TAKE YOUR CINEMATOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Learn the creative, technical, and business skills you need to shoot like a professional
DOCUMENTARY CINEMATOGRAPHY: PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATIONS
Documentary cinematography is about more than making pretty images, it's about telling stories that have visual impact while building a long-term career.
ENROL NOW
WANT TO SHOOT LIKE A PRO?
Have you ever wanted to get paid to travel the world telling powerful stories with a camera? This course was made for you.
Build confidence behind the camera by learning the professional tools, tips and strategies you need to shoot like a documentary cinematographer from someone with more than a decade of industry experience.
"By applying the cinematography knowledge I learned from Luc, I've opened my own production office, booked a $10,000+ contract, and even had my work published in National Geographic.
It was hard work, but I can't believe what's happened to my film career!"
- Duy Le, Canada
THE PROFESSIONAL'S APPROACH
SHOOT LIKE A CINEMATOGRAPHER
Documentary cinematographers need to be skilled technicians, but they also need to be self-reliant, empathetic, entrepreneurial, and great storytellers to succeed. Over the course of more than 70 lessons, you will:
👷♂️ Gain the confidence you need to work as part of a professional crew
📝 Show up prepared for your shoots like a pro through detailed pre-production and scouting processes
💡 Learn professional interview set ups and techniques, as well as prep locations with different levels of lighting packages
😬 Overcome your shoot day anxieties so you can stay calm on set
🤝 Expand your network so you can meet new collaborators and clients
🎥 Move beyond b-roll to capture scenes that tell a visually powerful story
📺 Become a master of coverage to make sure you give your editor what they need to build a cinematic documentary sequence
💸 Negotiate with confidence to set a professional day rate and learn how to raise it over time
💰 Invest in the gear that matters so you can start to generate extra income with your kit
⚙️ Build a professional gear package over time that production companies and directors want
💻 Promote yourself the right way to grow your business, find new clients, and build a network of trusted collaborators
👨💼 Understand the professional skills you need to make a good impression on set and get called back
💾 Create a bulletproof media management workflow so you never worry about losing a shot again
🛫 Explore the travel hacks and tools you need to plan and execute international projects
😇 Shoot with integrity. Compelling stories are great, but only if shot with ethics and empathy
🏦 Manage and grow your money like a business owner so you can stay in the game for the long-term
🙅♂️ Gain the confidence to say no and choose projects that you care about
🎙 Learn how the best in the business operate through bonus interviews with Oscar-winning professionals
"I just came back from filming the first part of our documentary about Human wildlife conflict in Zambia & Kenya. The course was a great help and a constant reminder. Thanks Luc!"
Fairlie Arrow, EP Kalamo Films
"I finished my film 'Whale Call' a few weeks ago and have already heard back with a film festival acceptance. I loved the cinematography course and I am beyond excited! Thank you!"
Ron Goodlin, Wildlife Filmmaker
FROM AMATEUR TO NETFLIX IN 3 YEARS
I didn’t go to film school, yet I managed to go from a novice to shooting for Netflix, National Geographic, VICE, ShowTime, ESPN, and many more of the biggest outlets in the world. And if I can make that happen, then you can too. In fact, from the day I got my first paid film job to the day I was hired as the lead DP of a multi-million dollar feature documentary, my journey took just 2 years and 10 months.
But to make it work, you need to stop thinking like a videographer and start learning the professional foundations of how a cinematographer operates in the documentary world. Because in the age of YouTube university and affordable equipment, making pretty pictures isn’t enough—you need to tell shoot with intent to tell stories that make a visual impact.
And if I can do it, then you can too...
CREATIVITY MEETS EXPLORATION
READY FOR AN ADVENTURE?
Documentary cinematography isn't for everyone. This job requires people who are open-minded and not only willing, but excited to be constantly immersed in new situations. It takes people who can handle the unfamiliar and thrive in dealing with the unexpected. It's not easy and it's often uncomfortable. But it's also an incredible gateway to an adventurous and creative life that few others get to experience.
It's not for everyone, but for the right kind of person, documentary cinematography is the best job in the world.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
"I've learned more about documentary cinematography from Luc than anyone else online. His teaching is based on real professional experience, and the advice given in this course has helped me land multiple paying jobs as a documentary shooter."
Richard Carey, Canada
"If you want to learn from the best in the documentary film industry, when it comes to advanced cinematography and career growth, Luc has done it all. I simply cannot say enough good things about Luc's communication and teaching style."
