If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, shooting beautiful films is a great way to do it. Here are tips from Marc Shaw Photography & Films on how to choose the right camera for filming beautiful films:
- Choose an appropriate camera for the type of film you’re using. If you’re using a digital SLR, make sure the lens is capable of capturing good quality images in dark lighting conditions. For colour Negative and slide film cameras, it’s important to select a camera with a wide-angle lens so that you can capture as much of the scene as possible.
- Choose your film stock wisely. When choosing film stock, be sure to consider its grain size and resolution. Large grain sizes will give your images a more vintage look, while higher resolution films will produce sharper images.
- Shoot in RAW format if possible. This will allow you to adjust image settings later on without losing any data or quality.
- Use manual exposure mode whenever possible. By manually controlling exposure, you can achieve more accurate results than when shooting in automatic mode.
- Experiment with different shutter speeds and apertures to find what works best for the type of film and light conditions you’re photographing in.
Lighting, Composition & Post-Production
For many people, the thought of shooting a film might conjure images of cumbersome equipment and long hours in the dark. But with a little bit of know-how and some beautiful lighting, it’s easy to create stunning cinematic memories. Here are five tips for shooting beautiful films:
1. Choose Your Lighting wisely
Lighting can make or break a film’s look. Whether you’re using natural light or artificial light, be sure to choose the right kind and intensity for the setting and your subject. For example, if you’re shooting outdoors in sunlight, try using a low power on your flashgun to create an eerie effect.
2. Use Composition to Create Drama
When it comes to composition, try to think about how your shots will play together as a whole. For example, if you want to make an impressionistic shot of a tree in the forest at night, consider framing the scene so that one side is brightly lit while the other is in darkness. This will add depth and drama to your image.
3. Use Post-Production Techniques for Subtle Effects
If you want to create more dramatic effects with your photography, consider post-production techniques like fading or blurring backgrounds (for example, when someone is crying). It’ll take some practice but these techniques can really bring out the emotions in your shots.