Field Notes

Practical lessons, creative decisions,
and stories from the craft of cinematography.

Field Notes

Practical lessons, creative decisions,
and stories from the craft of cinematography.

The Room Was Already Well Lit. That Was the Problem contrast corporate filmmaking false color interview lighting lighting breakdown Sep 07, 2026

A dark room gives you an obvious problem to solve: you need more light.

A bright room can be harder.

When a location already has plenty of illumination, it is easy to assume that lighting becomes...

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Is the NEEWER HB80C the Most Versatile Light in My Kit? cinematography filmmaking interview lighting lighting Aug 24, 2026

Is the NEEWER HB80C the Most Versatile Light in My Kit?

I already own lights that are smaller, brighter, and more powerful. But after using the NEEWER HB80C on several real productions, I found th...

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How to Light Interviews in a Glass Conference Room cinematography corporate filmmaking exposure interview lighting natural light Jul 27, 2026

How to Light Interviews in a Glass Conference Room

Glass conference rooms give you plenty of natural light—but without control, all that light can flatten the subject, erase contrast, and make ever...

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How I Shoot Interviews in Bad Locations camera settings cinematography corporate filmmaking interview lighting location scouting Jul 13, 2026

How I Shoot Interviews in Bad Locations

You do not need a perfect location to create a professional interview. You need a process—and that process begins with the frame, not the lights.

As corpor...

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Cinematic Lighting Isn’t About the Lights cinematography corporate filmmaking false color interview lighting motivated lighting Jun 29, 2026

Cinematic Lighting Isn’t About the Lights

The strongest interview images begin with reading the room, choosing a visual direction, and using light to support it.

When I arrive at a location to fil...

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How I Created Two Different Interview Looks in One Living Room cinematography corporate filmmaking interview lighting lighting breakdown natural light Apr 08, 2026

How I Created Two Different Interview Looks in One Living Room

Five interviews, one room, and a travel-sized lighting package. Here is how I used framing, daylight, contrast, and a strategic reset...

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