Like most beginners, I used to think that cinematography was extremely related to the camera you use. Expensive cameras. Until finally, I realized that LIGHTING IS THE KEY to achieve a nice film look, not the camera.
The opening of my short film is a person building a scarecrow. I wanted it to be in a barn, at night. But I didn't now have access to a barn... so, I had to do it in my office. I placed pieces of crates on a table, and I used 3 lights... one to add a warm feeling to the entire ambient. Another, a spotlight with gobo simulating the shades of a window, with a blue filter to simulate the moon light. And a small light with a candlelight effect.
I don't think it could look any better. What do you think? I'll soon make a video showing step by step how it was done. It was my first horror short film.