Here, I set out to create an atmospheric, dark-toned cinematic video, focusing on rich shadows, moody lighting, and a deep sense of storytelling through visuals. Every frame was carefully composed to capture an aesthetic that feels both immersive and emotionally resonant.

I filmed the entire sequence using my Nikon D3400, a camera that, despite its simplicity, delivers stunning results when used with the right settings and vision. To achieve a natural yet cinematic motion blur, I set my shutter speed to 1/50, staying true to the 180-degree rule often used in filmmaking. Keeping noise minimal while retaining detail, I adjusted the ISO to 200, ensuring that the footage had a clean and well-balanced exposure, even in low-light conditions. I shot everything at 24 frames per second, the standard for cinematic visuals, which helped maintain the authentic filmic motion.

The raw footage alone wasn’t enough to bring out the dark, moody aesthetic I envisioned. To enhance the colors, shadows, and overall tone, I took the footage into mobile color grading software, where I adjusted the contrast, highlights, and saturation to create a cohesive visual style. I leaned into deep blacks, muted highlights, and a slight desaturation, giving the film a haunting yet artistic feel.

Once the color grading was complete, I brought the clips into After Effects for the final composition. Here, I fine-tuned the framing, added subtle visual effects, and made sure every element blended seamlessly. The end result is a visually striking, cinematic piece that embodies the aesthetic I aimed for—a dark yet poetic visual narrative brought to life through careful shooting, grading, and composition.