One of the titans in the gimbal industry has released a new smartphone gimbal with a twist. As the adoption of smartphones into higher-end photography and videography continues, this could be a powerful tool.
Plugins for software were once considered something of a gimmick, but are now closer to a staple. Here are some of the best plugins for Final Cut Pro X that might just increase the quality of your video productions.
If you're striving to create more interesting and unique shots in-camera, one solution might be to use some of the creative filters on the market today. Here's how one videographer found using some and the results that came of it.
Being a creative professional, in my experience, is about harnessing this constant need to create. It’s almost as if there’s a little creature inside which comes up with little ideas and if I don’t act on at least some of them, they’ll bubble over and die — leaving behind awful regret and emptiness.
The cinemagraph was introduced over 10 years ago when I was in college. It offered an amazing new set of creative possibilities, and world-class artists were creating mind-blowing moving still images. Where did they go?
After a long day of shooting, thought I would take a moment to write a short piece about one of the most important tools in my kit.
A lot of video productions use incredible arsenals of gear — even YouTubers seem to be shooting with tens of thousands of dollars of kit — but it's no secret that isn't necessary. Here are some tips for shooting videos with little to no money.
Cameras in mobile phones continue to surprise and impress with every passing year. Here is a direct comparison of four of the most desirable phones right now when it comes to shooting video, with some interesting results.
A master color grader can take forgettable footage and make it memorable; they can set the mood and feel of a scene, add or remove drama, and introduce themes. So, if you're a videographer, it's a great skill to work on.
I recently shot some cooking tutorials. They were budget-friendly, easy to follow, and there were 50 of them. Here’s how we did it.
While gimbals are a staple of videography these days, in-camera image stabilization (IBIS) has improved to a level that with a bit of know-how, you can get great shots handheld too. Here are ten different styles of shots you can create without a gimbal.
Website building platform, Format, has added a new video hosting tool that will appeal to creators who want to showcase their videos and films in the best possible light.
The Sony a1 is probably the most extreme camera we have seen so far, with one of its most notable features being that insane 30 fps continuous burst rate. While the camera also has some equally impressive video features to accompany its photo capabilities, it is more fun to see just how truly fast that aforementioned burst rate is by shooting video using it.
Brandon Li has a talent for combining limited gear with creativity to produce film projects that seem to have a much higher production value. In this quick video, Li shows some BTS clips of how he finds his subjects and with patience gets better end results.
Car chase scenes in movies have come a long way since the early days of cinema. Let's dive into how things have changed from Buster Keaton movies, through the rear projection era, right up to modern purpose-built rigs for complex scenes in today's blockbusters.
Sony has made some serious moves in the video sector of our industry, with some heavy-hitters both as mirrorless, hybrid bodies, and standalone cinema cameras. But where does the FX3 stand?
The Canon EOS R5 and Sony a1 are the talk of the town right now, with their 8K video capabilities turning a lot of heads. If you are wondering which one is right for your own work, check out this great video review that takes a deep look at the video capabilities of both cameras.
B-roll can make or break a video production. Although it seems simple to create video to fill the gaps, it certainly shouldn't be filler. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how to create great, cinematic-looking b-roll.
In 2017 Joss Wheadon's Justice League movie was released and for the most part, reviews weren't great. The movie seemed like a bad mishmash of conflicting ideas and tones, which lead it to be panned critically and it was also a financial disappointment. After years of campaigning, Zack Snyder's original vision is here and it feels like a different movie.
As more and more cameras are released, older cameras continue to fall in value despite the chasm between spec sheets shrinking. But how does a 14-year-old RED camera fare today?
There is an almost infinite variety of camera angles, shots, and movements at your disposal to realize your creative visions, and the more you know, the better your work can be. This fantastic video will show you examples of 100 essential angles, shots, and movements.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC is an incredibly powerful video editing suite with a lot of nuance. Here are 11 great tips and tricks for getting the most out of the software in your next project.
The Apple MacBook Pro M1 has shown impressive results. With the latest round of software optimizations for the M1 processor, it seemed to be unbeatable. However, Gigabyte is demonstrating incredible results. The combination of Intel and Nvidia seems to be offering better performance than a top-spec Apple MacBook Pro M1.
Filmmakers have a veritable feast of cameras these days and Blackmagic are adding to it with their impressive new 6K-capable body.
This video takes you through the process of piecing together a documentary or any video with a story. You'll see the workflow, how the edit is put in a workable space, and how you can recycle certain parts of the shots you captured to strengthen the narrative.
