Underwater shooting
INTO THE BLUE Join the cinematographers taking the plunge into our oceans as they strive to capture the world beneath the waves. It used to be that simply taking a camera to an unusual place – the top of a…
Category Gear and Equipment
Filmmaking equipment
KITTED OUT FOR SUCCESS Film and TV projects have long combined custom-built equipment with the latest high technology, and that seems even more common in natural history work. The natural history field demands material that’s novel and achieves the sort…
Changing habits
A wildlife cinematographer doesn’t only capture the results of evolution in the natural world – they also experience it in the very tool boxes they take into the wild: Shifts from film to digits, terrestrial radio to satellite phones, paper…
Lightsource: And then there was light
Light Source Film is a beacon of transformation that has evolved far beyond its humble beginnings just over a decade ago. The brainchild of lighting technician Aaron Keating, Light Source Film was originally set up as a portal to help…
Inside the gaffer’s toolbox
From RGBW LEDs to traditional tungsten, from wireless consoles to simple textiles, the tools of the lighting department are many and varied. A range of working gaffers share their must-haves and go-to items with us. “Keep it simple,” is Julian…
Lighting deep dive
Pete Romano ASC explores the tech milestones and lighting kit developments that have impacted his work as a specialist in underwater shooting. Working underwater combines several tricky factors. There’s often no, or less, natural light, space fades to blue over…
Sensational skin tones
Tommy Maddox-Upshaw ASC achieves skin tone accuracy from prep to set with Rosco DMG Lights. Cinematographer Tommy Maddox-Upshaw ASC was introduced to Rosco’s DMG Lighting fixtures by gaffer Wayne Shields on the 10-part Paramount+ drama The Man Who Fell To…
Broad-Spectrum Solutions
Panalux’s proprietary innovations, extensive inventory and breadth of support enable cinematographers to bring their visions to light. “When you’ve got a big job, Panalux has to do it,” says cinematographer Ben Smithard BSC. “I know they’ll always have what I…
Shining example
Litepanels’ Gemini Hard panels push up the power to help gaffers make the day. It’s easy to think of big changes in lighting technology as a recent phenomenon, but gaffer Michael McDermott has spent 45 years working on productions including…
A light touch
Gaffer Wayne Shields reveals how he uses Astera Tubes on Back in Action, Deadpool 3 and Apple TV+ series Disclaimer. “I can generally suss out how the DP likes to work after a couple of weeks shooting,” says gaffer Wayne…
Meet Oscar!
He’s our ChatGPT-powered friend with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all thing’s cinematography from British Cinematographer. Ask him a question and you’ll be amazed by his response.