@lewispotts]

Just using a tripod, It was shaking but I don’t mind that look

[@liveartlife]

what picture profile did u used on Sony ?

[@raizanong]

Can you record yourself setting up the lights, I feel like it would help a lot to see how you envision lighting these scenes.

[@alvarogil8325]

the fx30 looks blurry at night, it is the youtube compression?

[@-Flynn]

When it comes to using smoke/haze in a scene are there any kind of golden rules or guidelines that you follow or is it just a case of eyeballing it?

[@tomcattermole1844]

im no cinematographer but my take is using the most amount of smoke possible without it seeming unrealistic. Hence, studio shoots go crazy on smoke because they're unrealistic by nature but a standard setting (like inside a house) should just be enough to seem like particles/dust but not smokey/hazy.

[@juanfantasma8053]

Export settings pls.

[@EmFarber]

Master

[@_pelu2519]

hi! i've a question for you: can you tell me how do you light/shoot/edit those dark areas without getting a lot of noise? thanks

[@daw9938]

how did you rig the tunnel shot with the camera in the backseat?

[@DANAMIONLINE]

What is that clamp holding the apterure MC?

[@lewispotts]

Small rig crab shaped clamp

[@danielboulton922]

Another great vid! Really boring question. But why did you choose the fx30 over the Fx3?

[@lewispotts]

Cheaper

[@chronoscopefilm5984]

what did you use to mount camera to back of the car seat?

[@flochfitness]

On your slider shots, how do you pull focus while filming yourself?

[@lewispotts]

Either with an auto focus lens, or in this case with this anamorphic I set the lens at about 2.8 1/2 then set the focus on the myself halfway through the slider move so the depth of field was big enough to keep me sharp enough the whole time

[@flochfitness]

@@lewispotts AWESOME!!!! This has been perplexing me for quite some time. Now I can break out my slider and give this a shot!!!!!!