Sajjad Ali’s Post

Let me explain the difference between a Cinematographer and a Videographer to you like a ten year old😂 Okay, imagine you and your friend are making a video🎦 Videographer: You are the videographer when your goal is to record what's happening. Your primary focus as a videographer is to capture clear and concise footage. Cinematographer: You're the cinematographer when you want to make a movie. As a cinematographer, you think about how the light looks, if the camera should move, maybe you even use special colors to make the video feel happy or scary. It's more like being a movie director, but with a focus on how everything looks

Cinematographer Vs Videographer!!!🎬📹 Most people don’t know the difference between these two roles and that’s not okay as both positions come with their challenges. We made a video going over what the actual difference is between a cinematographer and a videographer on our YouTube channel! Check the link to watch the video! https://lnkd.in/ekCVfUKt

What does a cinematographer do? I don’t often share my thoughts on broad topics but I feel this is a misunderstood question. Recently I have been getting a fair few questions from people at earlier stages in their careers about what steps they can do to progress. I am always trying to learn and grow myself but wanted to share a few things that could help people at that earlier stage or would have helped me at a similar time. One big shift I started making was focusing less on the creative and more on the business side. This may sound counter intuitive as a DP your job is fundamentally a creative one (to create the image) however it is still a full time job, and is something I didn’t treat it as. This simply started with asking myself questions like… “Why would someone hire me?” “Why do people hire a DOP” “What can I be learning/doing to get hired more” Ultimately yes knowing the craft is essential, but you can have all the knowledge you need, and if no one knows about you or your work then it will be in vain. One of my biggest take aways is to find your style, make it super clear and specific what that style is, and be sure to market it in a way other people can see that style for their projects. So when the time comes and they have hired you it’s because they are after that style and you know with confidence how to achieve that look. That’s your job as a cinematographer. On a final note I can’t recommend enough Patrick O’Sullivan and his video on “What is the Job of a Cinematographer?” Which is what sparked this post! Hope this helps. https://lnkd.in/epC_3_mK

A tale of two crewmembers. Which one would you rehire? Recently had a last-minute shoot pop up where several of my A-team were unavailable. I had two positions that I needed to fill: the second and third camera operator on a three camera shoot. These are low stakes roles in corporate events because you have your main camera operator covering any mistakes while your second and third just need to hunt for the occasional shot. In other words: perfect levelling up opportunities. So I made two hires: call them Cam Op A and Cam Op B. Cam Op A had 10 years of experience as a cinematographer, owned the specific camera we'd be working with, and came referred from someone on our A Team. On paper, a great hire. Cam Op B was BRAND NEW to the camera department, but had worked their way through utility and assistant positions. On paper, more of a risk. In rehearsals, they both struggled to get their shots. But they dealt with it differently. Cam Op A used their industry knowledge to build nicely composed images. Cam Op B would try something, ask for feedback, and make adjustments. At the end of the shoot, the director sent me feedback on each of them. Cam Op A: "their industry knowledge did not translate. Would not rehire." Cam Op B: "Lack of experience showed, but they picked it up quickly. Would rehire." The point here is: in live production, the folks who get rehired are NOT necessarily the most "skilled", or who have the most extensive reel, or the best reel. The folks who get rehired are the ones who GIVE A DAMN. Show you give a damn by: * Showing up on time * Asking questions when you don't know the answer * Finding ways to help when you have down time * Being honest about your skillset How do YOU show that you give a damn?

These are the lenses I currently own–– • Canon 24-70mm f2.8 II lens • Canon 70-200mm f2.8 III lens • Canon 16-35mm f4 lens • Canon 24-105mm f4 lens • Sigma 150-600mm f5.6 lens • Canon Extender 1.4x III  ––that I can bring to any project as a cinematographer, and I also can easily help as a camera assist if you’re shooting an event or DP’ing a planned out shot-list if I can be of help to serve you with just being extra hands and lens gear. Being in the trenches myself a lot of times with needing a hand sometimes out in the field filming and even with lighting help or lens changes without having to stop your creative eye with the camera, I can be the hustle where you won’t expend all your creative energy from the focus of the frame. And also, if you need my services as a cinematographer, I have 21 years of experience and am super steady with a wondering creative eye and love the motion of capturing and the creativity of trying to bring the visual of where it can be felt.  My goal and attitude with working with anybody is to help them, not me but whatever they need, or whatever the project needs from the direction of whoever is directing or envisioning the visual goals, or even if you need my help and insight with creative thoughts and direction, I have a lot of experience having to wear many hats sometimes with minimal budgets, so results and not loosing focus is always at the core of every project’s foundation I’ve agreed to help with and I’ll always give my diligence to raise the bar on what’s at stake with the project investment to make a beneficial video resource to be used again and again with your audience. If you need a hand with any of your film projects or even if my lenses can help, reach out anytime. And if you have a creative project you’d like to brainstorm about, reach out anytime, I love to think and talk about ideas and solutions with stories and messaging and how to bring that to life with video and film content.   Email: jamesdenham1@yahoo.com #Shooter #Editor #OwnerOperator https://lnkd.in/djrzQ9xw

