The Top 50 YouTube Channels for Learning Cinematography & Filmmaking
These YouTube Channels Will Teach You Everything You Need to Know About Cinematography & Filmmaking
Rob Ellis
@RobEllisCinematographer
https://www.youtube.com/@RobEllisCinematographer
Rob is a UK-based cinematographer who shares easy-to-follow tutorials in a clear a concise way.
Robert Machado
@robchado
https://www.youtube.com/@robchado
Robert is a Las Vegas-based Director of Photography whose channel covers things like lighting breakdowns and general life as a DP.
Lewis Potts
@lewispotts
https://www.youtube.com/@lewispotts
Lewis is based in Australia and his YouTube goes over a variety of topics including plenty of lighting breakdowns from his own work and others.
Wandering DP
@wanderingdp
https://youtube.com/@wanderingdp
Patrick O'Sullivan is another Australian-based DP and his channel mainly focuses on breaking down commercials and giving us an insight into commercial DP life.
Gian Carlo Stigliano
@carlostigs
https://www.youtube.com/@carlostigs
Gian's channel covers a bit of everything from lighting breakdowns to full behind-the-scenes, as well as important topics such as mental and physical health working in this industry.
ponysmasher
@ponysmasher
https://www.youtube.com/@ponysmasher
When David F. Sandberg isn't making massive Hollywood blockbusters such Shazam! he still takes the time to make YouTube videos and shares his process and other behind-the-scenes tips as a filmmaker.
Danny Gevirtz
@DannyGevirtz
https://www.youtube.com/@DannyGevirtz
Danny's channel is a fantastic place to go if you're looking for inspiration on your filmmaking journey, especially if you're not going the traditional route.
Gaffer & Gear
@gaffergear
https://www.youtube.com/@gaffergear
Andrew's YouTube is a brilliant place to look if you're on the market for a new piece of lighting gear as he does some great in depth reviews
Anamorphic on a Budget
@AnamorphicOnABudget
https://www.youtube.com/@AnamorphicOnABudget
The name probably speaks for itself but Tito's channel covers all things anamorphic and it's well worth checking out if you're looking to build your own rig
Spenser Sakurai
@spensersakurai
https://www.youtube.com/@spensersakurai
Last but not least, Spenser's YouTube covers a lot of cinematography topics but he also covers his directing work and has plenty of behind-the-scenes content.
D4Darious
@D4Darious
https://www.youtube.com/@D4Darious
Darious' channel gives us a great look into his life as a filmmaker with plenty of behind-the-scenes and tutorials. The amount of effort that goes into his animations is incredible!
Vuhlandes
@vuhlandes
https://www.youtube.com/@vuhlandes
Vuhlandes's eye for composition and lighting really sets his channel apart for me. His creative approach to tutorials and explanations are well worth checking out.
wolfcrow
@wolfcrow
https://www.youtube.com/@wolfcrow
Wolfcrow has a whole variety of videos from tutorials to video essays and they also range from the technical to the theoretical. His subtle sense of humour is really appreciated as well.
Media Division
@MediaDivision
https://www.youtube.com/@MediaDivision
The Media Division channel is well worth checking out if you're looking for a deep dive into some long-form videos on filmmaking. These are some of the most technical and in-depth videos out there.
Mark Bone
@markbone
https://www.youtube.com/@markbone
Mark's channel covers a lot of different aspects of filmmaking, however, he specialises in documentaries. If you're interested in the directing side of things I'd definitely recommend taking a look.
ANDBERY
@ANDBERY
https://www.youtube.com/@ANDBERY
Andbery's channel offers some great behind-the-scenes and lighting breakdowns. It dives deep into how certain looks are created and the motivation behind them.
Chris Herr
@chrisherr
https://www.youtube.com/@chrisherr
Chris's channel covers a lot from behind the scenes on set, a fair amount on professional gimbal operating as well as general life as a camera operator.
Brandon Li
@BrandonLiUnscripted
https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonLiUnscripted
Brandon's channel includes a bunch of videos solo filmmaking and gimbal operating, as well as plenty more.
