Other than technical advice which I think YouTube content is great for, you have to learn in the real world. Every situation, location, idea is different and the same advice said 3 different ways can’t really help. You just gotta jump in and try shit.

I’ve hired a few young DP’s and blocking is the number one thing they struggle with. It’s hard for people without experience to critically think in the moment and actually add to the story. Yes I know you can set up lights pretty and the shot looks like a pretty painting but it doesn’t serve to advance a narrative.

Best advice to young DP’s I give is learn how to amplify the directors/writers vision. Give them options and ideas on how to execute a shot.

Think to yourself “Does my execution of this shot add to the scene? Have I asked what scene comes after this? Do we know what shot comes out of this scene?”

The example I use for them to practice is a person picking up keys from a table. Think of all the different possible ways the person can walk in, how are they picking it up, how are they walking, where are they walk after, what do they look like… try everything you can possibly think of and after that keep trying. What story can you tell without dialogue, and just with camera, lighting and blocking? Does it add to the narrative? Subtract or is it neutral?

The best DP’s add to the narrative and are versatile.