After Effects Guru: Mastering Cameras and Lights

Master After Effects cameras and lights. Learn how to use two-node cameras, scripts and expressions, three-point lighting, and more to add depth and production value to any scene.

Introduction

• Mastering lights and cameras when animating effects in After Effects
• What you should know before watching this course

1. The Basics of Cameras

• Making layers 3D
• Depth without cameras (multi-planing)
• A quick camera primer
• One node vs two node cameras
• Choosing different lenses
• Working with orthographic views
• Adjusting custom views and framing layers
• Tips for moving cameras
• Creating an orbit null with scripts
• Basic tips for camera animation
• Adjusting camera motion paths
• Working with depth of field
• Using depth of field commands

2. The Basics of Lighting

• Working with ambient and point lights
• Working with parallel and spot lights
• Creating a three-point lighting setup
• Creating shadows
• Playing with a layer's material options
• Using lighting in the C4D renderer

3. Intermediate and Advanced Camera and Lighting Techniques

• Cutting between multiple cameras
• Animating a camera between multiple scenes
• Photo projection mapping
• Cameras and 3D photos
• Helpful expressions for cameras
• Helpful expressions for lights
• Volumetric lighting
• Mimicking camera movement from the real world
• Useful plugins for camera animation
• Using cameras with C4D Lite
• Using After Effects cameras in VR production

Conclusion

• Next steps