How to Get Cinematic Results From Your Gimbal

Along with improvements in resolution and dynamic range, one of the biggest changes witnessed in the world of videography in recent years is how easy it has become to add movement to a shot. A gimbal can open a world of possibilities, and this short video gives an excellent introduction.

A few aesthetics passed over from Hollywood give us a feeling that we’re watching something artistic and high quality: one is lots of differential focus (sharp foreground object, pleasantly blurry background). A second is subtle camera movements that, until recently, were the domain of camera crews and significantly larger budgets. This is where the gimbal comes in.

Hybrid shooter Jason Vong spends a lot of time on the road and loves to travel light. Here, he puts together a neat summary of what effects can be achieved in your filmmaking to give it a slightly more professional touch. With a gimbal, this can all be achieved with a single lightweight piece of gear that’s admittedly a lot more expensive than a top handle or an entry-level tripod, but it's still not going to break the bank.

Helpfully, Vong has included the lens choice, the camera's focusing mode, and the gimbal mode to give you some shortcuts for getting started. If you've any further tips, be sure to leave them in the comments below.