The Wandering DP Podcast

This week on the Road to 500 we are releasing the most controversial episode in the history of the podcast.  Not becasue of anything the guest said but rather because we ran out of time and I mentioned making a Part Two to the episode.  Originally airing as Episode #196 with Christopher Probst ASC he shares a tremendous amount of technical knowledge and we didnt have any time to touch on his creative thoughts on cinematography.Maybe we will bring him on as the surprise guest for Episode #500.  Crazier things have happened.Enjoy!Featured Guest - Christopher Probst ASCPersonal Website:  Christopher Probst ASCInstagram: @probstdp The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #493 – The Road to 500 (#196 Christopher Probst ASC) appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

This week on the show we are going back in the archive to when we went to Los Angeles and did a round of interviews in person.  Our guest in this episode was cinematographer Adam Frisch FSF.  This chat originally aired in Episode #140.We cover all sorts of topics from dealing with the complexities of work coming and going to managing a career as a creative.  Adam has had a long career and was open to breaking down what the reality looked like of a cinematographer working in the commercial space over that period of time.Enjoy!Featured Guest - Cinematographer Adam Frisch FSFWebsite: Adam Frisch FSFInstagram: @adamfrisch The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #492 – THe Road to 500 (#140 – Adam Frisch FSF) appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

In this episode, we revisit a past conversation with cinematographer Jon Chema that originally aired in Episode #66, reflecting on the evolution of cinematography and the challenges faced in a PlayStation commercial. The discussion covers various aspects of filmmaking, including collaboration with directors, lighting techniques, the use of practical effects, and the importance of relationships with rental houses. Jon shares insights into his creative process, the technical challenges of shooting, and the significance of maintaining industry connections. Be sure to check out the original show notes page as Jon was kind enough to provide a ton of BTS images from on set plus a wealth of prep documents.Enjoy!Birthday Sale: 11 Years of The Wandering DPIt’s our 11-Year Birthday Sale!To celebrate over a decade of The Wandering DP, every course in the catalogue is 30% OFF this week. Courses - The Wandering DP Cinematography CoursesUse the following coupon code at check out: BDAY11If you’ve been on the fence or waiting for the right time to invest in your cinematography skills, this is your chance. The full library is included, from the foundational lighting and framing breakdowns to advanced commercial workflows and the latest course on Blocking for Vehicle scenes.Each course is built to help you improve faster, make better decisions on set, and approach every project with more clarity and confidence. The sale won’t last long, so if you’ve been meaning to take the leap, now is the time.If you want to learn more about any of the courses check them out here:The Wandering DP Cinematography CoursesFeatured Guest - Cinematographer Jon ChemaWebsite: Jon ChemaInstagram: @jchema The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #491 – The Road to 500 (#66 Jon Chema) appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

In this episode we off a new series leading up to episode 500, reflecting on the evolution of The Wandering DP Podcast and revisiting valuable lessons from past episodes. This week, we are joined by cinematographer Isaac Bauman, who shares his unconventional journey from directing to cinematography and how real-world experience shaped his creative voice.The conversation explores the essential blend of intuition and technical proficiency that defines strong cinematographers. Isaac discusses developing a bold visual style, making creative choices under pressure, and balancing artistic integrity with client and agency demands.Whether you’re shooting documentaries, commercials, or narratives, this episode is packed with practical advice on camera and lens choices, lighting setups, color grading challenges, and building a reliable crew.It also dives into the sacrifices often required to succeed in the film industry and how maintaining a consistent visual style can open professional doors.Enjoy!Key Topics Discussed:Isaac Bowman’s path into cinematographyLessons from directing and why he walked away from itLearning on set: the real-world film schoolCrafting a unique visual style in documentary workNavigating client relationships and agency dynamicsProject selection: artistic alignment over quantityCollaborating with directors and adapting to their visionWorking with small crews vs. large productionsCamera and lens selection as workflow toolsThe role of intuition vs. technical masteryChallenges with color grading and post workflowsAdvice for aspiring DPs: team building, sacrifice, and growthChapters:00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast Series03:13 – Evolution of the Podcast06:08 – The Shift to Visual Mediums09:07 – Looking Back at Past Episodes11:52 – Guest Introduction: Isaac Bowman14:47 – Isaac's Journey to Cinematography17:47 – Learning the Craft on Set20:57 – Technical Skills and Intuition23:53 – Transitioning to Professional Work27:04 – Documentary Filmmaking Insights35:50 – Creating a Bold Visual Style42:13 – Navigating Client Relationships and Agency Dynamics47:48 – Choosing Projects: Quality Over Quantity51:33 – Collaborating with Directors: Finding the Balance59:47 – Adapting to Different Project Types01:04:54 – Working with Small vs. Large Crews01:05:39 – Choosing the Right Camera01:11:10 – Lens Selection and Workflow01:17:40 – Building a Reliable Team01:23:15 – Color Grading Challenges01:33:08 – Advice for Aspiring DPsListen now and rediscover the timeless lessons that shape great cinematography.Featured Guest - Cinematographer Isaac BaumanWebsite: Isaac BaumanInstagram: @isaacbauman The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #490 – The Road to 500 (#44 Isaac Bauman) appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

