The 3 Basics Of Cinematography

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I think the most important duties of a director of photography or DP can best be distilled into 3 basic elements: exposure, lighting and camera positioning and movement. Let's take a look at these 3 aspects of cinematography to show why they are crucial in order to fulfil the DPs overarching function of building and capturing the look of a film.
Lighting Video: • 5 Lighting Concepts Ev...
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0:00 Introduction
1:20 Camera
5:19 Sponsored Message
6:15 Lighting
8:40 Grip
10:25 Conclusion
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[@GreatCassian]

Often "darker scenes" are filmed much brighter and the darkness is brought in the postproduction by decreasing the exposure. This results in less noiser footage. Only difficulty is that you have to set you brightness ratios of your different lights correctly to get the same result as shoting darker.

[@VendettaProduction01]

Ich spreche nicht fließend deutsch. Ich lerne deutsch und ich habe gesehen dass du Deutscher bist und dachte, ich versuche es mal? Wenn ich falsch liege korrigiere mich bitte wenn es dir nicht ausmacht. Dies kann bei geringem Budget der Fall sein oder wenn Sie die Beleuchtung eines Bereichs nicht steuern. Die meisten dunklen Szenen wurden 1:2:6 gedreht. Auf diese Weise können sie einfach die Blende in den Vordergrund schließen und der Hintergrund verschwindet ohne Verstärkung im Schatten. Hopefully that’s close.

[@EHH246]

Yeah, otherwise, you get those obvious “day as night” scenes.

[@kera.habayeho]

I thought of it once , I think you are totally right

[@gbesalvador]

Can you explain the light ratios for dark scenes?

[@dahterrasse]

@@VendettaProduction01 Hey, dein Deutsch ist wirklich gut, well done! Ich hoffe es macht dir Spaß, die Sprache zu lernen :D

[@kaitheguy6504]

As someone who has started to DP on school projects, thank you for affirming my thoughts on what a DP should do.

[@josephasghar]

Not a film maker, but I greatly enjoy these videos. They deepen my enjoyment of film.

[@MichaelCarter]

The exposure triangle is very interesting. I spend a lot of time learning ISO, lately 7222 at 3200! I develop the film myself, then print it using a Uhler Cine Printer, and develop That! There is the exposure in the camera and then there is the exposure in the printer. It is also effected by chemical dilution or concentration, temperature, time and agitation.

[@DethronerX]

Thanks for this. I noticed, maybe intentionally, you missed the secondary effect of the aperture, on depth of field

[@destranger145]

I hope to move out of the UK and go to do Film Study in Michigan State, although I am only 11 years old I thought your videos would be a good way to get me started on cinematography.

[@ricktophin6818]

Thank you for everything you put out, seriously, you keep me and many others learning and wanting to pursue filmmaking. Thank you!!

[@vanilleallard1718]

The thought that a lot of beginner cinematographers disregard light at first is a bit funny to me since that is what got me interested in this role in the first place

[@DanCortesPodcast]

1. Block (rehearse and set frame according to the director) 2. Light/expose for the shot 3. Shoot

[@stevenjamessmith3731]

Sincerely, 'Thank You' for putting that one together! It might seem unnecessary to explain the basics like that, but it was really helpful. To the extent that I'll probably watch that three or four times, before trying to apply it to the rest of the research into cameras that I'm going to have to do. I understand more and more all the time, but we all need an understanding of the basics !

[@k-king18]

Hey Steve James Smith, you sound like you know what you are doing! Have you worked with filming for long?

[@innatemusic]

I really enjoy these videos. The information is great, but even the tone of the presentation, the music underlay and the voice. Great stuff, man!

[@DoubleRaven00]

Excellent video! In addition to the triangle of shutter, aperture, and ISO, many cameras have variable ND behind the lens. This is another important way to control exposure.

[@topicruben]

Excellent video. Thank you very much for all the tips! Cheers from Italy

[@robertobuatti7226]

This is very helpful to know, because while I have learning disabilities I'm looking into some courses in cinematography and screenwriting and may need a helper to understand them at my level, being that my I.Q is so low, but I would love to do anything behind the scenes.

