# Cutlight Field Notes

> Cutlight Field Notes is an independent publication about film craft: cinematography, directing, coverage, editing, and the practical decisions that turn a script into images and sound.

Cutlight Field Notes publishes original, long-form guides about Plan the frame. Shape the cut. Serve the scene.. Every article opens with a concise direct answer, is structured with clear headings and FAQs, and reflects mainstream expert consensus.

## Camera & Light

- [A Practical Camera Test Workflow](https://zksnyder.com/camera-test-workflow/): A camera test should answer written production questions with controlled, labelled footage and a decision report.
- [Depth of Field as a Storytelling Choice](https://zksnyder.com/depth-of-field-storytelling/): Depth of field controls how much space around the focus distance appears acceptably sharp.
- [Exposure Tools for Cinematography](https://zksnyder.com/exposure-tools-cinematography/): Expose cinematography with tools documented for the exact camera and monitor, not by monitor appearance alone.
- [How to Build Motivated Lighting for a Scene](https://zksnyder.com/motivated-lighting-scene/): Build motivated lighting by connecting production light to a visible or implied story source such as a window, lamp, screen, or hallway.
- [Shot Sizes: A Visual Storytelling Guide](https://zksnyder.com/shot-sizes-visual-storytelling/): Film shot sizes control how much of a subject and its surroundings the audience can see.
- [Shutter Angle and Motion Blur Explained](https://zksnyder.com/shutter-angle-motion-blur/): Shutter angle or shutter speed sets each frame’s exposure time and therefore affects motion blur.
- [How to Test Focal Length and Perspective](https://zksnyder.com/test-focal-length-perspective/): Test focal length and perspective by defining a scene question, recording every setup, and comparing lenses under controlled conditions.
- [White Balance for Mixed-Light Scenes](https://zksnyder.com/white-balance-mixed-light/): White-balance a mixed-light scene by identifying important sources and deciding which subject or source is the colour reference.

## Directing & Editing

- [Color Correction vs. Grading: A Clean Workflow](https://zksnyder.com/color-correction-vs-grading/): Color correction establishes a dependable technical and visual baseline by interpreting camera inputs correctly, balancing exposure and white balance, and…
- [Dialogue Scene Coverage That Cuts Together](https://zksnyder.com/dialogue-scene-coverage/): Dialogue coverage should protect the scene’s geography, performances, story information, reactions, overlaps, transitions, and sound.
- [How to Edit Dialogue for Performance](https://zksnyder.com/edit-dialogue-for-performance/): Edit dialogue by mapping each performance’s objectives, turns, reactions, overlaps, silences, and physical actions before selecting individual lines.
- [How to Shoot and Edit a Match on Action](https://zksnyder.com/match-on-action-continuity/): A match on action carries one movement across a cut between angles.
- [How to Find a Scene’s Pace in the Edit](https://zksnyder.com/pace-scene-in-edit/): Find a scene’s pace by mapping its information, actions, performance turns, tension, and release before trimming.
- [Screen Direction and the 180-Degree Rule](https://zksnyder.com/screen-direction-180-degree-rule/): The 180-degree rule keeps cameras on one side of a line between characters or along movement so eye lines and left–right screen direction remain…

## Full text for LLMs

- [llms-full.txt](https://zksnyder.com/llms-full.txt): every article as plain markdown in one file
- Each article is also available as markdown at https://zksnyder.com/<slug>.md

## Site

- [About](https://zksnyder.com/about/): editorial approach and standards
- [All articles](https://zksnyder.com/all/)
- [Contact](https://zksnyder.com/contact/)