Videography

Videography and photography share a foundation — light, composition, optics — but moving images have their own demands around motion, audio, frame rate, and narrative pacing. This section is built for photographers who shoot video or want to start, covering the transition from stills to motion: the gear decisions, the technical differences, and the storytelling skills that make video work compelling rather than just competent.

Does Your Drone Need Filters?

Drones have quickly become a common and important tool for photographers and videographers in many niches. Filters have been a staple for camera users for decades, so could you benefit from filters for your drone?

8 Must-Haves for Making Videos in Your Home Studio

Most YouTubers have set up their home studios bit by bit and learned how to achieve the shots and looks that they want by trial and error. In this video, veteran photographer and YouTuber Becki, of the duo Becki & Chris, shares eight tips that they've learned over the years, and I think they just might help you.

10 Steps for Finding the Perfect Camera Angle

We can learn a lot from experienced filmmakers and cinematographers, and one of their strongest skills is their ability to tell stories. Whether you shoot video or photos, this excellent video tutorial will give you a 10-step process for finding the best, most compelling angle for every shot. 

How a Black Mist Filter Can Make Your Videos More Cinematic

Well, we've made it to the final video in Elia Locardi's eight-part video series on using filters for landscape photography. In this final episode, we will take a look at the new Nisi Black Mist filter set and how it can be used to improve your landscape photos and videos. Make sure you enter the final contest to win a set of your own. 

A Review of the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera for Video Work

Sony's a7 III was one of the most respected hybrid cameras of recent years, and the a7 IV builds on the camera's well-rounded capabilities with a range of new features and improvements that make it an intriguing option for a lot of creatives. This excellent video review takes a look at the video capabilities of the new camera and how they perform in practice. 

'Jockey': Sunrises and Sunsets, Horse Racing Without Horses, and Docu-Style Storytelling

Clint Bentley’s new film, Jockey, is an intense character study that contrasts the ending of a veteran jockey’s career with the ascendance of a younger jockey. Under the watchful eye of director of photographer Adolpho Veloso, the filmmakers use some exciting photography and lighting techniques to complement the strong script and award-winning acting.

10 Pros and Cons of the Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera for Video Work

The Canon EOS R3 is here, and beyond its impressive photography capabilities, it also houses some powerhouse video features. If you have been considering the EOS R3 for your own work and want to be sure it can tackle your needs, check out this helpful video review that tackles 10 pros and cons about Canon's new powerhouse mirrorless camera. 

How We Filmed Elia Locardi's Landscape Mini Series

Over the last few months, we have teamed up with landscape photographer Elia Locardi for a free 8 part video tutorial series on how to improve your landscape photographs using a variety of different NiSi filters. Today we take you behind the scenes on the making of this landscape series and show you some of our favorite gear used in the production. NiSi is also giving away a set of variable ND filters in this week's contest!

5 Cinematic Gimbal Moves for Wedding Videography

The coverage of weddings has grown exponentially with the improvement of technology. Where once wedding videos were a high-end luxury, now they're closer to a staple. So, here are five gimbal moves you can do when shooting a wedding for a polished, pleasing feel.

Using a 4K UHD Projector for Cinematography

As all facets of technology take large, confident strides forward, there are many unintended synergies and applications between them. One example of this, which is still relatively new to being viable, is using a projector as a background for photography and videography.

One of the Most Important Parts of Video Editing

Video editing, as with the editing of photographs, has a lot of nuance to it. In fact, in many ways, it has more than photography as you have to control basic elements like time. In this video, one videographer discusses the element of video editing he believes is the most important.

3 Rare Gimbal Shots That Can Improve Your Videos

Gimbals are now as much of a consumer item as they are a high-end professional one, which means far more videographers are using them. Although stabilized footage is the goal, you can get extra creative with how you use it, and these three techniques can really help you stand out.

Sam Newton Shares His Four Tips to Film Maker Success

Sam Newton made a big impact in the YouTube community when he filmed a music video about how he'll be the next Peter McKinnon. He dropped a lot of names, and since all the big YouTubers watched it, he got mentioned by most of them and therefore got a large following on the platform. This is how he started and his advice for the long game in making films. 

A Lesson on How Spotting Interesting Light Can Improve Your Street Photography

Light makes or breaks most scenes, whether video or stills photography. In many genres, it's controllable and you can set it up how you like it. But with genres that are candid and wild — street photography for instance — you need to be able to identify brief opportunities as scenes and light interact.

How to Balance Color Tones With the Blue and Orange Look

There are many staple looks in cinematography and they are popular for good reason. One is the classic blue or teal and orange, and while it's easy to execute in theory, striking the right balance can be tricky. In this video, go behind the scenes of a video shoot to learn how they balanced everything out.

These Are the Best and Worst Cameras For Video

DSLR cameras with a focus on video don't get enough respect. Often regarded as a less-than-serious tool by professionals, and perhaps too complicated for photographers, they occupy an interesting but important middle-ground for content creators. So which brand is doing this genre right?

$369 Gimbal Versus $10,000 Stabilizer Rig

The price disparity between entry-level and high-end equipment in photography and videography is larger than every, and in many ways, that makes comparing them more interesting. In this video, one videographer shoots b-roll with a cheap smartphone gimbal and an expensive stabilizer rig to see just how much difference there is.

