The relationship between the cinematographers and the lenses is special and intimate and it should be developed. In the process of making a film, we are always looking for greater sharpness and definition, and in that process, lenses are very important.

This was the conclusion of the panel discussion „Leitz“ – Choosing the right painter`s brushes (selection of lenses)”, at which the proven cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, Mustafa Bharat and Lula Carvalho spoke. It was held at the Manaki Cinema, as part of the International Cinematographers Film Festival „Manaki Brothers“. The discussion was led by Seth Emmons, Director of Communications at Leitz, who said that the company has been sponsoring the festival for a third year and which is one of his favorite events. At the event, the professionals talked about the beginnings of their career.

“I graduated in psychology from the University of Michigan. But I knew I was too active to sit and chat all day with people who had problems. So, I moved to New York. I started my career as an electrician on the first film I was selected for, even though I had no idea what I should do“, said, Schreiber, who in her later career managed to become a director of photography. 

She stressed that it is very important what lenses are used when shooting a film. Schreiber told that many years ago she was making a short film together with her friend who was a director, so they tested the lenses they used and said that testing is mandatory before use.

Lula Carvalho, meanwhile, is a cinematographer who grew up on film sets, because his father was also a director of photography. He has worked on the films “RoboCop” and the blockbuster “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.   

„Since the age of ten, I have been with my father in sets. I started in Brazil, now I live and work in New York. I wanted to be like my father, I loved the camera. I was already in the camera department in high school. My father didn`t want to work with me because I was his son, but after a year, I was lucky enough to get a director to call me and hire me on a film“, Carvalho said.

Talking about the use of lenses, he said that lenses are important because when making a film, greater sharpness and definition are always needed. A few years ago, he said he used a SONY A7 camera when filming a documentary, which allowed him more flexibility. Carvalho recently shot for the first time with SONY Venice, which according to him is a great camera.

Brazilian cinematographer Mustafa Bharat shared with the audience that his mother was a film worker.

„I`ve worked a lot on commercials, documentaries and a couple of feature films. It`s amazing how technology is changing things. Regardless if the reasons were financial or otherwise, I fill sorry that there were lenses that I wanted to use when filming, but I wasn`t able to“, he said.