The camera conveys information, visceral understanding, and tone. This is visual storytelling and a fundamental part of filmmaking.
I'm Owen Hamilton, a director of photography in Charleston, and I'm here to help Next Lens filmmakers. A director of photography is responsible for capturing the story through camera work and lighting.
One of the first choices you’ll make with the camera is aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the size of the frame you're using to tell your story.
You might choose a widescreen format where the environment becomes part of the story, or a more squared-off image that isolates the characters. You can play with genre tropes, lean into a still-photo vibe, or take a documentary approach.
Aspect ratio works hand in hand with your coverage choices and how you move the camera to tell your story. As with any creative decision, there’s no correct choice—only what best serves the story.
Learn more about how to submit your film to the 2026 NextLens Online Film Festival.
