Hot Cinematography How-Tos « Cinematography

How To: See through people's clothes with a video camera

This video tutorial teaches you how to see through clothes using a blank roll of film and any video camera that has night vision. You won't see people completely naked, but you can see undergarments and the "shape" beneath...If your imagination just isn't cutting it anymore, check out this how-to video and start getting a peak at people in a slightly less clothed state.

How To: Make a Lightweight Body-Mount Rig for Filming Unique Front & OTS Shots

Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out, according to director Martin Scorsese, who asserted that when describing his life's work. Getting the perfect shot can turn an otherwise ordinary scene into something great, both on and off screen.

How To: Use the Skater mini dolly to film low to the ground

The skater mini dolly is a great little tool you can use when you want to film something close to the ground. To get the best shot possible, it's critical that you align your three wheels precisely. Make sure they're calibrated properly.

How To: Make a shoebox lens for your camera

You can make a great picture effect with just an ordinary shoe box, some paint, a magnifying glass, and a piece of plastic. Try this for a great camera lens trick.

How To: Use an external monitor with a camcorder

In this video from lunawebs we learn how to use an external monitor with a camcorder. The best way is to use an HDTV and use your HDMI output on the TV. The sound can also come through the monitor if you have a headphone port on the monitor. If you want to go outdoors, it will be more of a challenge. If you do not have an HDMI out on your camera, there is a component you can use. Composite AV outs are cheaper when it comes to monitors and camcorders. If you have a composite monitor, assign th...

How To: Build your own ten foot long camera dolly track

Need some smooth pan shots for your indie film? How about a cool dolly zoom effect? Well, you don't need to be a professional filmmaker to use such a device, but you do need the money for the gear. But—if you can work your way around the workshop, you can probably build your own camera dolly and track just fine. And for under $100! This video shows you how to build your own DIY dolly and dolly track, and all you need are the parts listed below. Then you just need to learn the art of the dolly...

How To: Use a piece of developed film and a camera to see through clothes

The ability to see through clothing has been pursued by voyeurs for millenia, and today with the help of cheap video cameras we are closer than ever. This video will show you how to use a piece of blank developed film and IR to see through different types of shirts and other clothing. It also covers the effects of different colors and fabrics on the technique's effectiveness.

How To: Change lenses on a camcorder

Make sure you have the appropriate lens for your digital camera. Look for markers on the lens that correspond with any mark on the camera body. Different brands have different markers. Some have square dots while some have red dots. Line these marks In one hand, hold your camera body firmly pointing to you. While holding it, push the lens button. Firmly hold the bottom of the lens (where the lens meets the camera body), and twist. Some cameras let you twist clockwise, others counterclockwise....

How To: Build a 3D camera rig for recording and shooting 3D videos and films

This guide goes over the basics of 3D video recording and the mechanics behind it before delving into something a little more specific. The host discusses how to build a rig that allows for adjustments to be easily made to the interaxial distance and convergence of the two cameras.

How To: Make an easy and inexpensive DiY camera dolly out of PVC pipe

This is an easy and simple dolly you can make with just a few lengths of PVC pipe and some wheels taken from a pair of Rollerblades. You'll also need a few pieces of hardware to attach it, like screws.

How To: Shoot low angle moving shots from ground level with a video camera

Low angle shots are a great way to evoke a sense of panic in movies, but if you're trying to get good quality shots from ground level with just your hands, then it's not going to work. The video footage will be all shaky, unless that's another look you're wanting to achieve in your film. If you want steady, fast-tracking low angle footage, then Ritwika has a great trick on taking those ground level moving camera shots. You'll need a monopod, water bottle (with water), 2 rubber bands and your ...

How To: Build a cheap DIY follow focus for your Canon 5D Mark

In this very basic but informative tutorial, you'll learn how to build a follow focus for your Canon 5D Mark. This method has the virtue of being very cheap, using just a clamp, nuts and bolts, a bit of wire, a rubber band and some shrink wrap. But used well, you can probably achieve some fairly professional looking results with this rig.

How To: Export your stop motion films with iKITMovie

iKITMovie is stop motion animation software for PC's running Windows XP or Vista. All you need is a computer and a USB webcam or USB streaming camcorder and you are ready to make your own brickfilms or clay animation (claymation) movies. If you wish, you can simply import your JPG images (640x480) that you have already taken with your camcorder or digital still camera for simple editing.

How To: Make your own steadicam

Steadicams are mounts used in film making that helps the cameraman capture smooth shots independent of his body's movements. Unfortunately, this equipment can be very costly. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make your own steadicam for approximately 9.50 pounds.

How To: Create a camera tripod with a rubber band

There are a lot of ways to keep your camera from shaking. Most of these involve expensive devices known as tripods. If you're super stingy and don't want to spring from a tripod, this video tutorial will show you how to make one using only a rubber band. The method shown in this cinematography video is small, simple, and very effective for keeping your camera from shaking.

