Cinematic photography gives your images a movie-like feel, using lighting, composition, and color grading to create an emotional impact.
Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or street scenes, here’s how to achieve a cinematic look in your photography.
1. What Makes a Photo Look Cinematic?
✔ Shallow Depth of Field – Soft backgrounds to focus on the subject.
✔ Dramatic Lighting – Shadows, highlights, and moody contrasts.
✔ Cinematic Color Grading – Teal & orange, muted tones, or desaturated hues.
✔ Widescreen Composition – Cropping to a 21:9 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
2. Best Camera Settings for Cinematic Photography
📌 Aperture & Depth of Field
✔ Use a wide aperture (f/1.4 – f/2.8) for subject isolation.
✔ Keep the background blurred for a cinematic feel.
📌 Shutter Speed & ISO Adjustments
✔ Shutter Speed: 1/100s – 1/250s for natural motion.
✔ ISO 100-400 for clean images with minimal noise.
📌 Use a Lower Contrast Look in Camera
✔ Shoot in flat picture profiles (S-Log, C-Log, or Neutral Mode) for better post-processing.
3. Best Lenses for Cinematic Photography
- 50mm f/1.8 – Classic “cinema look” for portraits.
- 35mm f/1.4 – Perfect for storytelling and street photography.
- 85mm f/1.4 – Ideal for dreamy, soft background blur.
4. Cinematic Lighting Techniques
🎥 Use Natural Light Creatively
✔ Shoot during golden hour for warm, soft tones.
✔ Use harsh side lighting for dramatic effects.
💡 Experiment with Artificial Light
✔ Use practical lights (lamps, neon signs, candles) for depth.
✔ Play with color gels or RGB lights for mood shifts.
5. Editing & Color Grading for a Cinematic Look
✔ Adjust Contrast & Curves – Create a more film-like dynamic range.
✔ Use Teal & Orange Color Grading – A popular cinematic style.
✔ Add Film Grain & Vignette – For an authentic movie feel.
Final Thoughts
Cinematic photography is all about storytelling, lighting, and color grading. With the right composition and editing techniques, you can turn ordinary photos into movie-like masterpieces. Start experimenting today!