[@zacharyantle7940]

Same, I’m autistic and it’s taken me such a long time to understand this stuff, but I’m so happy to find people like IDC who just seem to be naturally born teachers :) what disabilities do you have btw?

[@robertobuatti7226]

@@zacharyantle7940 I have slight Aspergers and find it extremely hard to learn anything, my passion all my life is movies but because of my learning disabilities it has been really difficult for me to get my foot in the door in Filmmaking. I used to think as a teenager in the 90's being very passionate about movies was one day gonna make me a director but it doesn't work that way, you have to be very skilled and knowledgeable in your field of Filmmaking and study it thoroughly which has been very difficult because of my learning disabilities, but I love this channel and how he breaks Filmmaking down very simply so someone like myself understands even though there's much more to it, but these are the basics.

[@jonnynoakes9070]

Hope you find an enjoyable career whatever path you go down Roberto, good luck to you 🙏🏻

[@robertobuatti7226]

@@jonnynoakes9070 Oh thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it. For me it's not having a career it's doing something I'm extremely passionate about ever since I was a little kid.

[@zacharyantle7940]

@@robertobuatti7226 same here. Where do you live? You could try getting involved in some local filmmaking groups. There’s tons I’m in, if you use Facebook I could add you and show you some of them if you want?

[@lionel.mukendi]

This was fantastic, keep it up!

[@dinner4chiahao]

One of my favorite channels!

[@prakharkhatediya5802]

Can u pls make a video on how cinematographers control Colors on camera. Mainly White Balance, how they do it, and how to do it without a light meter. pls help

[@emilyhawkins8483]

this was extremely helpful for the basics, thank you !!!

[@doc_noki]

Great vid as usual ! Thanks a lot

[@Roubainx]

I love your sense of humor. I look forward to more vids on cinematography

[@effinator]

Very helpful tips, thank you for creating and sharing this!!

[@BalbirSingh-yq2py]

The video I needed ❤️ THANK YOU so much

[@marioaarredondo4624]

I’m such a fan of your videos and knowledge. Thanks for sharing

[@AdalbertoAlmeida_81]

Excellent video. Hopefully you got enough requests for the lighting basics. I’ll keep watching more of your work here.

[@prakharkhatediya5802]

And great work. Keep making these

[@ChrisIngramTheEditor]

Love it!!

[@bibhuranjandutta470]

Make a video on film formats all types of format used by dp

[@nevertrustkids]

I just want to say thank you for your content!!! I can't believe its free

[@SAN-mi3ms]

Very well explained.

[@Jeff123Cali]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@americabazan4615]

thenk you so much for these videos!

[@iamchanuthwick]

Can you do a Guy Ritchie budget level vid?

[@romannagel2414]

Thank you ! Very informative !🙏🙏

[@willclowes3590]

Thanks mate! Very helpful

[@nayanikasinghania8624]

love the quality content you provide🤎

[@rajahansdah5822]

Well explained ❤️

[@ralph7077]

Love the video!

[@becketnelson3601]

Where did you find the behind the scenes footage for the making of The Green Knight?

[@WilsonKowaleski]

Thanks for sharing just grabbed a tshirt!

[@LucknowDiscover]

Good and Informative ♥️

[@dannytetreault]

TAKE-AWAYS: 1. Exposure (camera): shutter speed (shutter angle, 90 degrees less light vs 270 degrees), aperture (hole in lens f1.8 more light, f22 less light), ISO (film speed, low speed 50 ISO darker, high 800 ISO brighter) 2. Lighting 3. Camera Position & Movement (grip), look & continuity Thanks. I am trying to start my own KZbin channel. Very frustrating. Not easy. I can’t believe how hard it is. Camera out of focus. Poor lighting, things falling over, me tripping over tonnes of cords. This helped me to get started. Ciao, Danny Tétreault @DannyFragrance

[@ralphhulsman]

Awesome!

[@roamwell9174]

GREAT video!

[@dylanhosborn]

Excellent thanks!

[@mychalsimmons4177]

This was an awesome video

[@iKIMshuffle]

Thank you! I am trying to understand the cine function on my camera.

