Understanding the Cinematography of Hoyte Van Hoytema

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I go through some of Hoyte Van Hoytema's cinematography techniques to help you understand his unique style.
Just to be clear: Hoyte Van Hoytema changes his style to suit the movies he shoots. The goal of this video and article is to drum up enthusiasm and a yearning to learn more.
Think of it as a tribute, nothing more is intended.
And don't forget to subscribe to this channel!
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[@NatiAmos]

as a filmmaker, this was a delight. very few youtubers out there discuss cinematography at this level - lighting set-ups, camera and lenses choices etc. keep up the good work!

[@wolfcrow]

+Nati Amos Thanks!

[@iddeactivated1171]

Hands down the best Chanel on KZbin for me

[@willmelbourne]

The aerial shots in Dunkirk were stunning.

[@kevindiossi]

Excellent breakdown. He's a fantastic cinematographer and is often imitated. His lighting style is superb with its natural look and feel.

[@wolfcrow]

+Kevin DiOssi Thanks!

[@jahllypallka8927]

After watching "Her" I was stunned by the movie's cinematography. It was a shame for the academy that they didn't nominate his work. And now I'm really glad that Christopher Nolan, a great director sees the talent of Hoyte van Hoytema after they worked on Interstellar. Yup, really excited about Dunkirk because of Nolan, Hoytema and Zimmer.

[@wolfcrow]

Her is special, but Birdman...that was something else.

[@jahllypallka8927]

wolfcrow I agree ! Lubezski really knows how to make movies to an art. I just really wanted hoytema's work be acknowledge.

[@foglias]

Her is from 2013 as same as Gravity, which is the one that won Best Cinematography in that occasion. Well deserved by Lubezki, but Hoytema should got at least a Best Cinematopraphy nod.

[@novusvoss]

Thank you so much wolfcrow! My favorites by Hoytema are "Let the right one in" and "Interstellar".

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@pedrobuson5880]

Oh!!! Sean Bobbitt as well! Hunger, Shame and The Place Beyond the Pines have some breathtaking lights and texture.

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@hisham9615]

The shot at 1:25. Just WOW! 😻

[@DavidMillsSeven]

Hoyte is a phenomenal cinematographer, a man who is observant, but sees with his heart looking for intimacy first. Furthermore he’s an engineer too, building gear where he cannot buy it. In other words: he adapts his gear always to the story and vision of his director.

[@videotestmille]

Thank you for your great work !

[@themustang181]

I'm new to the channel but I really appreciate these videos so far! I'm curious, though, where do you get your information? Such as lighting preferences and tools used.. Is it just from observation?

[@ronaldgraygray1460]

I find all of material to be so informative. Thank you.

[@wolfcrow]

Ronald Gray Gray You're welcome!

[@GabrielGarciaRosa]

can't wait for a Christopher Doyle video from you. 😎 That would be so cool. It's very hard to find the technical details of C.Doyle's work since he rarely talks about it and talks about more on the philosophy of general art. To see any break down of Chris Doyle's work would be wonderful to view.

[@JeraCravoMyself]

Awesome video!!! I really loved Hoytema's work not even knowing he did all those movies! You just connected the dots for me brilliantly! Thank you

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@PaulIsTheKillingestOnYT]

I'd like to see more Swedish cinematographers analyzed because their work always struck me for their straightforwardness and neutrality. People like Par Ekberg, Erik Sohlstrom, Crille Forsberg, and John Strandh. :)

[@KarolisJurevicius]

Damn man! So much good information! Thank you!

[@SALisRad]

This was incredible. Thank you for this. I want more!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome. More coming!

[@aleksandargazibara7375]

this was amazing, thanks a lot!

[@alex_browning]

Another absolutely brilliant video. Loving these cinematographer breakdowns. Was really excited to see one of my favorite DP's too. Can't wait to see who you do next. I'd love to see a Wally Pfister breakdown in the future. But either way, keep them coming! Cheers!

[@wolfcrow]

+Alex Browning Thank you,! He's on the list!

[@a-g3003]

Fantastic, thank you!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@adjacentarchive]

Love your works! keep it up. btw cleaver editing!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@cristiansaavedra2094]

amazing work and dedication on your videos, thank you, they are very helpfull. =)

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@LexArias]

Brilliant.. i learn a lot with this videos...

[@wolfcrow]

+Lex Arias Thanks!

[@davidanthonybts]

Nice channel btw ;), hoyte is one of my favs and from my home country :)

[@honest_noise]

Thank you for doing this!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@CarlosRiveraFernandez]

Freddie Young! He's so iconic and so damn important!

