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My Guide For Capturing Cinematic Images With Your DSLR Is Now Available – Get It While It’s Hot!

About a month ago, I announced that I have been working on my Guide For Capturing Cinematic Images With Your DSLR, and after countless hours of prepping, shooting and editing, it is finally complete and available as of today! The guide itself is an extremely in depth 82 minute tutorial video that acts like a boot-camp, covering everything you need to know from A – Z with regards to capturing a cinematic image. 

Many of you had pre-ordered the guide last month, and first and foremost I want to say thank you. I greatly appreciate your support and interest in this video tutorial.

There are so many video tutorials out there that attempt to break down and explain the various components of cinematography, but I have never come across any that focus primarily on how to achieve the ‘film look’, which is why I created this video guide. While many of the topics covered (such as setting your exposure, stabilizing your camera and post-workflows) are pertinent to any type of shooting, most of the chapters (such as lighting, framing and color grading to name a few) are very heavily geared towards the cinematic look.

I have truly worked long and hard to densely pack in every last tidbit of information that I think you will need to know to get started on your cinematic journey. This guide could have easily been 3 hours long, but after trimming away all the fat and leaving just the essentials, it is down to just under an hour and a half. Over the course of the video, we cover the following topics, broken down by chapter:

1. Picking The Right Camera

2. Recording Formats

3. Camera Profiles

4. Exposure

5. Lenses

6. Depth of Field

7. Rolling Shutter

8. Lighting

9. Framing & Composition

10. Camera Movement

11. Stabilization

12. Post-Workflow

13. Color Grading

14. Finishing

This guide is truly going to be beneficial for just about anyone shooting digitally, not just DSLR shooters. While I do demonstrate primarily with DSLR footage/cameras, the fundamental principles outlined in this guide are universal and will apply no matter what camera you’re shooting on. Lighting a beautiful image, choosing the right lens, color grading your footage, or any of the other critical topics that I cover in this guide are essential to master no matter what your camera of choice.

Here are a few frame grabs from the guide:

Full-Frame-Pros

GH4-Sample-Shot

Soft-Lighting-Setup

85mm

 

Contrast-In-Camera

Rule-Of-Thirds

DaVinci-Resolve-Guide

 

Exposure-Triangle

Camera-Profiles

My Approach

Just about any of the chapters in this video could have been their own self contained tutorial. But rather than breaking things apart and releasing all of these chapters as individual videos, I felt that it was really important to release them all together since they are all so dependant on each other. I learned how to shoot, edit, and color by actually getting my hands dirty and learning every last step in the process inside and out, and that mentality is largely reflected in this tutorial. By touching on every last element in the chain (from choosing your camera all the way through to coloring and finishing), this guide will give you a massive jump start and get your well on your way to capturing filmic images.

There’s no question that actually getting out in the field and shooting is one the best ways to grow as a filmmaker. But in order to get the most out of your time when actually shooting (and save yourself a lot of headaches along the way), you will want to be as prepared as possible so that you can avoid some of the common mistakes that everyone encounters. That’s the purpose of this video: To get you up and running as soon as possible so that you can go out and pick the right camera, shoot with it, and process your footage so it looks fantastic. I spent years teaching myself how to shoot through trial and error, and only wish that I could have saved myself countless hours of frustration by learning some of the techniques that are outlined in this tutorial.

If you would like to order the guide, you can do so for only $65 by clicking the link below. Thank you all so much for your support and I truly hope that this guide can help many of you capture even more pristine and filmic images.

About Author

Noam Kroll is an award-winning Los Angeles based filmmaker, and the founder of the boutique production house, Creative Rebellion. His work can be seen at international film festivals, on network television, and in various publications across the globe. Follow Noam on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more content like this!

42 Comments

  • Gene
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    Hey Noam, thanks for the invaluable information and all that you do for the film community. That said, got your latest post regarding “The Most Common Mistake Made On Micro-Budget Feature Film” There’s a section in your missive about “If you have a great idea for a script, but it would need $1,000,000.00 to make it, then don’t water it down to be shootable on a $10,000 budget . . . write a different script.” Ummm, so I save the best for last with my million dollar script and go with a completely different story / script for my 10,000 micro-budget film ? By the way, do you offer script writing services or is it rolled up in one nice package ?

    Reply
    • Hey Gene! As opposed to thinking of it as “saving the best for last”, I would think of it as finding the right fit for your budget. You can still write a beautiful movie with a $10,000 budget, but you will just need to make different decisions than the $1,000,000 film.

      I occasionally am asked to write for other people and consider it on a per project basis…

      Hope this helps!