[@bully1676]

When the video started I just knew you were going to go in depth anyways when you said a basic video

[@chusetor]

Excellent!!!! Awesome!!!

[@ginotarabotto]

Hi, on the topic of exposure, I noticed that when movies shoot night/dark lit scenes, a lot of times they will appear very lit or bright. I’m guessing in post they then darken it. Is this correct?

[@nicholasboule5134]

Depends on budget and look they want. But yes more times than not it’s a much brighter scene that is then brought way down in post to make it look Like night

[@valhazlife]

Most useful guide ever

[@brandonclark7867]

YOU sir…..are a SAINT. Thank you 🙏

[@fashionablyearlier134]

Thank you for this beginner video. Very helpful without the jargon used in film for a learner.

[@maxsavage8574]

I love how we got chungking express in here

[@riz-af-video]

Nice !

[@LycanVisuals]

I've been taking nothing but pictures and they're so shitty, but hopefully I get a bit better. I'd like to get that cinematography book by Blain Brown that's recommended a lot.

[@ROYSMoGraphDesign9900k]

that's right those are very important thing. to make a basic or professional film..

[@RasJuanFe]

Better impossible... God bless you guys

[@riyasangar4098]

best video!!!

[@ShamellAntone]

great vid...

[@ozzirlin9295]

Great video for beginners! Maybe touch upon different filters such as BPM or Haze?

[@lichtfilme]

I love The Green Knight! Great explanation, great video!

[@HITHITESH]

Thenks

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Is the Sony A7S III better than Panasonic EVA1? In terms of images rendered and dynamic range? (Sony is full frame and EVA1 is super35).

[@g-bodermalmasfilmsinemaken8867]

what abt framing whose responsibility is it the director , the dop or both?

[@BernardBertrand]

10:16 thank you but could you please tell me what movie is that one you've been showing here and there ? thanks ! ( the photography of that movie looks gorgeous )

[@Luciano_cameraman_da_ivetinha]

Adorei sua técnica de me mostrar como fazer um bom vídeo

[@user-kn5sk9rn5e]

Obrigado por este vídeo

[@jonweinraub]

You mention the gating angle. Can you explain open gate itself? And shutter speed isn’t that still a thing? 1/100 s exposure 29 FPS still an exposure beyond 180° right?

[@YASHGUPTA-od4rk]

i want to learn cinematography for animation, can you give advice how to go about it ?

[@Digmen1]

Very interesting. I am only a still photographer, but love movies I wonder why so many modern movies use a blue effect the war move Fury and the tv series Vikings To me it seems very unnatural.

[@Dak_Laxterby]

It's all just using color theory to convey a certain mood for your film. A common strategy is choosing a binary color scheme, something warm for skin tones and cool to contrast with that. On a color wheel, blue and orange happen to be on opposite ends, which mean they complement each other. So using orange for skin tones and blue for general ambience is used a lot. And more to your point/concern, it's very easy to go overboard with that in your color grade to the point where it becomes distracting or unnatural. As a general rule, I always feel as though less is more when it comes to color grading, unless it's something that is supposed to feel surreal or unnatural. For example, this video uses a lot of shots from The Green Knight, which I think is one of the most beautifully shot movies from this year. It's also extremely bold and expressionistic with the way it uses color to convey ideas and is not at all concerned with sticking to the rigid laws of color in the natural world. But it also does so specifically in moments where Gawain is made to feel as though he is no longer existing a familiar, mortal plane and stepping into the larger, wild world that is not concerned with the laws of men. So you can absolutely go crazy and make big choices when thinking about color for your film, but you need to make sure that it's justified and somehow enhances people's understanding or appreciation of the story being told. And for fuck's sake, be gentle with the saturation. It's soooo easy to go too hard on that. Hope that helps!

[@howardhdavidson]

We have amazing detail in today’s 6-8 K cameras yet so many movies are ridiculously dark not just dark scenes but most scenes it seems like a trend today by filmmakers.They are using blur filters on 8 k cameras. Also background blur is so that only one head is in focus all else is out of focus .sometimes with bad focus pulling .

