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.

Five Storytelling Tools for High-Impact Videography

One of the earliest sayings I adopted was to “never work with children.” In this video, Ron Taylor of Shred Yard absolutely demolishes that advice to create a high-energy, professional-quality mountain biking video in collaboration with his son.

How to Set Up a 10-Bit External Color Grading Monitor With an iMac or MacBook

If you are looking for a way to output a 10 \-bit video signal from an iMac or a MacBook Pro, then you are in luck. In this article, you will discover everything you need to know to bypass Apple’s color management system and send a clean video signal using the Blackmagic Decklink Mini Monitor 4K.

How Big of an Issue Is the Canon EOS R5's Overheating in the Real World?

When the Canon EOS R5 was first announced, one of its marquee features was its 8K raw video, but videographers quickly ran into issues with the camera overheating when recording in both 8K and 4K, leading some to question just how useful the camera actually is for video work. How much is this truly an issue in real-world usage, though? This excellent video review features a cinematographer and director discussing how the camera performs in specific modes after months of usage. 

How to Get Perfect Exposure and Accurate Color in Videos

If you have ever struggled to get perfect exposure with accurate colors in your videos, then you are not alone. But with the help of the X-Rite ColorChecker Video and DaVinci Resolve 17, you will be able to create perfect-looking videos in a fraction of the time.

How To Get the Look of the Netflix Show DARK Using DaVinci Resolve 16

The amount of high-end television and film on display in recent years is unparalleled. One show that got a lot of attention is the drama mystery, DARK after it was added to Netflix. Its acting and plot are both brilliant, but the cinematography is utterly superb.

Fstoppers Reviews the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro ISO Live Streaming HDMI Switcher

The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini is one of the best and easiest ways to do more than just stream multiple cameras, and at first, it might seem like an expensive gadget for most photographers. But this last year has shown us a lot of businesses can succeed remotely and even after things return to some level of normalcy a few things are probably going to stay that way. 

Sony a7S III Versus Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro

In this article, you will discover the key differences between two very popular cameras with video shooters, the Sony a7S III and the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro. Check out the article to decide which one of these video workhorses is the right one for you.

5 Affordable Tools That Will Make Your Filmmaking Lives Easier

If you're starting out in photography or videography, it feels as if there are unlimited items you need, which is not the case. However, there are some less expensive tools that can aid in your production and make a bigger difference than their cost implies.

Drone Crashes Into Icelandic Volcano Capturing Its Own Incredible Demise

There are few videos I have clicked on faster than a drone filming itself crashing into a volcano in Iceland. This video shows a DJI first-person view drone as it records the rivers of lava flowing out of Fagradalsfjall before plummeting into a fiery death, all in glorious 4K.

Domestic Cacaphony: A Frank Lee Film

Frank Lee blends mundane domestic visuals against the backdrop of equally repetitive sounds to create not mere actuality, but reality.

Bigger Is Better: We Review PNY’s PRO Elite MicroSD Cards

While the choice of a memory card might seem simple if you normally just grab whatever’s on sale, there are a number of reasons to reconsider that method. The latest generation of cards offer faster speeds and larger capacities at better price points. Whether you’re looking to equip your newest action cam or drone, PNY’s Pro Elite MicroSD card is a great choice.

Secrets To Getting the Orange and Teal Look in Your Videos.

It’s no secret that the orange and teal look is popular in movies and photos but getting that look without using LUTs, can seem like a mystery. Unless of course, you know exactly what steps to take in post-production. In this article, you’ll discover the secrets to getting the orange and teal look.

Streamline Your Video Recording Setup With an 'All-in-One Studio Stand'

When the pandemic started, as a professor I had a plan to record all of my lectures in a professional-style studio setup with proper mics, lighting, background, etc. While it was mostly kids and life that got in the way of doing it that way, a huge factor was also the complexity of setting up all the necessary equipment to make it happen.

A Hands-on Look at the SIRUI 75mm f/1.8 Anamorphic Lens

There is a cult following of anamorphic lenses, but there is also a lot of people who enjoy the aesthetic without knowing exactly what causes those wild flares and oval bokeh. Here's a look at the newest addition from SIRUI.

Artlist Walks Us Through Their Advert

When you see an advert on YouTube, it either has to be gripping and interesting for you to continue watching, or it's clicked through. Artlist has a strong campaign, and they made a video explaining the process of shooting one of these ads. 

Fstoppers Reviews Haida’s NanoPro Mist Black Filter: Softer Can Be Better

While many reviews look at how sharp a lens can be, for this review, we’ll be looking at a filter that does the opposite. Haida's NanoPro Mist filter is actually designed to add a soft glow, while still keeping fine details. Now, before you think about the JCPenney portrait studio shots of the past decades, this filter is subtler. Haida’s NanoPro Mist filter is instead designed to diffuse the highlights and soften the overall contrast, bringing the filmic characteristic of halation to digital. Does it live up to the task?

How To Make Money on YouTube in 2021

Making money doing what you love is the dream of most people. For photographers and videographers, there are multiple paths to make that happen, and one of them is developing a revenue stream on YouTube.

She Dies Tomorrow: An Interview With Cinematographer Jay Keitel

She Dies Tomorrow has been celebrated for its unsettling sensibilities and unorthodox filmmaking techniques. Independent Spirit Award-nominated cinematographer Jay Keitel's work on the film is one of the main factors in the film's moody success. I recently had the chance to ask Keitel a series of questions about his approach to filmmaking on She Dies Tomorrow. 

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro: A Review You Need to See!

If you are looking for your first cinema camera or thinking of upgrading your current rig there are tons of options out there but if you are looking for the best bang for your buck. Then you will want to make sure you read this Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro review.

Some of the Best Plugins for Final Cut Pro X

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.

Creating Unusual In-Camera Effects Using Creative Filters

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.

Origin: Maintaining Photographic Style Across Genres

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.

What Happened to the Cinemagraph?

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?  

How To Create Videos With Little or No Money

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.

7 Creative Color Grading Tricks for Adobe Premiere Pro CC

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.

Take a Tour of My Cooking Shoot

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.

10 Handheld Moves To Give You Great Shots Without a Gimbal

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.

The Sony a1 Is So Fast That You Can Make a Movie From Still Image Bursts

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. 

Tips for Shooting Run and Gun Street Videography

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.

Evolution of Car Chase Scenes in Movies

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.

Comparing 8K Video on the Canon EOS R5 and Sony a1

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. 

How To Create Cinematic, Travel-Style B-Roll

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.

The Snyder Cut Versus Justice League: How Editing Can Change Everything

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. 

Buying a RED Cinema Camera for Under $2,000

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?

100 Essential Camera Angles, Shots, and Movements

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. 

This Windows Laptop Challenges the Speed of Apple's M1 MacBook Pros

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.