The Short Project

Grateful to have attended “Thinking Like a Cinematographer” by the award-winning Hasan Amin last night at Oman Film Society.

Sponsored by Sony Middle East and , this talk was a masterclass in seeing before shooting.

He broke down the craft behind:
* Shot techniques — close-ups, tracking shots, mise-en-scène & framing
* Key lighting, color grading & color correction
* Visual styles through iconic films like Once Upon a Time in America, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, Blade Runner, La La Land, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Oppenheimer

One of the biggest takeaways for me:
Don’t box yourself into one niche — range matters, regardless of genre.

Notable quotes of the night from the speaker:
🎬 “Just Do It.”
Knowledge is theory until you take action. Learn your gear and go shoot.

🎬 “Believe in Yourself.”
Trust your talent, your vision, and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

🎬 “Adapt or Die.”
Embrace modern technology, learn new techniques, and integrate tools like AI — or get left behind.

Despite the talk mostly in Arabic, with only brief English translation toward the end, I did my best to absorb the essence of it all. It was disappointing at first - but I chose to focus on the bigger picture: the opportunity to be in the same room with a DP whose work and life journey was a real inspiration. From being an engineer, to leaving it all behind to pursue photography, and eventually finding his way into film.

A leap of faith driven by passion. His story alone reminded me why this path matters to me. It’s the kind of curiosity, risk, and courage my heart truly resonates with.

Sometimes understanding isn’t just about language - its about presence, perspective, and letting the experience speak for itself.

Indeed, a true privilege to learn from a cinematographer who blends craft, history, and evolution so easily.

We stopped by French Bakery and treated ourselves to their bread and pastries — every bite was pure comfort.

The rustic ambiance paired with their Christmas decorations made the experience even sweeter.

This is a perfect spot to slow down, soak in the holiday mood, and enjoy something delicious.

Definitely a must-visit for all dessert and bread lovers in Muscat.