Simple Cinematic Photography Guide for Beginners

 

Cinematic photography is all about capturing images that look and feel like they could be straight out of a movie. It's a popular style that can make your photos look much more

 

dramatic, emotional, and engaging. The good news is that you don't need an expensive cinema camera or professional lighting gear to get started with cinematic photography. With

 

some simple techniques, you can achieve that cinematic look using just your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Here's a beginner's guide to cinematic photography:

 

 

1. Use a Wide Aperture

 

One of the defining characteristics of cinematic images is shallow depth of field. This refers to having your subject in sharp focus while the background is blurred out. It helps isolate

 

your subject and direct the viewer's eye right to it.To achieve shallow depth of field, you'll want to use a wide aperture like f/1.8 or f/2.8. The lower the f-number, the shallower the

 

depth of field will be. Make sure to set your camera to Aperture Priority mode so you can select the aperture while the camera meters for the proper shutter speed.

 

 

2. Use Longer Focal Lengths

 

Along with a wide aperture, using longer focal lengths like 50mm, 85mm, or 135mm will also help you get that cinematic shallow depth of field look. The longer the focal length, the

 

shallower the depth of field will be. Just be aware that longer lenses also amplify camera shake, so you'll want to use a tripod or crank up your shutter speed.

 

 

3. Look for Dramatic Lighting

 

Lighting is hugely important for cinematic photography. You'll want to look for scenes with dramatic, directional light that creates strong shadows and contrast. The golden hours

 

around sunrise and sunset are perfect for this, as the low angle of the sun creates very dramatic side or backlighting. Cloudy days can also provide beautiful, diffused lighting that is very cinematic.

 

 

4. Use Practical Lighting

 

In addition to natural light, look for opportunities to use practical lighting that exists in the scene, like lamps, candles, neon signs, or even a flashlight. Positioning your subject near

 

these light sources and exposing for the highlights can create very moody, cinematic lighting.

 

 

5. Compose with Negative Space

 

Negative space refers to the empty areas around your subject. For a cinematic look, compose your shots with lots of negative space, especially on one side of the frame. This

 

negative space adds a sense of drama and lets your subject really stand out against the background.

 

 

6. Look for Symmetry and Leading Lines

 

Symmetrical compositions and leading lines are very cinematic. Look for scenes with reflections, hallways, roads, fences, or anything else that can create symmetry or lines that lead

 

the viewer's eye into the frame. These compositional elements create a very visually striking, cinematic look.

 

 

7. Embrace Grain and Contrast

 

While modern digital cameras can produce super clean, noise-free images, a little bit of grain can actually enhance the cinematic look. Don't be afraid to boost your ISO to add some

 

grain. You can also increase the contrast and crush the blacks in post-processing for a more dramatic look.

 

 

8. Use Color Grading

 

Color grading is a huge part of the cinematic look in movies. In photography, you can achieve a similar effect by using presets or adjustment brushes in Lightroom to change the

 

color palette of your images. Some popular cinematic looks include cool/bluish tones, desaturated colors, or a faded, retro look.

 

 

9. Tell a Story

 

More than just techniques, cinematic photography is about storytelling. Think about the narrative you want to convey and look for interesting characters, scenes, and details that

 

help tell that story. Don't just take random snaps - carefully compose each shot to create a sense of drama, emotion, and intrigue.

 

 

10. Study Film Stills

 

Finally, one of the best ways to improve your cinematic photography is to study the work of professional cinematographers. Look through books of film stills or frame grabs from your

 

favorite movies. Study the lighting, composition, color grading, and overall mood they are able to create. Then go out and practice applying those cinematic techniques to your own

 

photography.Cinematic photography allows you to take your images to the next level by making them look much more dramatic, emotional, and engaging - just like scenes from a

 

great movie. With some simple gear and these beginner techniques, you'll be able to start capturing your own cinematic masterpieces. Just remember that it's not just about the

 

techniques, but about storytelling through your images. So have fun, get creative, and start crafting your own cinematic stories.