Whether you’re a photographer or videographer, you know the difference lighting can make in creating a compelling shot. While there are dozens of tools and techniques you can leverage in your next shoot, the Godox TL60 tube light might offer the creative possibilities you’re looking for, particularly for video work. Want to see what makes it so special?
YouTube filmmaking has become more common and easier nowadays, but can you make your videos stand out by making them more “cinematic?”
Though many shots are properly exposed from corner to corner, there are times where you want a darker scene, particularly if you're simulating nighttime. Here are five techniques for doing just that.
Canon has been releasing some superb cameras in the last year, with lots of options for videographers. Two of the chief contenders are being pitted against one another here to see which is the best for video purposes.
While smartphone manufacturers seem intent on making smartphone gimbals redundant, there are a number of excellent products on the market, and the AOCHUAN Smart XR from PERGEAR offers stiff competition given its aggressive pricing.
B-roll can feel a bit like a means to an end; a way of linking shots because you have to, but it's an art in itself. Here is a useful comparison of what a beginner might do and what a professional might do when they need the same b-roll.
One of the most popular visual effects used in music videos at the moment is a reimagining of one of the more unusual tools in a cinematographer's bag. While you wouldn't be able to create the intended use of it in post, you can mimic the creative version rather easily.
The power of modern phones when it comes to taking images and videos has been growing at an alarming rate. This short film, made for Apple, showcases just how professional a production can look.
I recently filmed a quick dance music video with famous dancer Marquese Scott. Here's how I pulled it off.
Markquese was planning to come to Charleston and dance for a promo video for my product Hat Mask Clips. While he was here, I wanted to take full advantage of him. I thought it would be fun to film an additional video for his fans.
Soon you'll be able to capture footage and have it automatically transferred to a cloud-based platform where editors and production teams can get working on it. I remember the 56k Modem sound and the slow downloading of a YouTube video I wanted to watch. Back then I thought YouTube was ridiculous. Who would ever use it and actually wait for a video to download?
Filmmakers, YouTubers, and other content creators received a big win recently when a D.C. Federal Judge ruled that the permit and fee requirements applying to commercial filming are unconstitutional. Still photography rules remain unchanged, although they weren't as restrictive as the filming rules.
If, like me, you love cinematography, you probably have a few favorites in mind when you think of the term. But even the most dedicated film buff is unlikely to have seen everything on this list.
Getting exposure right can seem simple, but it's even easier to get it slightly wrong. While being marginally overexposed or underexposed can be rescued, having blown out highlights or completely black shadows means the details will be unrecoverable. Here are four ways to monitor exposure properly on location.
A neutral density filter has probably found its way into almost every photographer’s bag at some point. Variable ND filters can make the process of working with ND filters much simpler in certain situations. Today, we’ll look at a quality, and somewhat different, option from Haida, the NanoPro Interchangeable Magnetic Variable ND.
The technology inside cameras is growing at an impressive rate and even the older technology has been improved and refined to near-unthinkable levels. One such area is in-camera image stabilization (IBIS) to the point where it can rival a gimbal in certain situations. But just how many situations can modern IBIS compete with a gimbal?
Anamorphic lenses have been a staple of cinema for the best part of 70 years, and they're still as desirable today as they have always been. But how did they come about, what makes them special, and why do people still use them?
With color being one of the most important aspects of any videographers work, it is something worth learning. And it's so much more than just a preset or Look-up Table (LUT).
If you want a moody color grade for your next video or some footage you've shot, look no further; here's a guide for Adobe Premiere Pro using the Lumetri Color tool.
Cinematography and photography have some areas of crossover, and one such area is composition. Here are five ideas for how to angle your next shoot that might make all the difference
Music videos have been some of the most condensed displays of cinematic creativity for decades now, and there is a lot that can be learned. Here is a breakdown of some excellent lighting used in a music video.
With the level of stabilization now featured in most smartphones, you might already have a powerful vlogging tool in your pocket. However, a few add-ons can take your device to the next level, and this rig might be the ultimate iPhone vlogging setup.
In television and film, scenes in cars are a staple and so common you could be fooled into thinking it's easily done and with one technique. Well, that's not the case.
Final Cut Pro X is Apple's video editing software that has been steadily growing in popularity over the years. Here are five of the best plugins you can get for it and examples of what they do.
Color is fundamental to photography and videography, but the way color is used is not always the same across both mediums. It isn't uncommon for videographers to make some common mistakes with their color grading, so here are the ones you ought to avoid.
Often being successful in any creative field is equal parts talent and knowing how to run your business. Yet for a lot of us, we spend the least amount of time educating ourselves on good business practices.