Where Did the Dutch Angle Come From?

Few camera shots are more readily recognizable than the Dutch angle (sometimes known as the Dutch tilt or canted angle), with its jarring tilt capturing the viewer's attention instantly. Where did this strange shot come from, and why do filmmakers use it? This interesting video takes a look at the history of the Dutch angle and its usage in cinema.

We Review the H&Y Revoring: A Look at Its Design, Practical Applications, and Limitations

What exactly can the H&Y Revoring do and how does it work? This unique type of filter from H&Y has definitely turned a lot of heads due to its unique design and how it solves a problem that generations of photographers (who use filters) have had for a while. In this review let’s check out how the H&Y Revoring works, what are its limitations, and what instances is it useful in. 

How to Get Started With Video as a Photographer

The demand for video is always increasing, and photographers who are already skilled with a camera are in a natural position to learn how to shoot video and add it to their services. If you are wondering how to get started with video work, this excellent video tutorial will give you some hopeful advice to start on your way. 

Zhiyun’s Crane-M3: An All-in-One Gimbal With Unique Features

Zhiyun is no stranger to interesting camera stabilization options, with past products featuring innovative designs that put a twist on the traditional “stabilized stick” form factor of gimbals. Their latest launch, the Crane-M3, brings a number of firsts to the Crane lineup and just might reinvent how content creators approach rigging up a video setup.

Hands-On With the IRIX 30mm T1.5 Cine Lens

IRIX has developed a reputation for creating affordable but excellent cine lenses. Fleshing out their set of focal lengths, IRIX has now released the 30mm T1.5, but how good is it?

Cinematographer Ranks Cameras in a Tier List From Best to Worst

One cinematographer takes the majority of commonly used, video-centric or cinema cameras, and assembles them in a tier list from "God Mode" (of which there is only one), to "The group that shall not be named". Do you agree with the rankings?

How One Photographer Designed and Built His Own Unique Vlogging Camera

In 2019, a photographer from San Francisco designed, built, and launched one of the most innovative and bizarre cameras of its kind: the Idolcam. While GoPro and DJI rely on sensor stablization and digital wizardry to create smooth footage, Idolcam does something completely different.

Why You Should Consider Adding Video to Your Services

There is no doubt that the demand for video is steadily increasing, but many of us who have shot exclusively stills for a long time may be reluctant to learn another process and add it to our list of services. If you have been considering expanding your capabilities to include video, this excellent video essay discusses why it could be a great choice for your bottom line. 

How to Make a Boring Location Look Cinematic

There will come a time — likely more than one — where you have to shoot in a dull location. While this can be disheartening, it's manageable if you know how to make it look more appealing. In this video, see behind-the-scenes of a shoot and how one cinematographer transforms any space.

5 Easy but Creative Video Tricks With the DJI ACTION 2

Action cameras revolutionized videography in many ways, opening up possibilities for shots that would have previously been somewhere between difficult and impossible. In this video, learn five quick and easy video tricks that can result in some beautifully creative shots.

How Good Is the DJI Ronin 4D?

DJI's newest offering has pricked up a lot of industry ears, with videographers and filmmakers at the front of the pack. On paper it seems superb, so how does it feel to shoot with. Here's one videographer's review.

5 of the Best Cameras for Filmmaking Under $1,000

Filmmaking at a decent level has been opened up to the masses over the last decade or so, with cameras that boast great video specs being available at all price points. This video breaks down one filmmaker's top five cameras for filmmaking that are under $1,000.

We Are Lady Parts: A New Way to Tell Stories About Bands

We Are Lady Parts, the story of an all-Muslim-female punk band in London, is a groundbreaking collaboration between creator Nida Manzoor and cinematographer Diana Olifirova. Not only is the plot compelling and refreshing, but Olifirova and Manzoor also use a variety of filmmaking techniques to develop character, move the story along, and visually excite their audience. I had a chance to speak with Olifirova about putting Manzoor’s project on screen.

Would You Film Wedding Videos in Super 8?

The Super 8 motion picture film format came out in 1965, and obviously, technology has advanced quite a bit since then. Still, though, there is something to be said for nostalgia, particularly when capturing emotional moments like a wedding. So, should you add it to your services list? This interesting video discusses the idea. 

How to Set Up Sony Cameras for Great Looking Slow Motion Video

Slow motion is one of the most common and powerful techniques in videography, but it has a few elements to it that can be tricky to get right without some prior knowledge. In this video, get a brilliant beginner's tutorial on how to get your Sony camera setup for slow motion footage.

A Look at Cinematic Mode on the New iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 is here, and it brings with it a bevy of improvements and new features, particularly in the camera department. One of the most exciting new capabilities is Cinematic mode, which allows filmmakers to shoot footage with shallow depth of field and focus pulls, and this great video shows off what it is capable of. 

The Guilty: Making Movies With Intention in the Time of COVID

Intention in filmmaking has the potential to elevate movies. As a photographer, watching a movie with thoughtful cinematography is my favorite way to pass a Friday night. Maz Makhani’s work on The Guilty, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Antoine Fuqua, is an example of realizing this potential.