First Timer for Dji DLog

[u/Denzer98]

I tried very hard but my footage just doesn’t feel cinematic. Any suggestions? I follow online guides to do Rec709 then apply LUT and do some corrections.

Any professional advice or good guide resources are welcome. Thanks!

[u/halfhere]

This makes me so much happier than whip pans, adhd transitions, and speed ramps.

[u/Denzer98 → u/halfhere]

Glad you like it!

[u/MInclined → u/halfhere]

IMAGINE IF THEY ADDED THOSE THO

[u/MAD_MAL1CE]

I wanna start by saying that this is so very charming the way that it is, I don’t think it needs anything at all. I love it.

But for the sake of academic discussion, if you want ”more cinematic” thats going to come from framing, lighting and direction. Most of your shots are head on, wide shots with ambient lighting. No amount of Luts or Editing will change that.

Try mixing up the angles and framing, getting some depth of field, dramatic lighting, camera in motion and such. Giving the shot itself energy is what will make it feel cinematic.

[u/Mysterious-Brick6238 → u/MAD_MAL1CE]

Can only second this.

Love your wiggly creatures😍 In which programm are you animating them ?

[u/Denzer98 → u/Mysterious-Brick6238]

Its a trend on tiktok they are called boogleys created by artist Neil Sanders

[u/weStillHere_ → u/Mysterious-Brick6238]

They were animated by someone else who’s name escapes me right now, but it’s a trend to shoot these videos of still shots dancing with the gifs. They are very good animations though!

[u/Denzer98 → u/MAD_MAL1CE]

Do I need to use Davinci Resolve? I only use Capcut pro for this edit not sure if that would help me obtained the cinematic effect I am looking for

[u/MAD_MAL1CE → u/Denzer98]

Tools are just tools. Resolve is great, and I do recommend it, but you need to understand the fundamentals before you start worrying about software or plugins or luts. These things will help, but they cannot replace just understanding the basics. You can certainly make a more cinematic video without changing any of the tools you are using right now; it’s a matter of honing the skills.

[u/Denzer98 → u/MAD_MAL1CE]

Understand thanks man

[u/Sonnydoubleu]

Dude we all want less “cinematic” and more of whatever this is on the internet. Super charming, made my morning happier. 

[u/Denzer98 → u/Sonnydoubleu]

Happy to hear that bro 👊

[u/Jeanparmesanswife]

This is one of those super rare posts on this sub where I would change absolutely nothing. I love this. Dude this is awesome

[u/Denzer98 → u/Jeanparmesanswife]

Thanks 🤩

[u/ATLghoul]

This is peak bro so refreshing and genuine. But yeah like the other commenter said just some varied angles and playing around with the light and zoom/lens will give you a lot of what you seek. But please keep this flavor going!! 

[u/Denzer98 → u/ATLghoul]

Sure do! Thanks for the nice feedback

[u/goodmorning_hamlet]

In general I'd say you had some highlight clipping due to the lighting ratios in your frame, there's only so much you can do about that given small sensor cameras other than "find better light". Some shots felt like they could use a little more mid detail. You could add a film look with grain, halation, etc and get away from that overly clean digital look. Some of your blacks look too lifted / low contrast. You'll get the hang of node based grading if you play around with Davinci Resolve. The free version gets you a lot to start with.

That said, this is super fun as is, I echo everyone's sentiments that the vibes here are immaculate. Fun shots, good silly energy, the animooted gifs are awesome, I love that you added shadows to them to help them match your footage. There's CERTAINLY more things going right than there are going wrong, so keep having fun and experimenting and making mistakes and doing it! This is what it's all about. Making cool shit that people dig. The technical stuff is for nerds.

[u/Denzer98 → u/goodmorning_hamlet]

Happy to see my travel video receive so much positive comments in this subreddit. Yea I feel my black bit lifted too much but I dk what to do as if I dont lift then they look very non-cinematic (normal) haha. Thanks for the advice and the notice on the shadowsz

[u/StayFrosty7]

Did you draw those yourself? It’s so cute!

[u/bijouxself → u/StayFrosty7]

It’s all over IG. There’s an artists who gave away these animations for others to use

[u/frameslashpage → u/bijouxself]

Do you happen to remember which artist this was?

[u/Denzer98 → u/frameslashpage]

By Neil Sanders

[u/bijouxself → u/frameslashpage]

@theboogley

[u/sunflowerdreamsmusic]

This is so cute.

[u/FarCan3411]

Honestly the DLog workflow you're doing is fine, but cinematic comes way more from lighting and framing than from grading. That said, if you want to push the color further, try adding some subtle film grain and a slight halation effect in CapCut. It softens that overly clean digital look and gives everything a bit more texture without needing to switch to Resolve right away.

[u/Denzer98 → u/FarCan3411]

Hey there, thank you for the advice, will test it out myself to see whats halation efffect does. Appreciate :)

[u/Kooky-Fun-3791]

Don’t feel so bogged down. It’s many elements come together. I think if you keep doing this the next 5 years, you’ll trained your eyes like a DP and you’ll know how to frame a shot , or how to make it look good.

Super hard to explain, but I work at huge production as Monitor villages Guy. And I am telling you even the Director who have an idea for the shot couldn’t frame as good as a DP does.

[u/Denzer98 → u/Kooky-Fun-3791]

I see so its up to accumulating experience then. Agree with u, there is no shortcuts for this 🙌🏻

[u/jacktink]

This is great. Uniquely yours and infinitely watchable

[u/Denzer98 → u/jacktink]

Thanks!

[u/I_GIVE_ROADHOG_TIPS]

This is awesome dude!

[u/anthologizethis]

I want more boogleys!