Recent Videography Articles

American Primeval: Behind the Scenes of Netflix' Epic Western Saga

Every movie set has a unit still photographer who is there to capture all the action, both on camera and off. From critical moments in the film’s narrative arc to the flurry of orchestrated activity behind the scenes, this photographer has a front-row seat to the magic of motion picture making.
Adobe Announces Firefly Generative AI Video Model

A videographer must master both the process of shooting and the process of editing to create a compelling final video. During the shooting phase, you capture the scenes necessary to assemble the final project in the editing phase. Once you begin editing, your only option is to work with the footage you captured during shooting. If you neglected to film a particular shot, there is no way to create it later. Today marks a paradigm shift with Adobe's announcement of a Firefly Video Model in public beta, making it possible to create video footage from scratch.

This New Netflix Series Is a Visual Feast and an Inspiration for Photographers

With the convergence of film and television production technology and the willingness of streaming services to fund their own major projects, cinematic epics are now being made for the small screen as well. Blurring the line between movies and TV, this new Netflix series is visually stunning.
The Filmmaking Genius Behind Gladiator's Opening Battle

The opening battle of Gladiator remains a memorable moment in modern cinema. Its combination of layered storytelling, technical precision, and visceral energy still holds its own more than two decades after the film’s release.

Panasonic Announces Four New 4K 60p 10-Bit Professional Camcorders

Panasonic has unveiled four new 4K professional camcorders designed for high-quality video production, broadcasting, and live streaming The AG-CX20, HC-X2100, HC-X1600, and HC-X1200 models combine 4K 60p 10-bit recording with advanced features in a compact and lightweight design, making them suitable for a wide range of users, from solo filmmakers to professional production teams

We Review the Zhiyun Cinepeer Crane 4E

Zhiyun has a wide range of gimbals to choose from, and the new offering is the Cinepeer Crane 4E. In this article, I put the gimbal through its paces and give my opinion as a first-time user.

We Review the Latest Pro Smartphone Stabilizer: Insta360 Flow 2 Pro

As you might be familiar with Insta360’s Flow Pro, the first smartphone gimbal that features Apple DockKit, they have now released a brand-new model, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro, which features a sleek design and even more advanced features. With the rapid growth of AI integration technology, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro has taken the leap to become the next-gen AI-powered smartphone stabilizer, featuring the all-new Deep Track 4.0 that offers advanced tracking capability.

Hollyland Lark M2S Announced: The Ultra-Mini Wireless Microphone

Hollyland has officially unveiled its latest wireless mic solution, the Lark M2S microphone. Tailored for content creators who demand excellent audio quality without compromising convenience or dominating the shot, this sixth-generation Lark Series microphone delivers on multiple fronts. Here’s why this ultra-mini wireless microphone deserves a spot in your production toolkit.

Nikon Z9 Adds Shutter Angle Option For Filmmakers

As press releases go, this one was brief. But short can sometimes be significant, as Nikon announced today a new version of firmware that brings to its mirrorless cameras a staple of the film industry: shutter angle.

Why I Choose the Nikon Z9 Over the Z8 for Video

I read a quote recently that stated, “Buying a Z8 over a Z9 is a no-brainer.” Er, excuse me, may I add my two cents? Or maybe I should say, allow me to weigh in (you’ll get that pun later)…

The Best Single Lens for Travel Filmmaking: 24-70mm

I love prime lenses—they’re always my preference—but I had to travel across Spain recently to make a documentary film and was traveling light. I had to pick my lenses carefully, so I chose the 24-70mm as my main lens. I quickly discovered it was the perfect travel lens.

Thoughts on The FUJIFILM GFX Eterna Filmmaking Camera Development Announcement

This week, Fujifilm announced the development of a new camera designed with filmmakers in mind, the Fujifilm GFX Eterna. The camera builds on Fuji’s GFX line of medium format still cameras but will be focused on video capture and is aimed at independent filmmakers and documentarians.

Affordable Cinema-Style Lenses That Can Help Create Beautiful Visuals

If you're looking at getting into filmmaking or just want to make your videos look cinematic, a lot may hinge on the lens choice, and that can be tricky to resolve. In this video, take a look at a range of lenses that could take your videos to the next level.
Nikon Announces Development Of NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Lens

Nikon, a brand with a long history of quality in photography, continues its growth in the video market today with the development announcement of a new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens with filmmakers in mind.

