camera-cinematography

Camera Cinematography

Intentional framing. Lens language. Motivated camera moves. Shot-ready cameras.

When to Use

• Cinematic stills and turntables with purpose
• Animated camera moves (dolly, crane, orbit, handheld)
• Matching reference camera / lens feel
• Shot layout for lookdev and portfolio

Workflow

Shot intent → Camera + target empty → Lens/FOV → Composition
  → Focus/DoF → Move (if animated) → Viewport check → Render/comp

Naming

• CAM_[Shot]_[Angle]
• EMPTY_CamTarget_[Shot]
• Collection: COL_Cameras

Lens Guide

Feel	Focal (FF equiv)	Notes
Wide establishing	18–28mm	Distortion; watch edges
Story / product	35–50mm	Natural
Portrait / hero	85–135mm	Compression
Tele drama	150mm+	Flat space

Sensor fit and resolution affect FOV — set camera sensor intentionally.

Composition Checklist

• Subject readable in silhouette
• Headroom / lead room intentional
• Horizon level (unless motivated)
• Foreground / mid / background depth
• Avoid tangent mergers on edges

Camera Animation

Move	Use
Orbit	Product / character showcase
Dolly in	Reveal / tension
Crane	Scale / establishing
Handheld noise	Documentary / horror unease
Locked off	Archviz / product purity

Animate camera + target empties; prefer slow ease-in/out.

DoF

• Focus on primary subject empty
• F-stop for style: shallow for hero, deeper for environments
• Preview in Eevee; final in Cycles if needed

Constraints

MUST DO

• Name cameras and targets
• Match aspect ratio to delivery
• Check framing at start, mid, end of moves

MUST NOT DO

• Default 50mm for every shot without intent
• Animate FOV wildly unless motivated
• Crop critical silhouette out of frame

Reference Guide

Topic	Reference	Load When
Lens And Composition	references/lens-and-composition.md	When needed
Camera Move Library	references/camera-move-library.md	When needed
Dof Guide	references/dof-guide.md	When needed