Understanding Anamorphic
Shooting anamorphic is simple once you understand how.
Anamorphic is achievable
Anamorphic can feel intimidating and confusing at first, but once you know the basics, it’s simple. As a director of photography, I’ve shot anamorphic for everything from corporate and political videos to narrative and commercial work. Anamorphic isn't reserved for big-budget films. In the video on the left, I break down the magic of anamorphic cinematography: what it is, how it works, and why it's one of the most powerful tools for cinematic storytelling.
Whether you're shooting a short film, commercial, or branded content, anamorphic lenses elevate your visuals beyond a widescreen look. They draw viewers in and connect emotionally through a nostalgic filmic quality. This video unpacks how the unique characteristics of anamorphic can shape the emotion and storytelling in your film.
In the next video, I use the Atlas Orion anamorphic lenses as an example, exploring the signature look and feel of anamorphic: wide aspect ratios, dreamy bokeh, unique flares, and optical distortion. These visual traits add depth, emotion, and texture to your work.
We explore the hallmark elements of anamorphic cinematography such as cinematic aspect ratios, horizontal flares, and subtle distortion. You’ll also learn how aperture affects flares and how lenses like the Atlas Orion series help you frame with more intention and creative negative space.
The Anamorphic Lens Test
Let’s dive into the Atlas Lens Co. Orion Series A set: 40mm, 65mm, and 100mm. I demonstrate each lens at various T-stops to show how they perform.
Near the end of the video (15:18), I compare four different T-stops side by side so you can clearly see how aperture affects the look and feel of each lens. This gives a direct visual reference for the character of each stop.
Shoot Anamorphic
Now that you understand the how and why of anamorphic, you’re probably ready to try it on your next project. If you don’t know how to get your hands on a lens set, we’ve got you covered. We’ve partnered with Liminalspace, a Cleveland-based rental house that ships anywhere in the country.
We offer modern anamorphic lens rentals featuring the Orion Series by Atlas Lens Co. These lenses provide the classic anamorphic aesthetic with modern mechanics, offering a cost-effective way to bring your visuals to life.
Orion Series by Atlas Lens Co.
Aperture: T2–T16
Squeeze Factor: 2x
Focal Lengths: 40mm, 65mm, 100mm