[@satyanaraiandubey4168]

Beautifully explained👌💐unfortunately my 50 year career as DOP over with the celluloid age.Now I am simply updating my knowledge with the digital imaging technology and the innovations in the lighting equipments.Sensitivity of the sensor has changed the traditional lighting technique.Now the actors even are Thanks for the video.

[@blackbeast1952]

please can you tell the title of the movies used as exemples? specially the the one whith a "historic look" please

[@jorteroxd8772]

bro never knew

[@alwinbenjamin]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Chaizin]

Do a video on Christmas movies cinematography

[@Isaiah11823]

🔥

[@manoramashetty5225]

Taking a shot as I am seeing through my my eyes

[@anastasopoulos8618]

What is the name of the film in the background ?

[@daankramer5762]

Where do I find which films are used in this video? I'm interested in the film used at 00:53

[@edelweiss2593]

it's The Green Knight

[@asandwell]

And of course, Martin Campbell and Phil Meheux's collaborations on the Bond films(Goldeneye vs. Casino Royale)

[@OutspokenRap]

lest we forget the secondary effects of aperture and iso as well!

[@andrewelliott4436]

An ability to communicate is essential.

[@nile2227]

Can someone please tell me what the director in @8:59 is looking at?

[@manoramashetty5225]

Why we need know psychological effects and can't we arrange the camera in scenes according to the connectivity of the scenes and I am cinematographer so I should know better and not approval so can't be camera placement be normal if

[@filmmaker5457]

I think as long as you have a camera, is really all you need. Just go and do it. The rest will come. Practical blends w theory

[@falco919]

8:50 I should hope your grip doesn’t lay tracks like that good lord

[@AndrejaPopovik]

What is the name of the movie that is being shown as an example in this video? Looks like a great movie, I would like to watch it :)

[@marsbars6869]

the green knight

[@JoATTech]

What movie is shown through this video mostly for the examples?

[@ivosamuelgiosadominguez6649]

The Green Knight, I think.

[@KalinSteen]

Yep, it’s The Green Knight

[@TurtleMarathon]

Looking at that exposure triangle my love for variable ND filters rose up in protest and then I remembered.... ohhhhh, Right. Basics. It's a basics video.

[@Ra978]

Sometime dark turn the skin to grainy when dark. When smooth it out the skin too soft. How to make the skin clear and take the grainy off?

[@blacklikethesun]

Im guessing this guy really liked the green knight

[@naanaarokyamaanavan2643]

Color?

[@restaurantsecret]

great video sub in first video.....

[@makindeolabisi1967]

lox the next crassy badds

[@Canime14]

@ 9:37 did they break the 180° rule, or just switch the seating of the actors? Because in the top frame, Tim Roth's left side is closer to the window, while in the bottom frame it's his right. Or maybe there's some symmetric/reflective thing I'm missing.

[@johnclay7644]

useful 10mins

[@asandwell]

Adrian Biddle Adam Greenberg Dante Spinotti Oliver Wood Directors who are their own DPs Alik Sakharov and Phil Abraham's work on The Sopranos

[@DialloMoore503]

Biddle was like a Gaffer or something on ALIEN (1979). Look closely at the closing credits and you’ll see his name. Then he got the DP credit in the sequel.

[@asandwell]

@@DialloMoore503 He originally worked on that film as a clapper loader/second assistant camera before being promoted to focus puller. Later Ridley Scott vouched for Biddle when he and Cameron got to talking while Cameron was preparing for Aliens and apparently suggested Cameron hire Biddle as DP. All of us film-goers were amply rewarded.

[@asandwell]

@@DialloMoore503 And then after those films Biddle got to work with Scott again, now as a DP, on Thelma and Louise and 1492.

[@DialloMoore503]

@@asandwell Oh, is that what he did on ALIEN (1979)? My bad. I couldn’t remember exactly. I love how many of the greats received their film education on the set before moving up.

[@captainblaze8909]

Can anybody name the actress or the movie in the thumbnail , thanks

[@ad3098]

5:11 I see what you did there

[@danielbloom6545]

Are you South African bro?