Cinematography

The place to discuss, share content and offer advice and tips on all things lighting, framing, cameras, lenses and technique

Abidoye Ezekiel
Break Down your Storyboard Like A DP Would

Storyboard isn’t just for animation — it’s a cinematography tool.

In this frame, I focused on:

• Camera angle to create tension

• Framing to guide attention

• Movement planning before shooting

Planning shots like this makes execution much easier on set.

I enjoy collaborating with DPs and directors to pre-...

Expand post

Liked by Rakesh Malik and one other

Lindsay Thompson
NAB 2026 Opens Tomorrow -- What Cinematographers Should Know

NAB 2026 opens tomorrow in Las Vegas and runs through April 22. For anyone who follows gear, technology, and production trends, this is the week when a lot of announcements land.

On the cinematography side, CineCentral sessions this year include a talk by Roberto Schaefer ASC, panels on exposure and...

Expand post

Ashley Renée Smith

Lindsay Thompson, this is such a great overview, NAB always feels like a pulse check on where the industry is heading.

My husband actually used to attend every year, but I’ve never had the pleasure of...

Expand comment
Lindsay Thompson

Ashley Renée Smith Thank you -- that is a great way to put it, a pulse check is exactly what it is. Your husband has good taste in conferences.

I am not making the trip this year, but I will definitely...

Expand comment
8 MM to borrow or rent cheap

my 8mm seems to have takin a crapola. Shotting on 16 this weekend (25-26th) but a few shots on 8. If anybody in LA is feeling generous and wants to loan me a really great working 8 I'd hug you for eternity.

Thanks

Laura Hammer
When Science and Cinema Point in the Same Direction: The Cinematography of PROJECT HAIL MARY

Few films in recent memory have demanded as much scientific rigor from their cinematography as PROJECT HAIL MARY, and director of photography Greig Fraser rose to that challenge with a combination of old-school technique and unexpected ingenuity. To recreate the sun's alien appearance from deep spac...

Expand post

Ashley Renée Smith

Laura Hammer Greig Fraser’s approach here is exactly why his work stands out so much to me. I absolutely adore his cinematography, and this is such a perfect example of how intentional and thoughtful...

Expand comment
Michael Fitzer, Mfa
Interview

It was fun being interviewed by the Palm Springs Screenplay Awards for being a finalist. There's a little in there about being a DP.

Read on...

https://www.palmspringsscreenplayawards.com/mike-fitzer-interview.html#/...

Expand post

Mike Fitzer
Mike Fitzer
WRITTEN INTERVIEW WITH MIKE FITZER THE WINNER OF THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Ashley Renée Smith

Congratulations, Michael Fitzer, Mfa! So happy for you, my friend!

Amanda Toney
What cinematographer inspires you?

I’m watching the Netflix Nordic series DETECTIVE HOLE starring Joel Kinnaman and I have to say the cinematography on this show is unreal.

Yesudas Kadaviparambil Joseph

Diz Sharpe ,for Bourne Ultimatum Window Crashing Scene ,he nailed it

Jack Teague

I've got a list, Alice Brooks, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ari Wegner, Rachel Morrison, Dan Lautsen, Haris Zambarloukos, Stuart Howell. There's probably more that I can't think of at the moment.

Maeve ThunderChild

I've got two of them & others on my list too, Jack Teague !

Mark Furney

Vilmos Zsigmond (favorite: McCabe & Mrs. Miller)

Andrzej Bartkowiak (favorite: The Verdict. Andrzej’s ability to shoot interior scenes in a stunningly beautiful manner is amazing. Some of the interior...

Expand comment
Amanda Toney

I'm loving all of your responses here. I just watched Crime 101 - several of you brought it up, I agree - that was a beautiful film. (off topic - reminded me of old school 80's/90's movies we used to see - not as good as them - but love those fun rides)

Jose Olivera

My name is Jose Armando Olivera Enriquez, a screenwriter from Peru and creator of the registered sci-fi project “AROLEN’S.”

I am reaching out to present a high-concept feature film that combines real h...

Expand comment
Amanda Toney

Hi Jose Olivera - Id recommend putting this post up in the Introduce Yourself lounge so you can network for introduce yourself weekend: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/introduce_yourself...

Expand comment
James Woodland
Lindsay Thompson

Foreground objects are one of the most underutilized tools in the frame. When used with intention, they do several things at once -- they create depth, direct attention, and add context without the di...

Expand comment
Jose Olivera

My name is Jose Armando Olivera Enriquez, a screenwriter from Peru and creator of the registered sci-fi project “AROLEN’S.”

I am reaching out to present a high-concept feature film that combines real h...

Expand comment
Michael Fitzer, Mfa
Interview

An interview I did with Consequence of Sound podcaster, host and legend behind the mic, Kyle Meredith. We talk a lot about story, cinematography, and much more. If you listen, I hope you enjoy!

https://www.lpm.org/music/2026-04-13/michael-fitzer-making-films-isnt-just-about-making-money-its-about-mak...

Expand post

Pat Savage

Amanda Toney Excellent and cued up for this evenings content! I just bought How to Prep to Sell Your Completed Feature Film at a Film Market and Plan Your Film Festival Strategy in the "New Normal" -...

Expand comment
Morgan Aitken
Pocket Cam or Cine Rig for a Tricky Exposure Move

Hey cinametogs! I want to know whether I’m being cleverly minimalist or just plain cheap and delusional.

I’m after a slow move from a dark, gloomy passage between buildings out into an open street with a proper shift in light. I do not want the camera helpfully “fixing” the exposure for me like some...

Expand post

Rakesh Malik

In case it's not too late since I just found this post, it's probably better just to use a small cinema camera... rent/borrow a Black Magic Pyxis or Pocket cinema camera, or a Red Komodo or Komodo-X....

Expand comment
Pat Savage

I'm in agreement with Rakesh Malik

Sam Rivera

Ha! "Caffeinated baboon" is my new favorite camera term. Honestly, if you lock exposure manually and the GoPro doesn't try to "help" (big if), you might pull it off. But for a slow, intentional move l...

Expand comment
Morgan Aitken

I have tried the GoPro on manual but it is a pain to use, requiring an iPad or similar along for the shoot to change settings. Incidentally, I did finally shoot with a cine-cam, I actually shot the sc...

Expand comment
Rakesh Malik

Let us know how it turns out!

Lindsay Thompson
What's Happening in Cinematography -- April 2026

A few things worth knowing about this month:

The April issue of American Cinematographer is out, covering Project Hail Mary, The Bride!, Wuthering Heights, and Amrum. Linus Sandgren breaks down his approach to Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights adaptation, and the issue includes a report on a perfor...

Expand post

Sam Rivera

I'm especially excited to see what new cine gear emerges from NAB this year, and that ARRI partnership for Europe's largest virtual production stage sounds like a game-changer for how cinematographers can shape light and atmosphere on set.

Michelangelo Torres

I'm curious about NAB. Also, over the past few months, I've read a couple of rumors about ARRI: one about a possible sale (I hope not) and another about a hypothetical Alexa Mini "for the masses" (this one might be interesting).

register for stage 32 Register / Log In