Why This Man Is The Greatest Cinematographer Working Today

Emmanuel Lubezki Cinematography Breakdown — We look at the work of one of the most celebrated cinematographers ever.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Emmanuel Lubezki's Cinematography
00:53 - Lubezki's Background
02:21 - Natural Light
06:27 - Complex Mobile Camera Work
09:58 - Equipment Choices
13:18 - Takeaways

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CHIVO'S CINEMATOGRAPHY STYLE

Emmanuel Lubezki is one of the most celebrated cinematographers of the 21st century. He is behind the cinematography of "The Tree of Life," "Children of Men," "Birdman," "The Revenant," and many other eye-popping works. What makes Chivo's cinematography style so distinct and impactful? In this video, we dive into the signature Lubezki look, how it's achieved, and what we can learn from it.

EMMANUEL LUBESKI LIGHTING

Lubezki is perhaps best known for his use of natural light. Having come to reject the heavily stylized lighting setups common in Hollywood, Lubezki prefers the realism and unpredictability of available light sources. This choice places characters physically and emotionally within the world they inhabit, making the cinematography feel organic rather than artificial.

CHIVO CAMERA MOVEMENT

Lubezki’s camera is almost always in motion, creating a sense of fluidity and improvisation. He often uses long, unbroken takes to immerse the viewer in the characters' experiences. This approach requires incredible coordination between the camera, lighting, and actors. It's important to note that Lubezki uses movement not merely as a visual trick but as a storytelling tool.

CHIVO CINEMATOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

Lubezki’s technical choices have evolved over his career, reflecting both advancements in technology and his pursuit of naturalism after the 1990s. Initially shooting on film, he later transitioned to digital formats since they allowed greater flexibility in low-light conditions and longer takes. Lubezki also favors wide-angle lenses. These lenses exaggerate perspective and create a sense of intimacy, especially in handheld or Steadicam shots (which he's a big fan of). The wide field of view allows the audience to observe characters within their full environment.

Looking at his body of work, it's no wonder why Chivo is one of the most revered living cinematographers. His style is both inimitable and consistently in service of the story he's telling. That's pretty much the idea DP.


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♬ SONGS USED:

"High Rollin'" - Stefano Mastronardi
"Motherhood" - Alexandre Desplat
"Dirty Walk" - Antonio Sanchez
"Animātiō" - Mike Steele
"Prelude in E Minor (Op. 28 No. 4)" - Ada Ragimov
"Still Need Syndrome" - Yarin Primak
"Inquisitions" - Kevin Graham
"Life's Journey Begins" - idokay
"I Prelude" - Brooklyn Classical
"The Revenant Theme 2" - Ryuichi Sakamoto
"The Swan" - Alon Peretz
"Clear Escape" - Harbor Fate
"British News Team" - Lance Conrad
"1986" - Angel Salazar
"Doors and Distance" - Antonio Sanchez
"The Revenant Main Theme" - Ryuichi Sakamoto
"Anime" - Magiksolo

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