3 Gimbal Upgrades I Wish I Made Months Ago

For any videographer, getting your equipment setup just right is key to achieving smoother workflows and better-quality shots. Recently, I upgraded my gimbal setup with a few accessories that have made a significant impact on both my shooting experience and footage quality. Looking back, I wish I had invested in these upgrades much sooner.

How Good Is the New Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Action Camera?

If you're in the market for a new action camera for your behind-the-scenes work, or you know, actual action, the new Insta360 might be worth a look. So, in this video, see what it's capable of.
Mobile Creators Rejoice: Lexar’s Go Portable SSD Can Save You Money

If you’re creating content on your iPhone, Apple’s storage pricing can make it very difficult to justify using storage-heavy workflows like ProRes. Lexar’s Go Portable SSD, however, is specially designed to be the perfect external storage pairing for iPhones and other USB-C mobile devices.

What It’s Like to Use an iPod Nano as an Everyday Camcorder

Five years ago, I suggested that Apple get into the dedicated camera game again by turning its long-neglected (and now officially dead) iPod touch into a sweet connected camera. It didn't happen, but apparently there are some folks who appreciate iPod cameras just the way they are.

Tips and Tricks for Discreetly Vlogging in Public

Vlogging is often fraught with peril. Whether that's overcoming your own shyness, or overcoming people on the street uncomfortable with someone overcoming their shyness in a vlog, there are techniques and gear to help minimize issues.

The Advice Film Director Stanley Kubrick Left to All Photographers

You may not have been aware that film director Stanley Kubrick was also a professional photographer, having shot assignments for magazines before he ever made any of his award-winning movies. So what did his photographer’s eye bring to his movies, and what can we learn from his creative process?

Saramonic WiTalk 9 In Use: Production Level Wireless Headsets for Everyone

While the image of a harried producer talking into a wireless headset on a film lot might be a cliche, there’s a good reason why these products exist. Saramonic’s WiTalk 9 series of headsets offer an affordable way to access professional quality wireless communication, ideal for productions, drone operations, or other content creation endeavors where hands-free communication is essential.

How Tripods Can Elevate Your Filmmaking

A tripod might seem basic, but its simplicity is its strength. In an age where drones, gimbals, and cranes dominate, it’s easy to forget the power of keeping your camera still. The composition becomes the star, allowing you to focus on framing and detail. Sometimes, the camera doesn’t need to move to make an impact.

What the Flip Happened to Flip Video Cameras?

If you're a child of the 'aughts, you've probably seen a Flip Video camera at least once in your life. Before cellphone videos were a thing, these bad boys ruled the amateur video circuit with their ease of use and novel design that incorporated a literal flipping USB port on the side. But what happened to these once ubiquitous cameras?

ProGrade Launches More Affordable CFexpress Type A Cards

ProGrade Digital makes a wide range of memory cards, targeting their products at the professional market. While their Iridium line of CFexpress Type A cards have already shown fantastic performance in my hands-on review, the combination of their blazing speed and larger capacities left them with a higher MSRP (although still at a good price per GB, to be clear). With the Gold line, ProGrade is bringing many of the desirable features to a lower pricepoint and capacity.

A Photographer's Transition into the World of Video Production

Entering the world of photography can be challenging enough. The world of video can feel even more daunting! For someone who has solely focused on photography 100% from day one, taking on the challenge of video is a whole new world. Here are the things I learned from creating my video for my work as a photographer without video experience.

Review: Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI – A Game-Changer for Smartphone Filmmakers

As a passionate landscape photographer, I often emphasize that a phone will never fully replace a professional camera. However, in an age where social media dominates and more photos and videos are being captured on personal phones than ever before, it's important to acknowledge the innovations enabling phone users to capture incredible footage and photos. The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is one such innovation worth noting.

Making Movies With a $9 Video Camera

A while back, I tested Amazon's cheapest non-kid camera, a $20 piece of junk that was sold under various scammy names on the online retailer's site. Lowering the bar in ways I didn't think was possible, one filmmaker has decided to challenge himself by using the cheapest camera on the site to make a short film, and this time, it is actually a kids' camera.

Must-Watch Films of 2024

Love movies? This awesome video highlights three exceptional films from the first half of 2024.

4 Essential Video Accessories for Creators on a Budget

It's easier than ever to get started with video, thanks to the great video capabilities of most cameras (and even phones!), but having the right accessories can make a huge difference. Here are some essential accessories every videographer should consider adding to their kit.

Save 95% and get $3,700+ in Video Products

Fstoppers has partnered with 5DayDeal to offer the best video bundle deal of 2024. Included are education, software, and tools from a wide of variety leaders in the industry that will help take your work to the next level. The product list is incredible this year.