The Wandering DP Podcast

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 FSF Website: Adam Frisch FSF [https://www.adamfrisch.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonjoffin@adamfrisch [https://www.instagram.com/adamfrischfsf] The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #492 – THe Road to 500 (#140 – Adam Frisch FSF) [http://wanderingdp.com/podcast/the-wandering-dp-podcast-episode-492-the-road-to-500-140-adam-frisch-fsf/] appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials [http://wanderingdp.com].

In this episode, we revisit a past conversation with cinematographer Jon Chema that originally aired in Episode #66 [https://wanderingdp.com/podcast/wandering-dp-podcast-episode-66-dp-jon-chema/], 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 [https://wanderingdp.com/podcast/wandering-dp-podcast-episode-66-dp-jon-chema/] 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 DP [//wanderingdp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/4k_Course_Master.jpg] It’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 Courses [https://wanderingdp.teachable.com/] Use the following coupon code at check out: BDAY11 If 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 Courses [https://wanderingdp.teachable.com/] FEATURED GUEST - CINEMATOGRAPHER JON CHEMA Website: Jon Chema [https://www.jonchema.com/] Instagram: @jchema [https://www.instagram.com/jchema/] The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #491 – The Road to 500 (#66 Jon Chema) [http://wanderingdp.com/podcast/the-wandering-dp-podcast-episode-491-the-road-to-500-66-jon-chema/] appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials [http://wanderingdp.com].

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 cinematography * Lessons from directing and why he walked away from it * Learning on set: the real-world film school * Crafting a unique visual style in documentary work * Navigating client relationships and agency dynamics * Project selection: artistic alignment over quantity * Collaborating with directors and adapting to their vision * Working with small crews vs. large productions * Camera and lens selection as workflow tools * The role of intuition vs. technical mastery * Challenges with color grading and post workflows * Advice for aspiring DPs: team building, sacrifice, and growth Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast Series 03:13 – Evolution of the Podcast 06:08 – The Shift to Visual Mediums 09:07 – Looking Back at Past Episodes 11:52 – Guest Introduction: Isaac Bowman 14:47 – Isaac's Journey to Cinematography 17:47 – Learning the Craft on Set 20:57 – Technical Skills and Intuition 23:53 – Transitioning to Professional Work 27:04 – Documentary Filmmaking Insights 35:50 – Creating a Bold Visual Style 42:13 – Navigating Client Relationships and Agency Dynamics 47:48 – Choosing Projects: Quality Over Quantity 51:33 – Collaborating with Directors: Finding the Balance 59:47 – Adapting to Different Project Types 01:04:54 – Working with Small vs. Large Crews 01:05:39 – Choosing the Right Camera 01:11:10 – Lens Selection and Workflow 01:17:40 – Building a Reliable Team 01:23:15 – Color Grading Challenges 01:33:08 – Advice for Aspiring DPs Listen now and rediscover the timeless lessons that shape great cinematography. FEATURED GUEST - CINEMATOGRAPHER ISAAC BAUMAN Website: Isaac Bauman [https://www.isaacbauman.com/] Instagram: @isaacbauman [https://www.instagram.com/isaacbauman/] The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #490 – The Road to 500 (#44 Isaac Bauman) [http://wanderingdp.com/podcast/the-wandering-dp-podcast-episode-490-the-road-to-500-44-isaac-bauman/] appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials [http://wanderingdp.com].

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 COVERED The 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 crew The 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 count Team 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 image CORE MESSAGE Cinematography 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 VISUALS All cinematography breakdowns are now hosted on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/wanderingdp] to avoid conflicts with productions and to keep the breakdown series alive. Visit wanderingdp.com [https://www.wanderingdp.com] for more information and links. SUPPORT THE PODCAST If 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 [http://wanderingdp.com/podcast/the-wandering-dp-podcast-episode-489-arranging-deck-chairs/] appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials [http://wanderingdp.com].

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 ASC Website: Lachlan Milne ASC [https://www.lachlanmilne.com/] Instagram: @lachlanmilne [https://www.instagram.com/lachlanmilne] The post The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #488 – Lachlan Milne ASC (Re-visited) [http://wanderingdp.com/podcast/the-wandering-dp-podcast-episode-488-lachlan-milne-asc-re-visited/] appeared first on Cinematography Podcast & Tutorials [http://wanderingdp.com].