A GUIDE TO
CINEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY
JACOB GUERRERO
HELLO,
Welcome to the guide on how to take cinematic photos! In this book, you will understand what makes a photo cinematic, concepts to elevate your photos, and even get some inspiration to take your own! I hope you are able to take some things from this guide and utilize the tips and methods in your own work!
LET’S BEGIN! 1
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WHAT?
LOCATION
COMPOSITION
INSPIRATION
LIGHTING
THE END
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“IT’S ALL A LITTLE FOGGY” 3
WHAT ARE
CINEMATIC PHOTOS?
Cinematic photos are photographs that have a film or movie essence to them. They typically have a strong sense of mood, story, atmosphere, and emotion. They are composed to tell stories and emulate stills from movie scenes. This style of photography is very unique as it shows more than just a single moment in time. 4
REEBOK BE MORE HUMAN 5
COMPOSITION
When it comes to composing and framing your photo, one thing to keep in mind is the rule of thirds. This is when your subject is composed in the left or right quadrant of the frame to make it more interesting. This allows the other two-thirds to be more open which leads to more compelling shots. 6
“NIGHT TIME” 7
LIGHTING
When lighting the scene for a cinematic photo, its best to utilize the upstage lighting technique where the main light source is placed behind the subject. This creates a dramatic effect where the sillhouette of the subject is gently illumated. This allows for a high-contrast photo making the more important areas stand out. 8
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LOCATIONS
Location can play a vital role when it comes to making your photos more cinematic. Choose somewhere that adds to the narrative and provides a nice and aesthetic scene for your photo. Places such as mountains, open fields, and even places with lots of color. Whatever works for the vibe you’re going for! 10
GET INSPIRED!
Inspiration can be found everywhere! Watching your favorite movies, listening to music, and looking at your surroundings can all spark ideas and help you create a vision.
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NOW YOU TRY!
Tip: Use props such as flowers, clocks, radios, chairs, and more to make your photo more interesting and cinematic! Check out thrift stores for fun and unique objects.
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I hope you were able to learn a few things in this guide. One thing to always keep in mind is to keep practicing. The only way to get better is to continue to try and experiment with new things. It’s how you grow and get better as a photographer. Let’s go out and take some cinematic photos!
THE END 14
GOOD LUCK!
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PHOTOS BY: JACOB GUERRERO @photosbyjacobg