YCImaging
@YCImaging
https://www.youtube.com/@YCImaging
Chrystopher's channel has evolved a lot over the years, I learnt so much about making solo music videos from him but there are loads of other tutorials on lighting, editing and filmmaking in general.
Jacques Crafford
@jacques_crafford
https://www.youtube.com/@jacques_crafford
Jacques' YouTube has plenty of lighting tutorials as well as plenty on working as a solo operator and other behind-the-scenes content
Joshua Kendell Martin
@CineDailies
https://www.youtube.com/@CineDailies
Joshua's channel features a fair amount of gear reviews and practical tips, you may recognise him from the work he does with Movement and he's able to offer some great insight as a filmmaker and content creator.
Tyler Edwards
@TylerEdwards
https://www.youtube.com/@TylerEdwards
Tyler's channel offers a solid variety of behind-the-scenes, gear reviews and practical camera and lighting tips. I particularly appreciate his lighting breakdowns.
Brandon Y Lee
@brandonylee
https://www.youtube.com/@brandonylee
I believe Brandon has only recently launched this personal channel but you may be aware of him from his other work in the YouTube space. He's already been sharing some great insight and I'm looking forward to seeing how the channel develops.
Brittney Janae
@BrittneyJanae
https://www.youtube.com/@BrittneyJanae
As a DP, cam op, filmmaker and general all-around creative, Brittney is able to share a whole variety of useful content on her channel from behind-the-scenes breakdowns, gear reviews, plenty of tutorials and a lot more.
Scott Peters
@ScottPetersFilms
https://www.youtube.com/@ScottPetersFilms
Scott's work and channel are very new to me but I'm glad the algorithm pointed me in his direction, particularly as UK based filmmaker myself it's great to hear his insight on larger budget productions and it's really useful to see how he breaks down the financial side of these shoots.
In Depth Cine
@indepthcine
https://www.youtube.com/@InDepthCine
Gray's Channel In Depth Cine is a great resource for those just getting started in the world of cinematography. He's able to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand tutorials and video essays.
Brandon Washington
@bwashmedia
https://www.youtube.com/@bwashmedia
On Brandon's channel, you'll find plenty of filmmaking tips and tutorials as well as gear reviews and much more. If you're a mobile creator, I'd definitely recommend you take a look at his recent video on Canva.
Dunna Did It
@dunnadidit
https://www.youtube.com/@dunnadidit
Dunna's channel has a whole collection of tutorials, gear reviews and general filmmaking tips. There are also plenty of DaVinci Resolve related videos as well if you're looking for those.
lacapturevisuals
@lacapturevisuals
https://www.youtube.com/@DesireLACAPTURE
You may have seen Desire's short-form content before but she also has a great YouTube channel where she shares plenty of longer-form tips and tutorials on filmmaking and content creation.
Patrick Tomasso
@impatrickt
https://www.youtube.com/@impatrickt
Patricks's channel offers a great variety of video essays, tutorials and reviews. I particularly enjoy the analysis of films he shares & I'd highly recommend checking out his recent video with Oren Soffer.
Epic Light Media
@epiclightmedia
https://www.youtube.com/@EpicLightMedia
Epic Light Media as the name suggests, has some great lighting tutorials on their channel as well as a load of general filmmaking tips and gear reviews.
Moji Wilson
@mojiwilson
https://www.youtube.com/@MojiWilson
I found Moji's work through Morgan Cooper's short film "U Shoot Videos" & his channel features some great cinematography related content including kit breakdowns, BTS & more.
Scott Jeschke
@scottjeschkefilm
https://www.youtube.com/@ScottJeschke
I first found Scott's channel when I got my a7iii many years ago now, as he has some great videos on shooting with HLG picture profiles, but he also has plenty of general cinematography tutorials & lighting breakdowns.
atola visuals
@atolavisuals
https://www.youtube.com/@atolavisuals
Kitty's channel is full of gear reviews as well as general filmmaking content. If you're considering starting a YouTube channel, Kitty also has a great course available over on MZed.
