February 27, 2026

Danny Cohen, BSC: Slow Horses ‘dirty London’ cinematography

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 348: Danny Cohen, BSC

DP Danny Cohen, BSC, reveals how he crafted the “dirty London” look of Slow Horses through motivated lighting, high ASA grain, and the grit of Slough House.

Key Podcast Highlights:
-How Slow Horses ditches the typical block shooting system, with one DP and one director to create the entire season’s visual look.
-Using camera settings to bake in noise and deep, inky blacks for that signature London grit.
-Shooting with 2–3 cameras, which allows for weird, accidental angles that a single camera would never catch.
-Why Danny bans traditional backlighting and soft fill to keep his characters trapped—and embedded—in their murky environments.
– A look at the multi-story Slough House sets that let actors and cameras move through floors without ever hitting a fake wall.

Find Danny Cohen: http://wwwb.co.uk/

See Slow Horses on Apple TV.

SHOW RUNDOWN:
02:23 Close Focus
13:41-51:27 Danny Cohen Interview
51:53 Short ends
01:03:18 Wrap up/Credits

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
YouTube: @TheCinematographyPodcast
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Blue Sky: @thecinepod.bsky.social

February 20, 2026

Into the Dark Ages: the gothic vision of The Dreadful

The Cinematography Podcast Episode 347: director Natasha Kermani and DP Julia Swain

In the medieval horror film The Dreadful, director Natasha Kermani and cinematographer Julia Swain transport audiences to the brutal landscapes of the Dark Ages. The independent film shot in Cornwall, England over 17 winter days.

Key Podcast Highlights:
-Development: Kermani spent years crafting the folkloric tale, prioritizing a “gothic storybook” aesthetic that blends historical iconography with psychological dread.
-The Power of Partnership: Kermani and Swain have collaborated on several projects. Early on, they worked together to map out the film’s framing, lens choices and color story.
-Practical Immersion: The crew built a practical cottage set on location, allowing for seamless camera movement between the interior hearth and dark forest.
-Embracing the Elements: Filmed in the dead of winter, the production utilized the low December sun and natural ambiance to create an authentic, oppressive atmosphere without the use of hard, artificial lighting.

Find Natasha Kermani: Instagram @natakerm

Find Julia Swain: Instagram @juliaswain

See The Dreadful in theaters and on VOD now.

SHOW RUNDOWN:
01:59 Close Focus
14:23-01:03:57 Natasha Kermani and Julia Swain Interview
01:04:43 Short ends
01:09:24 Wrap up/Credits

The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com
YouTube: @TheCinematographyPodcast
Facebook: @cinepod
Instagram: @thecinepod
Blue Sky: @thecinepod.bsky.social