      Reply
  • Gene
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    Hey Noam,

    This is all new to me and I’ll sign up for your tutorial in the days come, but will this tutorial be right for me ? My over all goal is to make a full feature film or a narrative short film to start. I have a GH4, prime lens 25mm, tripod with fluid panhead, steadicam, external sound recorder and mics. Most of this has been a daunting task all at once and I have yet to learn postproduction. No woe is me, but at what point do you reach a zone of familiarity with all the basics and is the above gear a good start or should I consider adding another lens for filmmaking? By the way, I like the LUTs you have created, very pastoral.

    Thanks for your time.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the note, Gene! I do think your needs will very much be covered by this guide, as I cover a lot of ground – everything from camera settings to shooting techniques, and even some post-production. It sounds like you are very ambitious and are eager to learn… With that in mind, there will always be more to learn, and no one video guide is going to teach you everything. But I did my best with this guide to cover all of the basics/intermediate level fundamentals that are essential for getting up and running.

      Reply
  • Thank you Noam
    Each time I read your articles I feel pushed to work on my skills.

    Thanks a million times.

    Reply
  • Frank Edoho
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    Hi Noam,
    I follow your Color Grading advice on Premium Beat. Thanks for your work.

    I would like to know how what hardware to acquire for color grading. I have a BenQ PG2401pt Monitor, a Blackmagic Ultra Mini Monitor device, an HDLink Pro device(Not the display port one). I also have DaVinci Resolve Studio and thanks to you, some knowledge of grading.

    I would like to know if i am good to go or maybe i should just go for the Flanders Scientific CM 171 monitor?

    What do you think, Noam?

    Thanks.

    By the way, when is your Color Grading Course to be released? You must have something like that in the works, given your vast knowledge in the field.

    Reply
    • Hi Frank – thanks for reading my color grading articles! The monitor you have is excellent, but if you will be working with clients that prefer to work off of a broadcast display, something like the Flanders Scientific monitor is a great option to round off your setup. Other than that, you might eventually want to invest in a control surface if you like working with them.

      I am working hard on creating some new online courses, and although it’s taken longer than planned I should have something out this summer.

      Looking forward to sharing more with you then!

      Reply
      • Kirill
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        Hi Noam! Found your blog while searching any info about color grading. I’ve already read several posts and found them very helpful and inspiring! Thank for them! How is work on a new color grading video course you’ve been working on for some time? Would be interesting to have a look!

        Reply
        • Hey Kirill! Thanks for the note. I still have a color course in the pipeline but it’s been a busy year (and I’m currently in production for a feature), so it might be a little while before it’s released… Stay tuned though!

          Reply
  • Don Flores
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    Quick question on what you cover when it comes to finishing the film. How in depth do you cover exporting your video? Especially covering exporting for streaming or broadcast?

    Reply
    • Hi Don, thanks for your interest in the guide! The video touches on delivery, but we don’t specifically outline exact settings for web/broadcast export since it varies so much for each individual project. Thanks again for reaching out.

      Reply
  • Jake
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    Hi Noam,
    I have been following your posts now for awhile and find them extremely useful when shooting. I am thinking about purchasing the cinematic guide, but was curious how much of the course deals with the GH4?
    Thanks,
    Jake

    Reply
    • Thanks Jake! So glad you’ve enjoyed the blog. I actually demonstrate on the GH4 in the guide, so it should be perfect for your needs. That said, it is not limited to the GH4 and the principles are universal across all DSLRs/Cinema cameras.

      Reply
  • […] For more info about the film look and how to achieve it, be sure to check out my Guide For Capturing… […]

    Reply
  • Hi Naom,
    Your website is extremely helpful. I have been learning DSLR filmmaking for 5 years now and just like you I started with experimentation and still do trial and error. My journey is far more prolonged because I work a full time job and filming is so far a hobby. I will definitely try your course to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. But what I am very keen to learn at this stage is the audio side of it. Do you have any course and can you direct me to any resources which can give me a good base on which I can build on in future. Many thanks.

    Al

    Reply
    • Hi Pir, thanks for the kind words and I’m glad to hear this has been helpful for you! I don’t have a course on audio, and haven’t taken any myself that I can recommend. That said, if I come across any I will be sure to post a link here for you.

      Good luck with everything!

      Reply
  • willy
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    muy bueno, felicidades

    Reply
  • Dwayne
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    So I bought the guide and even though I did know a lot of things in the guide, there were a few points that caught my attention. I appreciate the fact you answered my question. I shoot a lot of events so I need faster lenses. Can you recommend any fast lenses that don’t break the bank and how did you get started? Did you have a mentor? Did you go to school? Well, thank you for your time, and the guide was definitely well put together.

    Reply
    • Thanks a lot Dwayne. In terms of lenses, check out some of Nikon’s manual prime lenses. Some of them are really cheap, and they are extremely fast at around F1.4.

      In terms of how I got started, it was all just trial and error. I didn’t have a mentor and didn’t go to film school, so I just sort of learned as I went along. I picked up a camera and some editing software, made a lot of mistakes, and then kept refining the craft until I was able to actually work professionally as a freelancer and then eventually start my own company.

