/camera-cinematography

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 |