Cinematography in Canada Since 1957

#BradleyStuckel #AssociateMemberCSC @bradleystuckel_dp

Empyrean was one of those rare chances to dive deep into a black-and-white, arthouse sci-fi project. Initially, we wanted to shoot on Super 16mm to capture more of an organic texture, but the budget just didn’t allow for it. So, we pivoted to the RED Monochrome Dragon. After a bit of persistence, we managed to get the first Monochrome Dragon camera shipped to Canada… a new model straight from RED. Even with some technical hiccups and needing a replacement mid-shoot, it felt like a stroke of luck to work with that camera.

Shooting in black and white pushed us to think differently. Colour wasn’t an option, so we had to lean fully into light, shadow, and texture. Tommy Lee (@thomasrobertlee ), the director, was inspired by Bergman and Tarkovsky, so our goal was to make each frame feel meditative and atmospheric. We played with natural light and embraced high contrast, building a look that felt stripped down yet visually intense.

Empyrean was special… it had a great collaborative spirit. We were a tight-knit crew, working with friends and colleagues who fully embraced the challenges of shooting something this unconventional. Working with a lean setup made every shot feel intentional, and there was a real freedom in that minimalistic approach.

#cinematography #csc #canadiancinematographer #arthousecinema #scifi #monochrome #blackandwhite

#BradleyStuckel #AssociateMemberCSC @bradleystuckel_dp

@closethedividefilm was my first full length documentary. Close the Divide isn’t your typical climate change documentary. It’s a journey into the human psyche, exploring our intricate relationship with the planet and the diverse, often contrasting, perspectives that shape our views on energy transition and the future. Traveling alongside director @newpath.influence from London to New York City, to San Francisco, our small and intimate team set out to capture a global perspective on one of the most urgent issues of our time.

I had the privilege of experiencing each city’s unique rhythm and atmosphere. Each location added a new layer to the narrative, offering a backdrop that reflects the diversity of thought and culture in the climate conversation. Beyond the interviews with subject matter experts, we utilized a street photography style approach to capture scenes of daily life, business, and the pulse of modern civilization.

This film dives into the complex emotions behind climate change… anger, fear, tribalism… and challenges viewers to look beyond black-and-white narratives. My goal was to approach each frame with the same nuance the topic demands, balancing scenes of cultural vibrancy with moments of introspection. Close the Divide encourages us to reflect on our own perspectives and consider the possibility of unity in tackling this global challenge.

Documentaries like this remind me of film’s power to build understanding, bridging divides in ways that go beyond facts and figures. This project was a privilege to work on and an opportunity to witness firsthand how film can challenge, inspire, and open up space for real dialogue.

#cinematography #csc #canadiancinematographer #climatechange #sharedresponsibility #streetcinematography #redkomodo #leitzcine

#BradleyStuckel #AssociateMemberCSC @bradleystuckel_dp

My passion was strictly dramatic work for the longest time. I saw commercial projects as too corporate, or too constrained. Over time, I found that the landscape of commercial work was shifting, with more space opening up for creativity and narrative depth. It’s been an evolution that’s made commercial work an unexpected but rewarding part of my career.

The shots/frames I am sharing are from commercials shot with Director and longtime friend, @ryley_b . Ryley and I met many years ago in Calgary and bonded over a mutual love for filmmaking, and since then we’ve worked on more commercials together than I can count. He is based in Toronto, I’m in Vancouver, but Calgary keeps bringing us back to work together on projects. Our relationship feels natural, and our continued collaboration is a reminder of why relationships in this industry are everything.

What I’ve come to appreciate is that commercial work sharpens a cinematographer’s skills in ways other projects don’t. Commercials demand precision and adaptability. You’re often working with tight timelines, specific client expectations, and the challenge of conveying a brand’s message within seconds. Working with such defined constraints has taught me to find creative solutions quickly, to focus on clarity, and to explore ways of making impactful visuals in compact narratives.

Commercials have become a valuable space for me to explore visual storytelling in its most distilled form. Every second demands focus and intention, and the format challenges me to convey meaning with clarity and impact. It’s an evolving part of my craft that continues to push my creativity.

#cinematography #csc #canadiancinematographer #compactnarratives #impactfulvisuals #lightingsetup

#BradleyStuckel #AssociateMemberCSC @bradleystuckel_dp

Hello CSC community! I’m Bradley Stuckel, from Vancouver, an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, and I’ll be hosting the CSC’s Instagram account for the next two weeks. My journey into cinematography took a few twists and turns, but each one left its mark for the better.

One of my first memories with a camera goes back to when my dad bought a video camera. I remember him filming me walking through our living room. I was so captivated by the camera that I couldn’t take my eyes off it, eventually walking right into a wall. Would love to be able to share the shot! That early curiosity for the camera’s perspective never left me.