In this solo episode, I share a simple but powerful tip that’s become part of his standard toolkit on commercial sets: using a floor-based backlight to add polish to a shot quickly and efficiently. While the idea started as a practical trick passed down from Paul Cameron, it opens the door to a much deeper conversation about cinematography, responsibility, and what it really means to care on set.Enjoy!Topics CoveredThe Lighting Technique- How placing a small backlight on the floor behind talent can create fast, effective edge separation- Why this works especially well in interior or studio settings when transitioning from wide to medium shots- Technical breakdown of when it works, when it doesn’t, and how to set it up without getting pushback from crewThe Bigger Picture- Why no one else on set is going to prioritize your image quality—and why that’s not a bug, it’s a feature of the system- Understanding the production hierarchy and learning how to inject energy and care into the process without becoming a nuisance- The cinematographer’s role as someone who rearranges the “deck chairs” on a ship that’s already sailing—and how to make that work countTeam Dynamics- The difference between working with great specialists versus trying to control every variable yourself- How to subtly test whether a director or production has things under control without overstepping- Managing crew resistance to unfamiliar techniques while keeping your focus on the final imageCore MessageCinematography often comes down to finding small, repeatable ways to make things better—even when the broader project isn’t perfect. Whether it’s through a clever lighting setup or a well-timed production conversation, the job is about stacking the odds in your favor. Because no one else will care about the image unless you do.Access the VisualsAll cinematography breakdowns are now hosted on Patreon to avoid conflicts with productions and to keep the breakdown series alive. Visit wanderingdp.com for more information and links.Support the PodcastIf you found this episode useful, consider subscribing, rating, and sharing the show. It helps keep these conversations going. The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #489 – Arranging Deck Chairs appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

This week on the podcast I am on the road so we are going back in to the archive and featuring a past interview with cinematographer Lachlan Milne ASC.  This episode originally came out in 2016 and since then Lachlan has gone from strength to strength in the industry,It has been great following his career and this episode was an insight into his approach to the work and the business.Enjoy!Featured Guest - Cinematographer Lachlan Milne ASCWebsite: Lachlan Milne ASCInstagram: @lachlanmilne The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #488 – Lachlan Milne ASC (Re-visited) appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

Dive into the world of cinematography as personal experiences highlight the journey from gear obsession to mastering blocking and framing. Discover how minimizing friction can enhance collaboration on set, making the filmmaking process smoother. Explore the critical relationship between lighting and storytelling, where effective blocking can significantly elevate a scene's impact. Gain insights on the importance of taking responsibility and mastering foundational techniques for professional growth in this visual storytelling art.

Well, to be fair, I never said I wasn't easily distracted.  I wanted this episode to be a counter argument to what I shared last week in Episode #485, where I laid out how you could pin almost all of the success I have had in my career as coming from a few lucky breaks, with stories about how it was all down to hard work and grind.That was the plan at least.  It didn't turn out that way once I hit the record button.  I got an email from a listener highlighting some AI tools and that is ultimately where this episode went.Is this episode important?  Probably not.  Will it be a good artefact to look back on in 12 months time and see just how clueless I was about the future.  Likely.Enjoy! The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #486 – Hard Work & A.I. appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

Every so often a comment sparks a debate over in the Patreon group and this week on the podcast I am sharing my two cents on the state of the industry if you are just starting out and also what actually moves the needle when it comes to success.I am only a single point of data but better to share my own experiences so that you can cross reference it with yours.  If you are interested in taking the other side of the debate I pose at the end of the episode be sure to reach out and I will try to organize an episode around it.Enjoy!Patreon Breakdown - More with LessOver on Patreon this week we are doing another breakdown in the doing more with less series.Travel jobs are always a unique challenge but this one turned things up a notch by be shorting and crew and short on gear.  We take a look at how you can lean in to certain concepts and ideas on set that allow you to get the most out of what you do have and how to make tricky locations work for you rather than against you.I couldn't do the podcast or the Youtube channel without the support from the Patreon group so many thanks if you do decide to check out the content.If you want to check out the video clink the link below:The Wandering DP Podcast Patreon The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #485 – The Desert of the Real appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.

Cinematographer Pedro Gomez Millan AMC drops in this week for an honest, ground-level chat about what it takes to steer the look of a project when you’re the only DP on the call sheet.We dig into how the conversation with a director evolves from loose references in prep to split-second decisions once the sun starts sliding, and why trusting your first read of a location often beats any lighting diagram you pencilled the night before.Pedro explains the mental juggling act of protecting continuity across an entire series while still letting each scene breathe, and how new tech fits—or doesn’t—into that equation.We also talk about the real life that runs parallel to the images: late-night phone calls with family, learning to pivot when schedules implode, and the quiet relief that comes from a crew that actually speaks the same visual language. Enjoy!New Course LIVE: Cinematography - The Vehicle SeriesThe final course in the B.O.D.V.O. series is now live: The Vehicle Series – Blocking, Framing, & Execution.This installment focuses entirely on the unique challenges of shooting inside cars, trains, planes and anything else that moves. It breaks down the key decisions DPs need to make—long before stepping on set—so you're ready to adapt and execute with confidence. The course is open for one week only, and you can use the link below to check it out and enroll.Here’s why it matters—no matter where you are in your cinematography journey:- Learn to pre-visualize vehicle coverage so you’re not guessing on the day—you're executing a plan.- Understand the gear, framing, and lighting implications of every coverage path, so you can prep smarter and move faster.- Get your reps in advance so you’re not learning under pressure, but showing up ready to deliver.If you want to learn more about the course check it out here:Cinematography: The Vehicle Series - Blocking, Framing, & ExecutionFeatured Guest - Cinematographer Pedro Gomez Millan AMCWebsite: Pedro Gomez Millan AMCInstagram: @pedrogmillan The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #484: Cinematographer Pedro Gomez Millan AMC appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials.