Recent Videography Articles

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.

Could Wiral LITE Be a Videographer and Vlogger's Dream?

The Wiral LITE is a portable cable cam kit. It’s small, lightweight, versatile, affordable, and strong enough to carry my mirrorless camera and pro lens. This may be a videographer’s dream.

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.

10 Cameras That Changed Filmmaking Forever

The sheer number of new cameras in the last few decades is staggering, but even so, there are still standout performers that either set the pace or changed the game completely. This video will go through the top 10 and why they had such a profound impact on the industry.

Edit Video Faster With These 10 Tips

Editing video can be a cumbersome and drawn-out task depending on the type of shoot. However, there are always ways to smooth out and streamline your workflow that can make a world of difference. Here are 10 tips from a professional filmmaker.

Could This Tiny Device Completely Replace Your Gimbal?

Back in 2015, a Kickstarter campaign appeared for a curious plastic box that attaches to your camera’s hot shoe and allows you to stabilize footage in post so successfully that it replicates the feel of a gimbal. How good is the SteadXP, and could it replace your DJI Ronin?

The Faster and More Accurate Way to Zoom in Adobe Premiere Pro

Whether you're a videographer or not, you'll likely find yourself having to use a video editor at one point or another. If you think that is or will be true for you, here is an incredible tip for one of the key functions in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Fstoppers Reviews the Hollyland LARK 150 Wireless Microphone System

I have slowly been making my way into the video realm and have quickly realized that I need an easy-to-use audio setup for filming on location. But since I mostly shoot photos, I didn’t want to take up a ton of room in my bag. After some research, the Hollyland LARK 150 checked all the boxes, but how does it hold up in real-world use?

13 Tricks to Master Your Gimbal

Consumer-level gimbals have changed the quality of videography for smaller productions for the better. Now, everyone from indie film enthusiasts to vloggers can have smooth, dynamic footage in their work. However, using a gimbal is more of a skill than it might first seem.

We Review the Zeapon Micro 2 Motorized Slider: This Might Be the Best Compact Slider You Can Buy

Zeapon Sliders are relatively new to the market. The original Zeapon slider proved to be an interesting and popular option; however, it wasn't without its flaws. Since its release, the company has worked hard to produce something more stable and capable, and we now have the Zeapon micro 2 motorized sliders. This new slider could be the best one on the market.

How to Shoot Cinematic Guided Tours for Real Estate

Real estate photography can be a great way of getting started in architectural photography, and depending on where you're located, it could be a lucrative option for someone looking to become a professional. But if you really want to get paid good money for real estate work, then you need to consider offering video packages to your clients too.

Is Unreal Engine the Future of Filmmaking?

The short answer is "yes", and it has already proven affordable and successful in a wide range of fields and production sizes. With the rise of virtual models and 3D rendered product catalogs, and real-time rendering, I think the real question is how far this technology will impact commercial photography and videography as a whole.

How to Become a Better Filmmaker

There is more demand for video than ever before and by an incredible margin. That demand, in combination with the plethora of new tools and gadgets for creating videos, has led to some of the fundamentals getting lost in the weeds. In this video, one filmmaker discusses how taking things back to basics can benefit your work.

Behind the Scenes of a Shoot for a Commercial Using Only Natural Light

Shooting a commercial is a difficult task at the best of times, but to do so only utilizing natural light, is even trickier. In this video, go behind the scenes of the shoot as Eric Floberg walks you through settings, equipment, and considerations to get to the professional final result.

5 Tips for Making YouTube Videos Faster

Creating video content can be so time-consuming that it is off-putting for people starting out on platforms like YouTube. In this video, and experienced videographer and YouTuber, Sidney Diongzon, goes through five tips to help speed up and smooth out your workflow.

What It Looks Like to Shoot an Entire Short Film 100 Feet Underwater

The process from concept to actually shooting a short film can have a lot of moving parts that quickly balloon the overall size of a project. Unforeseen problems will inevitably arise, budgets, schedules, and resources, all putting stress on the crew. Now, imagine choosing to shoot the entire film underwater and at times at a depth of 100 feet. This is exactly what Josiah Gordan envisioned for his film "Angelita."

Universal Music Group Seemingly Thinks It Owns the Copyright for the Moon

Universal Music Group has bizarrely started to copyright strike videos that contain the Moon. You know, the huge celestial object that sits in the sky and is visible to almost anyone — that moon. Copyright strikes from UMG have essentially become a meme in the last decades; however, this one definitely takes the cake.

How to Give Your Videos a Filmic Look With Color Grading

There are many ways to edit your videos and images, but one lasting method is in fact just to mimic the past. In this video, watch how one videographer color grades his work to get that vintage feel without sacrificing quality.