After graduating I explored the visual arts in many forms starting with graphic design and CGI, but finding they didn’t offer the creative freedom I was looking for. I craved something more hands-on, something that allowed me to tell stories that felt both grounded and imaginative. University led me through drama, writing, and photography, but it was in film school that I truly found my place. The biggest discovery for me was when I decided to dive deep into the psychology of cinematography, realizing just how much power the camera has in storytelling.

At the time, films like The Assassination of Jesse James, There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men shaped my vision, showing me how cinematography could create entire worlds and emotions often without a single word spoken. I came to realize, the camera is as much a character as any actor carrying the weight of the story in its frame.

Cinematography became the perfect way to combine all my creative skills into a single role that lets me work at the intersection of art and storytelling. Each project I have shot has deepened my appreciation for how the right visual choices can bring a director’s vision to life.

Thank you to Carolyn Wong and all the CSC members who work behind the scenes. I’m honoured to share my journey, insights, and stories with the CSC community over these next few weeks. Thank you!

#cinematography #csc #canadiancinematographer #directorofphotography #dp #dop

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Thank you for this incredible opportunity, especially during Global Filipino Heritage Month. Great to be seen.

It has been a pleasure to host the CSC Instagram page. I’m deeply honoured, even as I grapple with feelings of imposter syndrome. Despite my years, I often wonder if I’ve made enough progress.

However, taking on the role of host gave me time to reflect on my journey. As an American Filipino, born to immigrant parents who went into the US Military. My travels with them growing up left me feeling somewhat lost, even more so after their death in 2009, which distanced me further from my Filipino roots.

Finding my way into this industry has been a lifting experience. I cherish the collaboration and sense of family among an amazing group of individuals. It’s been a joy to connect with more BIPOC and Filipino crews and collaborators, something that took me 15 years to find across multiple states before I finally settled in Toronto, Canada.

The photos I have shared here are some behind-the-scenes and me smiling from projects where I had the honor of serving as the Director of Photography. I cannot thank enough the producers and directors for entrusting me with their visions and allowing me to bring those to visual life.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the crews who have supported me along the way. I am grateful for each of you who have listened and allowed me to guide you in the project’s vision.

Once again, I can’t express enough how much I appreciate this opportunity. I look forward to connecting with all of you at some point in time who have engaged with my story in this industry.

Thank you for your time!

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen #culture #pinoys #connection #love #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #DirectorofPhotography

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Embracing My Culture

Throughout my 20 years in the industry, I’ve encountered very few Filipinos and additionally had not had opportunities to work on projects that reflect my cultural background until now. Filming stories drawn from life experiences creates a very deep rooted connection, especially when those narratives resonate with my own upbringing.

When I met this particular Pinoy director, even before diving hard into the project, we immediately connected as fellow Filipinos. This cultural bond fostered a sense of respect and alignment throughout the project’s process.

We decided to push boundaries and take on new challenges, including working with a new camera system and adapting our vision to a set that lacked some expected components. Even with the typical indie project in combination with a limited budget, the entire team came together to craft a story that was both deeply connected and visually compelling.

Personally, I had felt disconnected from my culture for a long time, almost forgetting the roots of my heritage that I loss when my parents left this world in 2009.

Serving as the Director of Photography on this project reignited my passion, my connection to my Filipino background and inspired me to seek out more opportunities that celebrate my culture.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen #culture #pinoys #connection #love #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #directorofphotography

#RaymondTuquero #AssociateMemberCSC @rayt_visual

Beauty in Art

Working in the visual arts has been very rewarding for my creative soul. Throughout my journey, I have encountered moments and projects that allow me to expand my vision and passion into a broader realm of creativity.

One such experience involved collaborating with a talented theatrical director who sought to bring a story and imagery to screen. It was a joy to work with someone whose perspective on creativity and visual arts differ quite a lot from my own. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my background started in broadcasting, and later focused toward a more narrative approach as a cinematographer, which has deepened my understanding of why we create our imagery.

This project not only challenged me visually but also opened my mind to the director’s unique historical perspective. It tells the tragic story of a soldier who acted on his hidden love for another man, ultimately being hung for his action and desire.

The images we created were not only beautiful; they represented a history that deserves to be acknowledged rather than concealed.

Visual Art, in all its forms, is truly a powerful and beautiful force that brings much needed untold stories the attention they deserve.

#csc #CandadianSocietyofCinematographers #Cinematographer #Filipino #FilipinoAmerican #Journey #Canada #Toronto #opportunity #learnings #shiftmindset #perspective #timed #challenges #adversity #success #BIPOC #peopleofcolor #pushingtheboundary #movingtheneedle #openmind #visual #creators #justmakeithappen