Mark Hayward, United States
"Luc Forsyth is the cheat code. Luc exceeded my expectations and made sure that every dollar that I spent went towards reaching my goals. He has the tools that you will need to make the transition from dreams to reality."
Ra Hanna, United States
5 STEP PLAN TO MASTERY
🎥 YOUR ROADMAP TO SUCCESS
There's no secret to achieving success as a documentary cinematographer, and every DP I know has worked through a similar process to get where they are. And while I can't make you get out there physically and become a better cinematographer, I can save you years giving you the professional foundations you need to succeed.
The road to mastery is built on the age-old cycle of learn, practice, repeat, but in this course we're going to be much more specific and intentional through a 5-step approach that's already been proven to work:
💡 STEP 1: Study it. This is where the theory-based lessons of the course really shine. This is where we'll reinforce professional foundations, fill in any gaps in your knowledge, and get you inspired to learn new skills.
📺 STEP 2: Watch it. Through 4+ hours of newly added hands-on videos from the field, learn what putting these ideas in practice really looks like in a dynamic shooting environment.
🏋️♀️ STEP 3: Apply it. Knowledge without action doesn't mean anything, and now it's time to get out there and shoot something. This is where you'll bring all your skills together in the real world and test them out. Learn what worked well, and what you still need to improve on, then revisit the course material with fresh eyes.
📨 STEP 4: Share it. Creating work is the fun part—it's in the feedback stage when you really grow. If you want to improve, you must share your work, and this is exactly what The Doc Hub Community is for. With the help of your fellow cinematographers, a dedicated community manager, and, of course, me, you'll learn how to make your project even better.
🤝 STEP 5: Pitch it. Once you've shot a film and gotten feedback on it, it's time to test out the actual marketplace by submitting it to film festivals or pitching it to broadcasters and streamers. This part of the process is a lonely one—and this is something you'll have to do on your own. No matter your goals, feel confident you've done everything you can to make the visuals shine.
And then it's time to do it all again. Because the cinematographers who succeed in this business don't get there overnight. They learn, practice, share, and repeat over the course of a lifetime. So even though you'll finish the course with all the tools you need to shoot like a professional, the real adventure is just beginning.
This Course Will Teach You:
- How to become a stronger storyteller by shooting scenes like a pro
- How to light scenes naturally and set up high-end interviews with a variety of equipment
- What gear is worth your time and money and what doesn't matter
- How to improve your cinematography business through professional development, financial health, and networking
With more than 10 hours of lessons split over 7 units, this course goes way beyond lighting tutorials.
THIS COURSE IS FOR CINEMATOGRAPHERS WHO...
✅ Want to tell stories, not just shoot pretty pictures
✅ Are interested in earning money from cinematography
✅ Want to learn professional etiquette and how to conduct themselves in the field
✅ Want to grow a network and work on projects that have an impact
✅ Want a deep understanding of gear and what to invest in over time
✅ Want to learn how to use lighting effectively yet organically
✅ Are committed to the long-term and want to build a career
✅ Recognize the importance of scenes and characters over visual gimmicks
✅ Want advice and guidance from award-winning directors, producers, and DPs
THIS COURSE IS NOT FOR YOU IF...
⛔️ You're not willing to take action. Only you can actually get out and shoot
⛔️ You’re looking for shortcuts; real progress takes time
⛔️ You’re more interested in highlight reels than visual storytelling
⛔️ You don’t care about running a professional business and earning money
⛔️ You think you already know everything you need to know
START YOUR JOURNEY
Enjoy lifetime access to the most comprehensive documentary cinematography course there is, with new interviews, lessons, and units added regularly.
ENROL NOWFEATURING EXPERT VOICES
THE COURSE
12+ hours of videos spread across 7 units with more than 85 comprehensive lessons, this course covers everything from creativity to gear to business fundamentals.
MODULE 1
The Role of a DP - Professional Foundations
What are the responsibilities of a documentary cinematographer and what skills are needed to operate at a high level?
- Breaking down the hiring process to understand where work comes from
- Non-technical skills all DPs need to succeed
- Understanding the documentary industry and the cinematographer's role within it
Whether it's finding mentors, working with a crew, or negotiating a contract, there's more to a cinematographer's job than just shooting.
MODULE 2
Gear - Cameras, Lighting, Audio, and Accessories
It's trendy these days to say that gear doesn't matter, but that's not really true. At the end of the day a cinematographer needs to understand the tools of their trade to succeed.
