How I Make Everyday Moments Look CINEMATIC transcript

[Music] I know you guys enjoyed that intro cuz let me tell you, it took me a while to say the least. I've been on quite a few trips recently and I kind of got this idea to make a video about this specific topic because I feel like it's something that's just helped me like so much when it comes to film making, creating social media content, and as well just like overall storytelling. And that is getting into the habit of just filming every day.

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There are a few things that I want to talk about specifically that have just made this entire process way easier for me when it comes to the equipment that I use and just the overall process I think of just picking up the camera every day that you can and just filming something that you might even think is boring but to other people could be really interesting and it will just get you into that sort of mode and that practice of picking up the camera and documenting things no matter what it is.

Mate, that's genius. >> That is Yeah. last day we realized something powerful matter. >> Let's kick things off with what I think is the most important skill set that you are actually going to learn and take from filming every day, which is learning composition. It's not just about where your subject specifically sits in the frame. It's about understanding how different lenses change the feel of a shot, how lighting impacts a mood, and also how framing tells a story.

You will figure this out slowly but surely because the more you go out and practice, I feel like the more you will understand composition as a whole. It's about using framing, balance, and perspective to tell the story more effectively, so to speak. Something that has really helped me and given me an incentive to actually pick up my camera and film most days is film something that you enjoy. For instance, I really enjoy making tutorials like this.

I've been doing so for the past three or four years now. And in doing so, I have learned, you know, how to create a three-point lighting setup. I have learned how positioning my softbox can create different shadows on my face. As an example, if you enjoy, I don't know, going to the gym. You can just go take your phone, take your camera, and film your workout. You don't have to post it anywhere. But just getting into that habit of filming something that you enjoy just makes the process way easier because you're doing something that you love.

Another area that has really helped me in my process of filming constantly is vlogging. Now, I know that vlogs on my channel are probably my worst performing videos. I don't know why that is, but I really enjoy making them just as much as I enjoy making tutorials. But vlogging, you're essentially going out and you're talking to a camera. You're in public, for instance. And this is something that I am still working on.

Even though I've been doing it for such a long time, vlogging in public is still something that I struggle with to this day. I would say that vlogging has helped me improve in just like so many different ways from storytelling to working under pressure or just simply becoming more comfortable in front of camera. And it's challenged me to document the everyday seemingly like boring moments. I've learned just like how to find meaning and structure in the small things.

And it's just pushed me to think more intentionally about pacing, framing, and how to make the ordinary things feel sort of like engaging in a way. and it's taught me that good storytelling isn't about big events. It's more about how you capture and present the smaller moments. >> I think there's many benefits when it comes to creating every day. But mostly what I found is that I overthink less. Um sometimes when I get a little bit lazy and I don't film for like a little bit, I suddenly find it really hard to get back into the groove.

And since I'm someone that creates short documentaries about my life, I found that I'm always very very thankful that I film a lot of things with my camera and I'm able to tell stories, you know, in a high quality way. And yeah, just overall, the more you create, the better you get. And when you look back on your own work and you think you've improved, that's a great thing because if you've been creating very often, you're going to learn.

Every situation, every location, every scenario is different. And yeah, create often. Yeah, super important to film every day. Um, you get really into the swing of things and you you push your creativity to the next level. So, if you're in a city or, you know, whatever city you're in, just take your camera out for the day and just capture as many little clips as you can. All those little clips will be able to build into something much bigger.

And yeah, if you get into the habit of filming every day, you're just going to really improve your creativity cuz the longer you practice something, the better you're going to be at doing it. Something that I get asked time and time again, especially over on Instagram and even on YouTube, is to do with my gear or equipment that I use within my content creating process. [Music] Now, I will say having a setup that you can solely rely on makes such a difference because it removes friction and it helps you stay creative and just not frustrated with the process.

These days, 99% of the time, your phone is going to be your best starting point. Whether you have an iPhone or a Samsung, the cameras built into these smartphones are insanely good. Now, and already you have it with you pretty much wherever you go. Something else that you can look into if you want to stick towards that small form factor is actually an action camera. I have been using the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro throughout this year and I absolutely love it.

And again, these action cameras can be a little bit more of an investment, but the content you can create with just an action camera and a few accessories is actually amazing. And with each generation, these action cameras are only going to get better and better. This right here is my sort of like everyday content creation setup that I take with me if I am traveling. If I just want to go out and just like get some clips for social media or for like YouTube content, this will be sort of like the the mini setup that I take with me pretty much wherever I go. as well as my tripod.

