Complete Guide to Cinematography in AI Video Generation
Cinematography is the art and craft of visual storytelling through camera work, lighting, and composition. This comprehensive guide teaches you how to apply professional cinematography principles to create stunning AI-generated videos with Sora 2.
Understanding Camera Basics
The foundation of cinematography starts with understanding how cameras capture images. Even though Sora 2 generates videos without physical cameras, using proper camera terminology helps it understand your vision.
Shot Sizes and Framing
Shot size determines how much of the subject and environment is visible in the frame:
Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
Shows the entire environment with the subject as a small element. Perfect for establishing locations and showing scale.
Example: "Extreme wide shot of a lone hiker on a vast mountain ridge, surrounded by snow-capped peaks"
Wide Shot (WS)
Shows the subject full body in their environment. Good for action sequences and establishing character positions.
Example: "Wide shot of a dancer performing in an empty theater, full body visible from head to toe"
Medium Shot (MS)
Shows subject from waist up. Most common for dialogue and general scene work.
Example: "Medium shot of a chef cooking in a restaurant kitchen, framed from the waist up"
Close-Up (CU)
Shows just the subject's face or a specific object in detail. Conveys emotion and focuses attention.
Example: "Close-up of a woman's face showing tears rolling down her cheek, emotional lighting"
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
Shows minute details - eyes, hands, small objects. Creates intimacy or tension.
Example: "Extreme close-up of weathered hands carefully holding a delicate flower"
Camera Angles
The angle from which you shoot dramatically affects how viewers perceive the subject:
Eye Level
Neutral perspective. Camera at subject's eye height. Most natural and commonly used.
Low Angle
Camera looks up at subject. Makes them appear powerful, dominant, or imposing.
High Angle
Camera looks down at subject. Makes them appear vulnerable, small, or weak.
Dutch/Canted Angle
Camera tilted on its axis. Creates disorientation, tension, or unease.
Bird's Eye
Directly overhead. Shows spatial relationships and patterns from above.
Worm's Eye
From ground level looking up. Exaggerates height and creates drama.
Camera Movement Techniques
Movement adds dynamism and guides viewer attention. Each movement type serves specific storytelling purposes.
Static/Locked-Off Shot
Camera remains completely still. Creates stability, formality, or allows subject movement to dominate.
Best for: Formal interviews, architectural shots, allowing complex action to play out
Pan
Horizontal rotation left or right. Reveals space, follows action, or creates connections between elements.
Best for: Revealing landscapes, following moving subjects, scanning environments
Tilt
Vertical rotation up or down. Shows height, follows vertical action, or creates reveals.
Best for: Showing tall structures, character reveals, vertical movement
Dolly/Tracking
Camera moves forward, backward, or alongside subject. Creates smooth, cinematic movement.
Best for: Following characters, revealing details progressively, building tension
Crane/Jib
Vertical camera movement up or down. Adds production value, shows scale, creates grand reveals.
Best for: Epic establishing shots, dramatic reveals, showing scope
Steadicam
Smooth handheld movement. Follows characters fluidly through complex spaces.
Best for: Following characters, creating immersion, natural movement
Handheld
Deliberately shaky, documentary-style. Adds realism, urgency, or intimacy.
Best for: Documentary feel, action sequences, subjective POV
Mastering Lighting
Lighting is perhaps the most important element of cinematography. It sets mood, directs attention, creates depth, and tells emotional stories.
Three-Point Lighting System
The foundation of professional lighting:
Key Light
Main light source. Strongest light that defines the subject's form and creates primary shadows.
Fill Light
Secondary light that softens shadows created by key light. Controls contrast ratio.
Back Light / Hair Light
Behind subject, creates edge illumination. Separates subject from background, adds depth.
Natural Light Times
Golden Hour
First hour after sunrise, last hour before sunset. Warm, soft, magical quality. Most popular for cinematic shots.
Blue Hour
Twilight before sunrise, after sunset. Cool, dreamy atmosphere. Excellent for cityscapes and moody shots.
Midday
Harsh overhead sun. Strong shadows, high contrast. Challenging but can create dramatic effects.
Night
Artificial lights, moonlight, or darkness. Requires careful exposure. Great for dramatic, moody scenes.
Composition Rules
Rule of Thirds
Divide frame into 9 equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place important elements along these lines or at their intersections for balanced, professional composition.
Leading Lines
Use natural or architectural lines to guide viewer's eye toward the subject. Roads, rivers, fences, hallways all create leading lines.
Depth and Layers
Create depth by including foreground, middle ground, and background elements. This adds dimensionality to your frame.
Apply These Techniques
Use Sora 2 Prompt Optimizer to incorporate professional cinematography into your prompts automatically.