9 pro tips for creating cinematic photography

Some photographs instantly feel like scenes from a movie—not just because of their aspect ratio, but because they convey emotion, mood, and story in a single frame. From dramatic lighting and rich colour grading to subtle grain and strong contrast, cinematic photography draws heavily from the language of film.

Today, more photographers are embracing cinematic techniques to elevate their images—shaping light, adjusting camera settings, and using post-production to create atmosphere. In this guide, five visual storytellers share their top tips for creating cinematic photos that feel immersive, expressive, and movie-like—so you can start developing your own.

1. Gather inspiration

The tricky thing about the “cinematic photography” trend is that “cinematic” can be hard to nail down, so start by defining it for yourself. “Cinematic can mean almost anything, from the flat minimal style that’s en vogue now to the high contrast styles of David Fincher,” the Brighton-based artist and author Ian Howorth says. “Watch a lot of movies and see how things are done. Study the use of light, lighting ratios, and when they are applied. If you’re shooting film, a light meter will teach you a lot about light and how ratios work; how you choose to expose has a dramatic effect on your shots.”

Start putting together a mood or inspiration board, and see if any themes emerge. “Each cinematographer I admire has different attributes,” Ian admits. “I love Jordan Cronenweth for his incredible use of texture and, of course, high contrast lighting; Roger Deakins for the incredible skill of making his films appear so natural, it’s like they haven’t been lit; Robby Muller for his mastery of colour and composition; and Frederick Elmes for his ballsy use of mood and very soft light.”

2. Shoot during golden hour

Cinematic photos often rely on warm, golden-hour tones or the cool, moody hues of blue hour. Both lighting conditions help create depth, drama, and emotion—especially when shooting with natural light. Photographer Olaia Macías is a strong believer in working with early morning light. “I’d say almost 90% of my photographs are taken at dawn or in the early hours of the morning,” she tells us.

At that time of day, the light is soft yet directional, casting long shadows and adding shape to your scene. Morning fog is also more common, and Olaia uses it to bring a dreamlike, cinematic atmosphere to her images. She draws inspiration from the visual language of The Piano by Jane Campion, as well as the works of Tim Burton and Francis Ford Coppola.

3. Stay out after dark

While many photographers prefer early morning light, golden hour and blue hour occur twice a day—offering opportunities to shoot both at sunrise and sunset. Photographer and filmmaker Natascia Mercurio, known professionally as Natybtw, often begins her work as daylight fades. “I mainly shoot from the sunset into the blue hour and all the way down to a pitch-black sky,” she tells us. “Within each time of night, you’re able to convey different feelings and emphasise different tones.”

Shooting at night opens up creative possibilities with available light sources like street lamps, car headlights, or neon signs—all of which add a cinematic quality to a frame. For street photography, Naty uses only the light already present in the scene. For portraits, she opts for continuous portable LEDs, allowing her to control and preview the direction and quality of the light in real time.

4. Use weather to your advantage

Weather can play a big role in achieving a cinematic look. Naty gravitates toward fog and rain to enhance mood and visual depth. Keep an eye on the forecast—these conditions can completely transform a scene.

In urban settings, shooting just after rainfall can add drama through reflections and wet surfaces, especially when paired with neon lights at night. In rural areas, fog creates a soft, immersive atmosphere reminiscent of classic sci-fi films.

5. Embrace film (even rarer stocks)

The analog photographer Francesco Aglieri Rinella credits his atmospheric shots to the use of negative film, including CineStill800T (night) and Cinestill 50d (daylight), both of which are based on motion picture film. “My favourite films also include much rarer stocks, such as the now discontinued Kodak Portra 100T,” Francesco says. “These particular emulsions have the ability to keep lights and shadows very clear and defined, creating that cinematic look we see in movies with a good amount of contrast.”

Francesco draws inspiration from the films of Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan—a cinematic influence clearly reflected in the images above and below.

6. Try backlighting

Much-loved by filmmakers like Terrence Malick, backlighting creates an enchanted glow around your subject. You can use natural light at the golden hour to create this effect or artificial light after dark, as Francesco did in the portrait above.

7. Open up that aperture

In Ian’s portrait above, the shallow depth of field creates a striking bokeh effect that adds a dreamy, cinematic quality. Using a wide aperture helps blur the background, drawing attention to the subject while creating a sense of depth and separation. You’ll notice a similar use of bokeh in Naty’s portrait below, enhancing the mood and focus of the image.

8. Play with curves

Photographer Diyar Shahbaz often works with vibrant, artificial light sources, making post-production a crucial step in his process. “Mostly, I shoot using neon lights and various other light sources, so I need to make sure the colours are right in post-production,” he tells us.

Before diving into creative edits, it’s essential to start with basic colour correction to ensure consistency and accuracy. Once that foundation is set, you can use colour grading to shape the mood and tone of your image.

The curves adjustment tool is especially effective for cinematic photography. It allows you to fine-tune your shadows, highlights, black point, and white point. A subtle “S” curve can boost contrast, while fine-tuning individual colour channels lets you shift the overall feel—from warm and nostalgic to cool and moody. Diyar uses curves to enhance the mood of his pictures, transforming them from warm to cool and back again.

9. Bring out those complementary colours

When colour grading, consider a complementary palette, such as the always-popular orange and teal/blue combination. You’re not limited to just these two colours, so consult the colour wheel to find a pair that works for you. “People would define my colour palette as the classic teal and orange, but it’s something more: a teal that’s taken to an extreme and an orange that’s bursting with vibrancy and richness,” Naty says.

When colour grading your images, working with complementary colour pairs can instantly add visual interest and a cinematic feel. One of the most popular combinations is teal and orange, known for its striking contrast and emotional depth. But you’re not limited to that—explore the colour wheel to find pairs that suit your style and subject matter. “People would define my colour palette as the classic teal and orange, but it’s something more: a teal that’s taken to an extreme and an orange that’s bursting with vibrancy and richness,” Naty says.

Bold use of complementary colours can elevate your images and create a memorable, film-inspired aesthetic.

Ready to start creating your own cinematic shots?

With these tips and techniques from experienced photographers, you’re ready to bring a filmic quality to your own images—one frame at a time. So grab your camera, play with light, and start creating scenes that feel like they belong on the big screen. And when it’s time to refine those colours and details, Affinity’s powerful photo editing tools can help you shape every shot into something truly cinematic.

About the contributor

Feature Shoot showcases the work of emerging and established photographers worldwide, highlighting those transforming the medium through compelling, cutting-edge projects, with contributions from writers from all over the world.