[@jaredfadel]

I really enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@Zombiesnyder13]

This guy is gonna win an Oscar someday

[@pedrobuson5880]

Please, Jordan Cronenweth and Christopher Doyle! Amazing work, thanks for all the insight on these cinematographers (and it's been a while, but congratulations on the review of the sony a7s ii, helped me a lot!)

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you!

[@bbiieeddrroonnkkaa]

Great channel, I can learn a lot about cinematographers, thank you :)

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome!

[@vishaloza7526]

Hi Sareesh ... i have watched almost every videos on cinematographers , i would really love to watch videos An understanding on Indian cinematographers ... Binod pradhan , Santosh Shivan, Anil mehta , V manikandan , Pc Sreeram ,Sudeep Chattergee , Aveek Mukhopadhya , Rajeev Ravi and there are many more .... it will be great if you create a video on this.

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@JohannesMariaRunge]

Great, Thanks!

[@wolfcrow]

+Johannes Runge You're welcome!

[@fatnoodle5057]

Greg Tolland!!! his work is way ahead of that time.

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@ejazmehedi]

Thank you so very much for this! Very informative and now I'll most definitely look into all of his works to learn more about him! Could you kindly think of making another for Adam Arkapaw? He shot : LORE, THE SNOWTOWN MURDERS,TOP OF THE LAKE ,TRUE DETECTIVE SEASON 1, MACBETH , ASSASSINS CREED, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, etc.

[@wolfcrow]

You're welcome! Sure, he's on the list!

[@mlarraya]

Great video. Very impressive. I am a big fan of dp Yorick Le Saux, (I am love, Carlos, Only lovers left alive) Would love to see a video by you about him. Congrats!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks, I'll add him to the list!

[@arambaali]

Jesus, you really are knowledgeable. You're a gift for filmmakers. :) About the footage, why is it “illegal?” Doesn't it fall under fair use? Or you just don't want to deal with the hassle that is KZbin?

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you for the kind words. It is fair use. Ripping DVDs is illegal...not to mention expensive.

[@nightwingsurfer]

I would have liked to know more about his career path. It sounded very interesting. thanks for the video.

[@wolfcrow]

It is interesting! You'll find it online if you search for it.

[@devondonis8540]

good stuff

[@oscarstegland]

Please do Seamus McGarvey ASAP! Quickly becoming one of my favorites

[@julienrouvier31]

Very interesting video! Is the shot at 6:09 from Let the Right One In?

[@TetraVaalBioSecurity]

Julien Rouvier it is.

[@letsgetliminal]

subbed!

[@francescolisboa903]

"Robby Müller" from Paris, Texas a hunge influence on Hoyte Van Hoytema

[@wolfcrow]

Sure!

[@jonathanpeck6112]

Could you please do the cinematography of Newton Thomas Sigel ?

[@marnixvanweringh89]

Nice episode again. Very nice to learn about a dop who is into realism. How about Igor Martinovic from House of Cards as an episode?

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks! Sure, I'll add him to the list.

[@AEROMAN93G]

what focal length he use on interstellar?

[@Eleuterio84]

Great content on your channel! So good to watch good analysis like that! Could you please analyse some stil frame shots from the cinematogrphers or from some movies? Constantly footages after footages becomes a bit tiring(my humble opnion), however your knowledge is essential! Cheers!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@helvetikum]

So many terms, man. I wish I knew half of them.

[@noahmleach]

Where are you obtaining some of these more technical facts? Not the visual styles of the cinematographers but the actual details how how they light? Great work!

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks! Sources are all public, just one (or a million) Google searches away! Also can't recommend a membership to the ASC enough.

[@leonardocorvino1421]

John Alcott is a must!

[@byronkleoyang]

Awesome essay. Always refreshing and insightful when watching your videos. If I may, I'd like to add Christopher Doyle to the list. ;-)

[@wolfcrow]

Thank you! He's on the list!

[@oliversmith797]

I'd love to see a video on Lance Acord if you can get around to it!

[@wolfcrow]

I'll add him to the list!

[@thedevmehta]

What film is the shot from at 3:17?

[@999yuiop]

Hi wolfcrow, I am a beginner cinematographer/filmmaker and I am thinking about getting a bolex d16 because I really like the "filmic" look of the camera. Are there other options for me out there besides this? Also could you recommend any books out there for beginners in cinematography? thanks in advanced, great video btw

[@HenrikvonMartensHvM]

The BMPCC seems to be very close in terms of color, it's cheaper too. The Bolex has better audio capabilities. I can recommend checking out Mattias Burlings comparison videos...