How To: Operate a 16mm motion picture projector

This nifty tutorial from the United States Air Force will teach you how to operate a 16mm Motion Picture Projector, should you ever come in contact with one. Operate a 16mm motion picture projector.

How To: Make super smooth pan shots with your camera tripod

Want to have super smooth pan shots? Yes? Well, all you need is some simple, stretched out, rubber bands. That's it.

How To: Film in a moving vehicle

Jennifer demonstrates an in car video camera techniques by showing different ways to shoot video from a moving vehicle.

How To: Get a Professional Audiovisual Look for Your Videos with Low Budget

This video has some tips how to make your youtube videos quality better. It is great for someone who has an entry level dslr or a mirrorless camera in their house, but don't have a microphone. I will give you tips on lens settings and a great diy audio tip.

How To: Set Up an SJ4000 to Take Timelapse Pictures

This video teaches you how to setup a SJ4000 to take timelapse photos.

How To: Create a DIY Studio Light Equivalent to 800 Watts at 5000k

This video is going to teach you how to create a DIY studio light that is the equivalent to 800 watts at 5000k

How To: Create a Detachable DIY DSLR PVC Shoulder Rig

This video is going to teach you how to Create a DETACHABLE DIY Pvc Shoulder Rig Video: .

How To: Create a DIY Camera Rig (Ultrapod)

This video is going to teach you how to create a video handheld rig that will help stabilize your videos

How To: Get Great Bokeh for Videos and Photos Using Christmas Lights

So what is Bokeh? Well, the word comes from the Japanese term "boke" (bo-keh) which means fuzziness. Bokeh describes the character of the blur in an image, but is often used specifically to refer to points of light rendered as fuzzy circles. These "circles of confusion" come from points of light not being perfectly focused. You know when you're taking a picture of your friend at night, and the lights in the background go fuzzy? That's it! Having a beautifully blurred background can help focus...

Your Brain on Music: How to Turn an MRI Scan into a Music Video

Ever wonder what your brain looks like while you're singing? No? Neither had I, but as this music video for the song "Better Man Than He" by SiVU (aka James Page) will show you, the answer is "pretty cool."

How To: Film Using DSLR at Low Light

Filming in low light is not easy, its tricky and challenging, but if you know the proper ways to set your DSLR camera even if you have the most ordinary lenses you can still capture great videos with less noise. So here are some settings and samples in Filming with your DSLR in Low light.

How To: Take Time-Lapse Photography on a Digital SLR with a Timer Remote (For Beginners)

This tutorial is for complete beginners to time-lapse photography and will show you all the settings and equipment you'll need to start taking time-lapse videos with a DSLR camera relatively cheaply. Although this tutorial focuses on the Canon 7D, the steps outlined and equipment discussed also applies to other models available on the market.

How To: Configure a 3D camera rig with the proper interaxial distance and parameters

3D video capture isn't just for the Hollywood film makers, but it does take a bit of knowledge to set-up and configure. In this two part video series, the guide provides you with tips and information that will help you learn how to use your 3D camera rig and correctly adjust your parameters.

How To: Mount a 1080p camera on a helmet for less than $70

Looking for a way to record what you see from your motorcycle? Check out this video and learn how to mount a 1080p HD camera in a motocross helmet. Capture awesome high quality video of your rides with this 1080p helmet cam mount.

How To: Build a car rig camera mount for cheap

If you're a filmmaker with bigger ideas than your budget, Indy Mogul is here to help with Backyard FX. Learn how to build a camera mount for a car that costs less than 40 dollars. Using suctions cups, you can rig a camera on the front of a car.

How To: Make a simple low budget camera mount for film

If you are interested in low-budget filmmaking, this video will show you a clever way to construct a camera mount. Instead of spending money on a tripod or camera mount, pick up a few materials from a hardware store and make your own.

How To: Turn a tripod into a free body mounted camera rig

Start with a basic tripod, and then follow this DiY tutorial which shows you how to construct a body mounted camera rig. Why spend hundreds of dollars on one, when it's so easy to just construct one for yourself at home?

How To: Shoot like a pro as a newcomer to digital video

Learn the basics of shooting videos in this video. This funny and informative video from Vimeo's excellent Video 101 series of tutorials demonstrates the importance of things like always carrying extra batteries, holding on to the subject for at least 5 seconds, using the rule of thirds to compose the shots, and planning the shots ahead of time.

How To: Use a Superclamp and articulated arm for camera support

This system won't replace the need for a tripod entirely, but it's a great way to use both a superclamp and an articulated arm to give you a little extra camera support if you can't use a tripod for a particular shot.

How To: Set up the lighting and camera angles for a music video shot

This tutorial shows you how to set up a very stylized shot that's ideal for shooting music videos. Choose and set up the right kinds of lighting setups, and then make sure you get just the right camera angle for your project.

How To: Design your shot setup to make it look more like film

The equipment only does about half the work when it comes to making your shot really stand out - the other half is setting up your shot just so. This is a quick video that gives you some good tips for making your shot look amazing, no matter what you're filming with.