      Reply
  • Dwayne
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    Does your guide cover the C100. I have a C100 and I want to master shooting with it.

    Reply
    • Hey Dwayne – The guide is actually intended to be applicable to any DSLR or cinema camera for that matter, and it would absolutely be helpful if you are shooting on the C100. I didn’t demonstrate with that camera in the video guide, but all of the lessons are very much applicable to that camera as well as any other cinema-style camera.

      Reply
  • Peter
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    Great work. Does it cover the use if nikon d750 as well as gh4?

    Im quite torn between these two cameras, since Im used to nikon and real dslr (especially the optical viewer), BUT need some good video recording possibilities as well.

    The nikon d750 seems great – but has no image stabilization or 4k as the gh4. However – according to your guide, the d750 may have a lot better Dynamic range than the gh4???

    I need it for theatre documentation short film and e-learning movies.

    Thank you for your great work!

    Reply
    • Hi Peter!

      The guide is actually meant to be universal, and covers principles that would apply to any DSLR. While I did mainly demonstrate on a GH4, the exact same lessons are applicable across the board, and the guide is not at all camera specific. In terms of the d750 itself, I haven’t used it enough to make an exact call on the DR, but I would say that it’s in the same ballpark as the GH4. If you need 4K though, GH4 is certainly the way to go.

      Reply
  • oscar
    at

    Hello, i have a question. How in depth do you get in the post-workflow and the color correction? Just a quick overlook or you really go deep? Last, would you recommend some source to really learn color correction and color grading? I really want to know how to manipulate my image correctly.
    Thanks,
    Oscar

    Reply
  • does camera models matter for color grading procedure ?

    Reply
    • Yes. The camera you shoot on affects the way the image is captured which in turn means you need to adjust for it’s ‘look’ in post. Every camera needs a different treatment in the grading room, but the same color principles apply no matter what.

      Reply
  • Kylie
    at

    Definitely downloading this soon!
    I have had this question for a while now but not sure who/ where to ask, so I’ll just post it here. I am studying film, and while I’m much more on the directing/writing side, I love cinematography and shoot most of my stuff by myself anyhow. I understand the basics– I can turn the camera on and off (and more!) (But not much more).
    I know when I have a good shot and I understand what makes it good, but I really am short on technical knowledge of how the camera functions. When I read about shooting I am often lost in discussions of settings, or I’ll see lists of camera features and not know what any of it means. I really just don’t know where to begin, it seems like an infinite amount of information.
    Any advice on where to start? (Besides this guide, of course.) I really want to learn everything I can. Thanks so much, again.

    Reply
    • Hi Kylie, thanks for visiting the site!

      The best thing that you can do to learn is to actually go out and shoot, and simply use trial and error to find the settings that work best for you. That said, guides like mine will allow you to skip many days or weeks of initial trial and error so that when you actually start shooting you are already working from a more advanced baseline.

      As an exercise, try shooting a scene in a way that matches a scene in a film that you like. It will force you to think about the lighting/composition/camera settings in a more realistic way and what you learn will probably be more memorable. Hope you enjoy the guide!

      Reply
  • Theresa
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    Thanks for sharing valuable info!!

    Reply
  • Johan
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    Just finished the video as well and agree that it was fantastic.

    I am curious about how you approach white balance. Do you custom white balance? Do you always go for a neutral white or are there times when you would go for a specific look when setting the white balance?

    Reply
    • Thanks so much Johan! I typically do a custom white balance and either start with 5600 K for daylight or 3200 K for tungsten. Then I will dial it up or down a bit if I need to based on mixed lighting situations.

      Reply
  • Hi Noam,
    Just finished it and thought it was great! You covered a lot of topics to cement your ideas.
    Can you offer any supplemental posts to complement it like your preferred GH4 profile settings and preferred lenses?

    Reply
    • Thank you Paul!

      I will certainly post more about my GH4 settings/lens choices in the near future. Stay tuned!

      Reply
  • Hi Ray, You should have been able to download the entire video. Please e-mail me at info@noamkroll.com and I will get you a new link!

    Reply
  • Jedi Clampette
    at

    One thing that would be very helpful is that many of us use nikkor manual primes on Canon Rebel cameras for video. All the tutorials I have seen are about how you can buy adapters, but never have seen on actually setting up and using manual prime lenses on any dlsr. Also is this video you are selling streaming or can it be downloaded?

    Reply
    • Hi Jedi,

      The guide is now available and once you purchase it, a direct download link is sent to you immediately so you can get started right away! I will keep your request in mind for future tutorial videos as well…

      Reply
  • Exceptionally well done and informative, especially for owners of the GH4. Thanks!

    Reply
  • Xiong
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    Downloading, can’t wait to check it out. Thanks!

    Reply

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