[@999yuiop]

+Henrik von Martens Thanks!

[@wolfcrow]

+Johnny Glockem I have a few suggestions on the blog, check it out!

[@nicholascorrea2997]

I would be very pleased with video about Sven Nykvist, it would be magnificent. And by the way, who is your personal favorite cinematographer today?

[@wolfcrow]

There's a clue in my series somewhere on who my favorite is!

[@timespace.productions7513]

I was hoping you'd cover the godfather of cinematography, John Alton. They still teach his fundamentals, & his results rival Gregg Toland. Thanks!

[@wolfcrow]

Sure I'll add him to the list!

[@priyanshjig]

4:30 please tell me the movie name🙏

[@ravikavi1575]

Can you please make cinematography breakup of Dunkirk.

[@andrejverzola5423]

amazing videos man! rodrigo prieto should be next i think

[@wolfcrow]

+Andrey Verzola Thanks!

[@andreaprodan5616]

Tonino Delli Colli? Giuseppe 'Peppino' Rotunno??

[@nicholasxlee]

Christopher Doyle!!

[@pavillion21]

do Andrew Lesnie..

[@tomistenqvist1311]

I watched Spectre last night it was an amazing movie but did anyone else notice horrible lens breathing on some focus pulls? Especially with the scene where Bond has stolen the car from the garage and the camera focuses from Q's reaction to the bottle of champagne that Bond left behind.

[@AlexAceves1994]

Douglas Slocombe, Bill Pope and Don Burgess please?

[@benjaminherrera3518]

Nestor Almendros please! Thank you for this amazing analysis.

[@benjaminherrera3518]

And Harris Savides to.

[@wolfcrow]

Both on the list!

[@nathanshipley8314]

Robert Elswit!!!!!

[@aiglv]

Sven Nykvist or Bruno Delbonnel.

[@Tamoltion]

Robert Elswit!!

[@70mmdp]

How about Charles Lang, Jr. 18 Academy Award nominations between 1930 and 1972.

[@wolfcrow]

Nice!

[@TreW9808]

please do wally pfister or claudio miranda

[@wolfcrow]

+martrese14 Sure!

[@georgwachberg1242]

f^ck me these videos are great.

[@wolfcrow]

Thanks!

[@victorcyf]

please do Mark Lee Ping Bing =)

[@MonsieurJADIS]

[@StijnDeRyck]

Benoit Debie would give for an interesting overview.

[@zacharyantle7940]

You must Andre Turpin!!! :3

[@wolfcrow]

I'll add him to the list.

[@UGNishiyama]

DANNY COHEN

[@travisjones7169]

Jack Cardiff or Steven Soderbergh!

[@oscarjimenez3548]

adam arkapaw john toll robert elswit

[@TylerCinema]

I think he shot Interstellar on 70mm Film?

[@sergeiegorkin7873]

Tyler Thorne he did

[@nicolaslabra2225]

imcx 70mm is a showing format, the recording format is 65

[@ThroughLensStudios]

I guess Hoyte will OSCAR this year for DUNKIRK - what say you?

[@MystikalScopeProductions]

ThroughLens Studios not if Deakins has anything to say about that

[@SergiMedina]

Interesting video, but you are wrong about the shadows. It's not he likes to leave the blacks so extremely lifted there's only gray, because most of the shots have proper contrast (_Dunkirk,_ for example, with deep, rich blacks. Beautiful). He seems to do that just on some shots, and it can't be to keep more detail in the shadows, because that's definitely not the way at all (again, _Dunkirk,_ plenty of detail with good black levels)! I don't really know the reason, but it just looks ugly and uncomfortable to watch (hello, Marvel). Fortunately, most of the remaining shots (those with correct exposure/grading) are beautiful.

[@zacharyhunsinger4942]

Caleb Deschanel??????

[@Elusive_Pete]

Even the guy's name sounds like a camera.

[@AdrianManzo]

PLEASE ANDREW LESNIE

[@seanclouddalisay3596]

nolan perfectionist? u kidding right? hahahah

[@LordJagd]

Robert Elswit!! (But I really just wanna hear you talk about his PTA collaborations lol)

[@a-g3003]

PTA = Boss.

[@andreaprodan5616]

Tonino Delli Colli? Giuseppe 'Peppino' Rotunno??