what are the biggest mistakes Photographer make while learning cinematography

Today, since we have started having video making capabilities in our Photography cameras a lot of Photographers are exploring the cinematography side of this creative visual art. It's become easier for photographers to make a switch over or manage both photography and cinematography as a part of their business or career as. freelancer. Ofcourse having a good command over the high end cinema cameras does take time but its important to understand few very basic aspects that distinguishly differentiate the two. Some of the common mistakes photographers may make when learning cinematography:

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Assuming that photography and cinematography are the same:

While photography and cinematography share some similarities, they are also quite different. Photography is about capturing a single moment in time, while cinematography involves telling a story through a sequence of images. Both have their own challenges. Let's say, if you need to convey a particular message or create a particular mood, you need to sum it up in one shot. You may shoot a number of images and pick up the one best shot which reflects the required Image. On the other hand, in a video, you need to be sure that the whole concept in terms of the location, lighting and expressions continues to stay correct as long as that scene lasts. You also need to synch the visuals being shot with the dialoges or music and particualry the duration for which the scene is going to last. If you have 40 seconds to convey something, you can't warp up in 10 seconds or take additional 40 seconds. You have to achieve the desired shot within that time frame.

Not understanding the role of movement:

Unlike photography, which often relies on static images, cinematography frequently involves movement. Photographers who are new to cinematography may struggle to capture movement effectively.

Models may be good at posing and offering a number of variable shots in terms of expressions and body language, a good actor would on the other hand know where to start and where to end while maintaining consistent or variable expressions and body language in synch with the requirement of the scene. He or she has to flow with the movement. It can't be just a static frozen pose of the model or the actor, but there has to a start and an end within every sequence, however short or long it may be.

Failing to pay attention to sound:

Sound is an integral part of cinematography, and photographers who are new to the field may overlook this important aspect. Sound can help to set the mood and tone of a film, and it is important for photographers switching over to cinematography, to learn how to keep pace with the Music. Especially when shooting song sequences or other situations where the music is already recorded and the time frame remains fixed, you need to match the visuals very creatively with what the audience is going to hear. It should also make sense to the audience. You can't possibly be seeing one thing and watching another thing. The pace and flow have to match and of course it has to go with the lyrics.

capturing high-quality audio is a specialisation in itself and same can be assigned to a sound recordist but knowing the basics ofcourse helps out if its a stand-alone production on a budget. But do keep in mind that the sound part is very difficult to recue or improve in the post-production and the best results are often achievable while shooting or dubbing.

Overreliance on post-production:

While post-production can be an important part of the filmmaking process, it should not be used as a crutch to fix mistakes made during filming. Photographers who are new to cinematography should focus on getting things right on set, rather than relying on post-production to fix any mistakes. Remmember, fixing one odd element in one single frame in photoshop is one thing and fixing N number of multiple frames in any video editing software can turn out to be a nightmare. All because you were not careful enough while shooting. A small amount of time while shooting can save several hours and days of work at a later stage. Also, shooting well only adds to your profesionalism and everyone is appreciative about it.

Not Learning the craft of Editing

Even if you dont intend to edit your videos yourself, if you know the skill of editing, it definitely helps you shot better. You know what is expected from the editor to put it all together. For example, an editor would always expect the scene to start a little bit earlier and end a little bit later so that he has the scope to play around as he joins the next scene or joins this one after the previous scene. Knowing about editing helps you understandow relevant time frame is. Every scene has its own strength and siginificance when stitched together. You can't stretch the scenes beyond a point or make them too brief. It should last only as long as it is required and adds to the overall appeal of the video or film.

Not being able to work in a team.

Cinematography and film making involves a much bigger team as compared to an Adverting or fashion shoot. And if you come from the field fo Street, travel or journalism, you are probably used to working individually on your own. Unless you assign and let different crew members do what they are good at and are supposed to handle, it can become almost impossible to shoot a film. This allows everyone to concentrate and put together a common vision of the director who is heading the team and holds everyone together.

Not understanding the technical requirements:

Cinematography involves a lot of technical knowledge, including understanding the different types of lenses, lighting, and camera settings. Photographers who are new to the field should take the time to learn these technical skills to create better films.

Overall, photographers who are new to cinematography need to be prepared to learn a whole new set of skills, and should not assume that their photography skills will automatically translate into successful filmmaking.