NextLens
Owen Hamilton - Camera | NextLens
Special | 1m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
Owen Hamilton explains how aspect ratio, framing, and camera movement shape how a story is felt.
The camera is more than a tool — it’s the storyteller’s voice. Charleston Director of Photography Owen Hamilton explains how aspect ratio, framing, and camera movement shape how audiences feel a story. Whether you’re choosing a widescreen format to highlight the environment or a square frame to isolate emotion, each decision helps define tone and meaning.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
NextLens is a local public television program presented by SCETV
NextLens
Owen Hamilton - Camera | NextLens
Special | 1m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
The camera is more than a tool — it’s the storyteller’s voice. Charleston Director of Photography Owen Hamilton explains how aspect ratio, framing, and camera movement shape how audiences feel a story. Whether you’re choosing a widescreen format to highlight the environment or a square frame to isolate emotion, each decision helps define tone and meaning.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThe camera conveys information, visceral understanding and tone.
This is visual storytelling and a fundamental part of filmmaking.
I'm Owen Hamilton, a director of photography in Charleston, and I'm here to help NextLens filmmakers.
A director of photography is in charge of capturing the story through the camera with camera work and lighting.
One of the first choices you'll make with the camera is aspect ratio.
Aspect ratio is the size of the frame you're using to tell your story.
You want the world to be widescreen, where the environment is a part of the story, or a more squared off image to try and isolate the characters.
You can play with genre tropes, lean into a still photo vibe, or take a documentary approach.
Aspect ratio works hand in hand with the type of coverage you choose to shoot and the way you move the camera to tell your story.
As with any creative decision, there's no correct choice.
Just remember to always serve the story first.
For more production resources and information on short film submissions, check out scetv.org/nextlens.
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NextLens is a local public television program presented by SCETV