camera-cinematography

$npx mdskill add arjun988/blender-skills/camera-cinematography

Creates cinematic camera setups with intentional framing and motivated moves.

  • Sets up shot-ready cameras with proper lens, composition, and depth of field.
  • Uses Blender's camera, empty targets, and collections via MCP.
  • Selects focal length and framing based on shot intent and feel.
  • Delivers named cameras and empties organized in a collection for rendering.

SKILL.md

.github/skills/camera-cinematographyView on GitHub ↗
---
name: camera-cinematography
description: Cinematic camera work in Blender including framing, lenses, composition, camera animation, and shot language beyond basic rendering setup via MCP.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: https://github.com/arjun988
  version: "1.0.0"
  domain: blender
  role: specialist
  triggers: camera, cinematography, lens, framing, composition, shot, dolly, orbit, focal length, depth of field, camera animation
  related-skills: rendering, lighting, animation, compositing, lookdev
---

# Camera Cinematography

Intentional framing. Lens language. Motivated camera moves. Shot-ready cameras.

## When to Use

- Cinematic stills and turntables with purpose
- Animated camera moves (dolly, crane, orbit, handheld)
- Matching reference camera / lens feel
- Shot layout for lookdev and portfolio

## Workflow

```
Shot intent → Camera + target empty → Lens/FOV → Composition
  → Focus/DoF → Move (if animated) → Viewport check → Render/comp
```

## Naming

- `CAM_[Shot]_[Angle]`
- `EMPTY_CamTarget_[Shot]`
- Collection: `COL_Cameras`

## Lens Guide

| Feel | Focal (FF equiv) | Notes |
|------|------------------|-------|
| Wide establishing | 18–28mm | Distortion; watch edges |
| Story / product | 35–50mm | Natural |
| Portrait / hero | 85–135mm | Compression |
| Tele drama | 150mm+ | Flat space |

Sensor fit and resolution affect FOV — set camera sensor intentionally.

## Composition Checklist

- [ ] Subject readable in silhouette
- [ ] Headroom / lead room intentional
- [ ] Horizon level (unless motivated)
- [ ] Foreground / mid / background depth
- [ ] Avoid tangent mergers on edges

## Camera Animation

| Move | Use |
|------|-----|
| Orbit | Product / character showcase |
| Dolly in | Reveal / tension |
| Crane | Scale / establishing |
| Handheld noise | Documentary / horror unease |
| Locked off | Archviz / product purity |

Animate camera + target empties; prefer slow ease-in/out.

## DoF

- Focus on primary subject empty
- F-stop for style: shallow for hero, deeper for environments
- Preview in Eevee; final in Cycles if needed

## Constraints

### MUST DO
- Name cameras and targets
- Match aspect ratio to delivery
- Check framing at start, mid, end of moves

### MUST NOT DO
- Default 50mm for every shot without intent
- Animate FOV wildly unless motivated
- Crop critical silhouette out of frame

## Reference Guide

| Topic | Reference | Load When |
|-------|-----------|----------|
| Lens And Composition | `references/lens-and-composition.md` | When needed |
| Camera Move Library | `references/camera-move-library.md` | When needed |
| Dof Guide | `references/dof-guide.md` | When needed |

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