How to improve your Cinematography…without film school
As a filmmaker, DP, or videographer—whatever label you choose—standing out in the crowded film industry requires constant growth and learning. Every year, I reflect on ways to improve my work and grow my production company. Today, I’m sharing that roadmap with you. If you’re wondering how to improve your cinematography, how to be a better filmmaker, or simply how to get better at cinematography, you’re in the right place.
Before diving into these strategies, I encourage you to watch the accompanying YouTube video I created. It covers everything I’ve learned over the past year and offers additional insights to help you elevate your craft.
1. Simplifying Camera Gear
As someone with a deep love for camera gear (and a YouTube channel where I review it), I admit that settling on a camera system was a challenge. Every camera has its own learning curve—from navigating menus to understanding exposure for LOG footage. But I learned an important lesson: mastery of your tools leads to mastery of your craft.
I decided to commit to one camera system, the RED Komodo. By focusing on just one system, I learned it inside and out: how to expose properly, how to rig it, and how to troubleshoot issues. This focus allowed me to:
Reduce technical stress on shoots.
Focus on capturing the best shots instead of fumbling with gear.
Elevate my work on larger projects.
For example, when I landed a job for Peterbilt Trucks, the client requested the RED Gemini or V-Raptor. Thanks to my deep familiarity with RED’s ecosystem, I could rent the RED V-Raptor and operate it with confidence. If I had tried to jump into an unfamiliar system, I would have struggled. But because I stuck with the Komodo, I was ready.
Takeaway: To improve your cinematography, choose one camera system and learn it thoroughly. It will pay dividends when high-pressure jobs come your way.
2. Slowing Down on Set
In filmmaking, it’s easy to feel rushed. Whether you’re fighting daylight or dealing with unforeseen delays, the pressure can lead to mistakes. Last year, I made a conscious effort to slow down on set.
When I felt rushed, I paused, took a deep breath, and assessed the situation. I asked myself:
What needs to happen to get the best possible result?
How can I delegate tasks to my team?
This shift made a world of difference:
Lighting setups became cleaner and more professional.
Camera movements became smoother and more intentional.
Composition improved across the board.
Slowing down doesn’t mean wasting time. It means being intentional, focused, and deliberate. By eliminating the self-imposed feeling of urgency, I noticed a tangible improvement in my cinematography.
Tip: Take a breath. Step back. Think through your shot, your lighting, and your approach. The results will show in your work.
3. Limiting Areas of Improvement
Filmmaking is an all-encompassing career. There’s always something new to learn: lighting, directing, editing, color grading, sound design, storytelling—the list goes on. At times, the sheer number of skills to master can feel overwhelming.
That’s where I took advice from John Maxwell’s Make Today Count: focus on just one or two areas of improvement at a time. For me, I chose lighting and editing.
Here’s how I approached it:
Studying Others: I analyzed other filmmakers’ work, watched lighting breakdowns on YouTube, and dissected cinematography diagrams on Instagram.
Practicing Relentlessly: On every shoot, I applied what I learned—even when budgets didn’t call for complex setups.
Reflecting on My Work: I reviewed projects to see where my lighting and editing had improved and where I still needed growth.
This focused approach paid off. My lighting setups became more intentional and creative, and my edits felt tighter and more polished. By limiting my focus, I saw noticeable progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Pro Tip: Pick two areas of filmmaking to focus on this year—whether it’s lighting, directing, or camera movement—and go all-in on improving them.
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4. Shooting More Work Than Ever Before
You’ve heard the phrase: practice makes perfect. It’s true for cinematography, too. To improve, you need to shoot as much as possible.
Last year, I shot more projects than I had in the previous two years combined. Here’s how I stayed active:
Client Work: Every opportunity—big or small—was a chance to practice.
Passion Projects: I worked on personal projects, like short films, to stay creative and try new techniques.
YouTube Videos: Even filming for my channel gave me a chance to improve.
Helping Others: I collaborated with friends on their projects to gain fresh perspectives and experience.
I didn’t shoot every single week—sometimes I needed a break—but consistency was key. The more I filmed, the better I got. And by the end of the year, I could confidently look back and see noticeable growth in my work.
Takeaway: If you want to get better at cinematography, film as much as possible. Practice truly is the best teacher.
5. Collaborating with Others
For a long time, I felt like I had to do everything myself. But last year, I learned that collaboration can elevate your work to a whole new level.
Here’s how working with talented people improved my filmmaking:
Fresh Perspectives: Crew members suggested angles or lighting tweaks I hadn’t considered.
Friendly Competition: Being surrounded by skilled people pushed me to do my best work.
Positive Energy: A strong team brought excitement and motivation to every project.
Sure, I could have handled many jobs solo and made more money, but I would have missed out on these invaluable benefits. Collaborating not only made the final product better but also made the process more enjoyable.
If you want to be a better filmmaker, surround yourself with talented people who inspire and challenge you. You’ll grow faster than you ever could alone.
Final Thoughts on How to Improve Your Cinematography
Improving your cinematography isn’t just about mastering gear or nailing the technical aspects. It’s about developing intentional habits that push you to grow. Whether it’s simplifying your tools, slowing down on set, or collaborating with others, every step you take adds up to meaningful progress.
To recap, here are the five strategies I shared today:
Simplify your gear and master your camera system.
Slow down on set to focus on quality.
Limit your focus to one or two areas of improvement.
Shoot more work than ever before.
Collaborate with talented people to elevate your craft.
If you take away just one thing, it’s this: growth as a filmmaker happens one step at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Focus on consistent improvement, and you’ll see results.