All effects

Cinematic look

Filmic and moody

A cinematic feeling comes from soft backgrounds, longer lenses and light that comes from the side rather than the front.

How to get it

  1. 1

    Use f/2–f/2.8 for separation without losing the whole face.

  2. 2

    Frame a little wider and include the surroundings for context.

  3. 3

    Shoot near sunrise or sunset, or use one main light source from the side.

  4. 4

    Shoot RAW so you can shape colour and contrast afterwards.

Example settings

Focal length35mm – 85mm
Aperturef/2 – f/2.8
Shutter speed1/125 – 1/250 s
ISOLow, or Auto with a limit