When you walk into a camera store and see ten different 50mm lenses, each with a wildly different price tag, what exactly are you paying for? This episode dives deep into that question, unpacking the often-overlooked qualities that make one lens wildly different from another, even when they share the same focal length. From distortion and perspective to flares, glares, coatings, and aperture, you’ll get a clear, engaging breakdown of the key features that shape how an image feels, and why those details matter when telling a visual story.
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18:20
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18:20
Selecting A Lens
We often think of camera lenses in terms of how much of the scene they capture: wide for big spaces, long for faraway subjects. But what if that’s only scratching the surface? In this episode, we challenge the common assumptions around focal length and reveal how lenses aren’t just tools for framing—they’re tools for storytelling. From The Hurt Locker to The Tree of Life, we unpack how lens choice can shape not just what we see, but how we feel. A wide shot with a long lens doesn’t just look different, it feels different. And those feelings can be used with precision, if you know how to speak the language of lenses.
We’ll explore how focal length affects intimacy, movement, distortion, and the emotional proximity between viewer and subject—even in tight, real-world locations. Whether it’s the subtle claustrophobia of Das Boot or the grand tension of Crimson Tide, the lens you choose can make a tight submarine feel like a prison or a palace. This episode takes you beyond technical specs and into the emotional grammar of lenses.
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13:49
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13:49
The Language of lenses
In this episode of Visium we demystify the world of camera lenses by tracing their origins back to a medieval Venetian monk struggling to read. Drawing parallels between our intuitive understanding of everyday physics (like how objects appear smaller with distance) and the fundamental principles of optics, we find that lenses aren't as complex as their reputation suggests. Through accessible examples ranging from the camera obscura to the human eye, we demonstrate how most of us already possess the foundational knowledge to understand these tools that shape every image we see, whether in photography, film, or even realistic paintings.
The episode takes a turn when we discover that lenses are actually not needed to create photographs, a simple hole in a wall can project an image, proving that understanding light behavior is more crucial than memorizing technical specifications. Mastering lenses isn't about technical complexity but about understanding how these tools can serve storytelling. By demystifying concepts like focal length, aperture, and light transmission, this episode empowers filmmakers to move beyond the intimidation factor and engage meaningfully with one of cinema's most fundamental creative decisions.
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16:13
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16:13
Placing the Camera
In this episode we unpack what makes you lean in, and what makes you pull away from a movie? We explore how physical space and emotional instinct intertwine, not just in life, but on screen. We follow the dance of the camera as it draws us near or keeps us at a distance (sometimes without us even realizing it) and consider how those choices shape our experience as an audience.
But this episode goes deeper than just cinematic technique. It offers a look behind the curtain at the complex roles of the writer and director, and the mental shift required to wear each hat well. Filmmakers must first know the emotional engine of a scene before choosing how to capture it visually. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just love watching movies, this episode will change the way you think about the space between the camera and the character, and what it means for the space between you and the story.
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18:41
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18:41
Narrative Perspective
Ever wondered why some stories are just captivating, while others fall flat? In this episode of Visium, we dive into one of filmmaking's most fundamental yet often overlooked aspects: narrative perspective. We explore the crucial difference between seeing a story and experiencing it, unraveling how directors and cinematographers make intentional choices about who's really telling the story in a film.
Through fascinating examples from classic films like Hitchcock's Vertigo to modern masterpieces, we'll discover how the seemingly simple choice of camera placement can completely transform our connection to characters and story. Whether we're placed as distant observers or thrust into a character's innermost thoughts, these perspective choices shape not just what we see, but how we feel – and ultimately, how we experience the story being told.
How do images tell stories? Discover the hidden language everyone understands but few can truly “speak.” Cinematographer and educator Tal Lazar unveils the most sought-after lessons from his workshops at the American Film Institute Conservatory, Columbia University, Sundance and other top institutions. Whether you’re a filmmaker, photographer, or any other visual storyteller, this is your chance to learn how movies communicate through images—and apply it to your own work.
Österreich