- A complete breakdown of the lenses, cameras, lights, and accessories that matter
- How to earn money with your gear through rentals
- What gear should you rent, and what's worth investing in for the long-term?
Buying gear will not make you a better cinematographer. But understanding the right tool for the job will help you get the shots that you're imagining in your head.
MODULE 3
Master Pre-Production
Documentaries don't always have the same resources as Hollywood films, but that doesn't make proper pre-production any less important.
- What are the key questions to ask during pre-production meetings?
- How to prepare for international and travel shoots
- What to look for during a scouting trip
Starting off your shoot on the right footing is critical, especially in the fast-paced documentary world.
MODULE 4
Visual Storytelling and Ethics
Good documentaries aren't just a sequence of pretty pictures. Good cinematographers need to be visual storytellers, not just image makers.
- How to think in terms of scenes, not just shots
- Visual storytelling techniques and foundational principles
- The ethics of documentary cinematography
The cinematographer is the first filter the story passes through, so it's crucial that they shoot with the narrative in mind.
MODULE 5
Scene Coverage—How to Shoot for Story
Just like a Hollywood film, a good documentary is a series of scenes - not just b-roll. Learn to cover scenes like a professional so the audience can best experience the story.
- Scene coverage 101: The elements of a scene
- How to cover a scene with a single camera vs multiple cameras
- Improving your coverage through professional tips and tricks
Mastering scene coverage is the first step in creating a powerful and immersive story that goes beyond b-roll and slow motion.
MODULE 6
Lighting and Interviews
Even though we don't light to the same extent as narrative and commercial DPs, that doesn't mean that documentary cinematographers don't need to understand lighting.
- How to use lights to augment reality in a natural way
- Setting up interviews with a variety of lighting packages
- How to motivate your light to get the most out of your locations
Good lighting can supercharge your coverage while bad lighting can break the illusion of reality. Learning to do it well separates cinematographers from videographers.
MODULE 7
Business and Professional Development
Cinematographers are essentially small business owners with one product—you. Streamlining your business and finances will keep you shooting for the long-term.
- How to set long term goals and network effectively to land new clients
- Personal finance fundamentals for your creative business
- How to promote yourself and maintain a professional online presence
As much as cinematographers would rather be out shooting, running your business properly is the key to a long and sustainable career.
Bonus Lessons
Interviews with Industry Leaders
Don't just take my word for it—hear what other award-winning DPs and directors have done to thrive in the documentary industry.
- How to break into the industry and what it takes to succeed long-term
- How to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes
- What top-tier professionals are thinking about when hiring new cinematographers
With more expert voices added to the course over time, hearing what has worked for others is one of the best ways to fast track your own career.
FULL CURRICULUM:
Unit 1 - The Role of a Cinematographer
Unit 5 - Scene Coverage
Unit 2 - Gear and Professional Tools
Unit 6 - Lighting and Interviews
Unit 3 - Master Pre-Production
Unit 7 - Business and Professional Development
Unit 4 - Visual Storytelling
Bonus Content
FREE BONUS TOOLS AND RESOURCES
- My pre-shoot gear packing checklist
- My personal tax planning guide for freelance creatives
- Downloadable guides on career planning and networking
- Long-form interviews with award-winning industry leaders
- Revolving industry insider discounts on gear from professional manufacturers
- 1 year free access Audiio Pro Plan for unlimited royalty free music ($99 Value)
- Access to member's only group for priority personalized feedback to your questions
MEET YOUR TEACHER
LUC FORSYTH
A self-taught photojournalist and documentary cinematographer, Luc has gone on to document the world for outlets like The New York Times, Netflix, Showtime, VICE, HBO, National Geographic, The Gates Foundation, the United Nations and many others.
A former professional tree planter, fruit picker, sailboat deckhand, and English teacher, Luc's path into cinematography took him around the world—and was anything but direct.
"With the same clarity and laser precision as in his YouTube videos, Luc cut straight to the heart of my challenges and helped me brainstorm solutions to navigate my story. I came away feeling invigorated, and with a strong foundation for moving forward."
Rasmus Tornqvist, Sweden
🎥 JOIN NOW AND TAKE YOUR CINEMATOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL 🎥
💸 THE NO QUESTIONS ASKED MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If I can't help you, I don't want your money. If you complete the course within 30 days and don't feel like you've grown as a cinematographer, I'll refund your money—no questions asked.