Gerald Undone
@geraldundone
https://www.youtube.com/@geraldundone
Geralds channel is usually my first stop when considering purchasing a new piece of gear as he does some of the most comprehensive reviews on the platform.
Kofi Yeboah
@KofiYeboah
https://www.youtube.com/@KofiYeboah
Kofi's channel is full of cinematography and general filmmaking videos, including lighting tutorials, the business side of things, alongside plenty of gear reviews.
Brady Bessette
@BradyBessette
https://www.youtube.com/@BradyBessette
I've been following Brady since he first started sharing tutorials and it's been great to see how much his channel has developed and gone from strength to strength. He has a whole range of cinematography videos to add to your watch list.
Lila
@lilafromyoutube
https://www.youtube.com/@lilafromyoutube
Lila's channel has a whole variety of videos; from filmmaking tips, to editing tutorials & gear reviews. There is something for everyone & I definitely recommend checking it out.
MAKE. ART. NOW.
@MAKEARTNOWCHANNEL
https://www.youtube.com/@MAKEARTNOWCHANNEL
Josh has been able to find a great blend with his channel between technical and creative filmmaking tips, alongside narrative storytelling. I feel like this sets his channel apart from most.
Blake Ridder
@BlakeRidder
https://www.youtube.com/@BlakeRidder
Blake's channel feels like a whole filmmaking school within itself. Not only is it full of lighting and other filmmaking tutorials, there are also tonnes of short films and behind-the-scenes for them.
Chris Franklin
https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisFranklinJr
@chris.franklin.jr
Chris's channel is full of cinematography and general filmmaking videos. There's a fair amount of the technical side covered as well as a bit on business and some post-production tips as well.
PDMokry
https://www.youtube.com/@PDMokry
@PDMokry
Piotr's channel has some great behind-the-scenes along with plenty of other DP and gaffer-related tutorials. I'd definitely recommend taking a look at his in-depth guide for top-down set-ups and tube lights.
Life Of Riza
@LifeOfRiza
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeOfRiza/videos
Kariza's channel has been blowing up recently and it's easy to see why. While not having an overly technical focus like some of my other recommendations, her creative approach to storytelling offers something that's often missing from most YouTube channels and it's great to see.
The DP Journey
@THEDPJOURNEY
https://www.youtube.com/@THEDPJOURNEY
The DP journey was recently recommended to me and I'm glad to be able to share it. There are some great cinematography-related videos here, including tips for mobile as well as cameras like the S5 and FX3.
Thank you @loannesmarc for the recommendation
Blaine Westropp
@BlaineWestropp1
https://www.youtube.com/@BlaineWestropp1/videos
Blaine has some great cinematography-related videos on his channel, including lens and other gear reviews, alongside plenty of other practical tutorials that are definitely worth checking out.
Matt Porwoll Cinematography
@matt-porwoll
https://www.youtube.com/@matt-porwoll
I was so pleased when the algorithm pointed me in Matt's direction. You may recognise his name from documentaries like Cartel Land which he shot and it was awarded for it's cinematography. He has some incredibly in-depth tutorials & I'd highly recommend his recent documentary lighting series.
Justin Phillip
@JustinPhillip
https://www.youtube.com/@JustinPhillip
Justin's channel is such a fantastic source of information from someone who genuinely knows what they're talking about. It mostly focuses on the cinematography side of things and you will find so many useful videos.
Alexandra Robinson
@AlexandraRobinson
https://www.youtube.com/@AlexandraRobinson
Alexandra's channel is a perfect example of how a filmmaker can demonstrate their storytelling and creativity through YouTube. I'd definitely recommend checking it out if you're looking for something different than the usual gear and tutorial videos.
theC47
@theC47
https://www.youtube.com/@theC47
You will find so many useful things on the c47 channel, including camera and lighting tips, as well as kit reviews & other videos on things like tips for craft services and book recommendations.
ZY Cheng
@zy_cheng
https://www.youtube.com/@zy_cheng
Cheng's YouTube channel features loads of gear reviews on cameras, lenses, audio kit, you name it; as well as plenty of other film tech videos and general filmmaking tips.