Let me explain the difference between A Camera Operator Supervisor and B Camera Operator to you in a simple way Imagine you're filming a school play about pirates. The play is super exciting, and you want to capture all the best parts from different angles. A camera operator is like the captain of the filming ship. They use the main camera (camera A) to film the most important scenes, like close-ups of the actors' faces or wide shots of the whole stage. B camera operator is like the first mate. They have a second camera (camera B) and film extra stuff that camera A might miss. This could be funny reactions from the audience or close-ups of pirate hats. Both camera operators are important because they work together to get the best possible footage. They might even film the same scene from different angles, so the director can choose which shot looks cooler in the final movie! In short, camera A films the main stuff, and camera B captures all the extras. --------------------------------------------- ✅Thanks for engaging with today's "Frame by Frame" session with David Adesokan Follow David Adesokan for more simplified insights I am Coming🎥🧑💻🎦

One of the coolest tools in my kit as a cinematographer? The trusty gimbal. Not only does it give you shredded forearms💪, but it's also the secret weapon for those smooth, cinematic moving shots. Now, I know some people might say, "Hey, we'll just fix it in post" And sure, you can. But personally, there's something special about nailing it right from the get-go. Here's why it's worth getting it right on the shoot: Quality 👌 Stable shots equal top-notch quality. Shaky footage? It tends to lose those little details, making your work look, well, a bit amateurish. Efficiency 💪 Do you love torturing your editors? Shooting with stability means less stress in post-production. Sure, stabilisation tools are magical, but they can take a bit of time, especially for longer videos or a bunch of clips. Natural Look 👀 Ever noticed how some videos just feel a bit off? Starting with stable footage keeps things looking natural and real. Post-production stabilisation? Sometimes it gives that weird, wobbly look. Limits of Post ⛔️ Post-production isn't magic (well, mostly). If your original footage is all over the place, even the best software might struggle to make it shine without losing quality. Although I've penned the world's first love letter to Gimbals, it's important to note that this is my personal take. Of course, there's always room for those raw, handheld shots. But, speaking from experience, especially in corporate productions, audiences tend to appreciate footage that flows seamlessly.

New Work... Video Title: Melancholic Remake I'm thrilled to share my latest project where I took on multiple roles to bring this vision to life. In this video, I showcase my skills in post-production, cinematography, direction, art direction, lighting, and various filming techniques. Roles and Responsibilities: Director: Conceptualized and directed the entire video, ensuring a cohesive and engaging narrative. Cinematographer: Managed camera work, capturing stunning visuals that convey the melancholic theme effectively using the Sony A7III Post-production: Skillfully edited the footage to create a seamless flow and maintain emotional impact. Art Director: Designed and arranged the visual elements to enhance the storytelling. Camera Handling: Operated the Sony A7III with precision to achieve dynamic and impactful shots. Lighting Technician: Set up and managed lighting to create the desired mood and atmosphere. This project allowed me to integrate my diverse skill set, from pre-production planning to post-production editing. I'm excited to continue creating and collaborating on projects that push creative boundaries. Watch the full video to see the results of my efforts. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated! #Filmmaking #Cinematography #VideoEditing #Direction #ArtDirection #Lighting #CameraTechniques #CreativeWork #SonyA7III

🎥 Imagine a world where every frame tells a story... We often get so caught up in technology and tools that we forget the true essence of filmmaking. Sure, 4K cameras and advanced editing software are fantastic. But at its core, filmmaking is about storytelling. How do you evoke emotion through lighting? How does the choice of lens influence the narrative? These details transform a bland clip into an unforgettable experience. Cinematography isn’t just technical; it’s profoundly artistic, weaving emotional depth into each shot. Let's challenge ourselves to focus on the heart of our work: the story we want to tell. Because in the end, it's not just about what we show – it's about what we make others feel. 🌟 🎬

As a Cinematographer, I've always been fascinated by the crucial role we play in shaping a film's visual narrative during the pre-production phase. I recently took some time to reflect on the various aspects of a cinematographer's work before the cameras start rolling and decided to share my insights in an article. In "The Vital Role of a Cinematographer in Pre-Production: Crafting Compelling Visual Narratives," I delve into the multifaceted responsibilities of a cinematographer during pre-production. From establishing the visual style and collaborating with key departments to adapting to creative challenges, a cinematographer's involvement in pre-production lays the foundation for the entire film's visual language. Writing this article allowed me to appreciate the importance of meticulous planning, effective communication, and creative problem-solving in a cinematographer's role during pre-production. I hope that sharing my experiences and insights will be valuable to fellow cinematographers, filmmakers, and anyone interested in the art of visual storytelling. If you'd like to learn more about the cinematographer's role in pre-production, I invite you to check out the article and share your own experiences and thoughts in the comments. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gkC2GmEN #cinematography #filmmaking #preproduction #visualstorytelling