And sometimes if I want to vlog and actually talk to camera, I'll take my small 11 mil vlogging lens, which is tiny and again is super super light. My camera body of choice if I'm just out and I'm shooting solo stuff is the Sony A74. Now I have a few reasons why I actually take this camera out specifically. I'm not going to go into like crazy depth, but one of the main factors is because this shoots 33 megapixel photos whereas my A7S3 only shoots 11.

And I quite like going out and having the ability to take pictures as well as beautiful 4K video, which this does. Shoots in SLOG 3 and also shoots in 4K 60, but it has a crop, but still more so I'm only shooting in like 24 frames, which obviously this does 4K 24 full-frame, no problem. The only thing that I would say that this lacks as opposed to my A7S3 is the autofocus on the A7S3 is way, way quicker than this. I don't know if there is something wrong with this camera, but for some reason the autofocus is like quite slow on it, but I don't know if that's just that particular camera.

I might have an issue with it, but that's one thing that I've sort of noticed. Most of the time, this does get all of the shots that I need it to, and the 4K image quality that comes out of this is absolutely beautiful to color grade. The A74 isn't going to be as expensive as like your FX3s for instance. But the reason why I use this more so when I'm just doing solo content is obviously the ability to take pictures as well as 4K video cuz obviously this is the in between of the A7R series by Sony and the A7S series.

This is like the in between sort of like hybrid shooter. So yeah, that's why I take this more so than the A7S3. to keep my setup nice and compact. There are two lenses that I will always take out with me, which is the Sony 35 mil F1.4 G Master. With this being a prime lens as well, when you open the aperture to f1.4, the footage looks so so good. Of course, when you're outside, you need to make sure you're using an ND filter because if you open the aperture at 1.4 and you're shooting outside without an ND filter, it's going to look like you've just been flashbanged.

And this is my second lens choice which I will bring with me for when I do any vlog content. This is the Sony 11 mil F1.8. Now this is made for a crop sensor camera. But if I put this on my A74 or even my A7S3, I do get a crazy vignette. So, what I'll do is I'll actually crop in in post by about 15 or even 20% to get rid of the vignette, which makes it even I think it makes it to like a 15 or even a 16 mil. But, it is f1.8.

And a lot of the time I actually quite like the vignette. It gives it quite a cool sort of like I don't know fisheye effect. Some people like it, some people don't. But the reason why I take this over my like 16 to35 if I'm just like doing solo stuff, if I'm out and about and I want to travel light, is because like the size of it of course is way way smaller, way lighter than the 16 to35. And yeah, it's just like again so much easier to carry around.

And with it being 1.8, you can get some really interesting shots with this lens. It has a very very short focal distance. And with the lens hood being taken off as well, as you guys can see, like that is like takes up no room in my bag. whatsoever. And this is quite a cheap lens as well. You can get one of these on eBay for like I think about £400. We are now on these ND filters which one of my friends told me about.

This is the KN&F Concept 2 to 32 stop. This is mist and V&D allin-one. Again, a lot cheaper than Polar Pro. Do not get me wrong. Polar Pros are very, very good. But I wasn't prepared to spend another £250 on an ND filter. So, we have gone for this one in particular. Again, comes with a really nice hard case. very very smart. And again, I just throw this in my backpack or my side bag, whatever it is I'm using, and this pretty much does everything for me.

I also have a bunch of step-up rings, so I can use this ND filter on like a bunch of my different lenses. And last but not least, this is probably the most crucial thing to bring with you. If you're doing a lot of solo film making and creating and you actually want to be in the content and you don't have anyone to help you film, you're going to need a tripod. And a lightweight tripod like this is an absolute gamecher.

Trust me, I used to be that guy where I would go on a trip and I'd be like, "No, I don't need a tripod." And nine times out of 10, I regretted it. But this one right here is the Ben Row. I'm not sure what um like model it is, but it's very very lightweight. Um it clips onto both of my side bag and also my camera bag. It's again super light and it has the extendable legs which are on latches as opposed to sort of like the screwing mechanism.

So you can extend and compact this down really really nice and quickly. And yeah, the build quality on this particular tripod is incredible. I really appreciate the art of both photography and film making, especially when it comes to solo film making. Like I said, just like having my camera on a tripod and just like letting life happen. Sometimes all you need is a tripod and then just a nicely framed scene and that is literally all you need, guys.

So sometimes less is more, but take with that information what you will. Hopefully you learned something from this video and it was informative. If you haven't already, please leave a like, rating, subscribe down below if you are new, and I will see you very, very soon in the next one. Peace. [Music] Hey, [Music]