Cinematography in Canada Since 1957

@martinbuzora #CSCAssociateMember #martinbuzora

Alongside my work in documentaries and features, my time at DJI introduced me to the world of tech commercials. I DP’d this campaign for @oneplus and their Hasselblad @hasselblad lenses.

We shot in the iconic Alabama Hills of Northern California in November, where we were blessed with some of the most unforgettable sunrises of my career.

Directed by my powerhouse creative partner @zacharialorenz, my dear friend and collaborator since our DJI days. Together with @joshuacrippsphotography, we engineered the exact window to capture the full moon with surgical precision - enough ambient light for ground exposure while keeping the moon low on the horizon to retain surface detail.

This level of timing, preparation, and execution was made possible by my exceptional camera team. Huge thanks to @averybazan and everyone who brought this to life!

Brand: @oneplus
Production Company: @vantage.pictures
EP: @jamesduong___
Director: @zacharialorenz
Production Services: @thinkoutloud.studio
Producers: @julie_janssen, @averybazan
DOP: @martinbuzora
1st AC: @brandon.gong
Gaffer: @quitethecasey
Grip: @chizzlecheed
Sound: @stevenspeeds
PA: @eunicehoo95
Wilderness Landscape Photographer: @joshuacrippsphotography
Talent: Zoe Tuggle
Editor: @eyesforsleep
Assistant Editor: @tuyentr.raw
Colorist: @olha.colourist
Sound Design: @marcsanderm
3D Animation: @benjamin_filmmaker (Basugaa Studio)
VFX: @tynis (@spice_vfx)
Post PA: @nthuha0610

#canadiancinematographer

@martinbuzora #AssociateMemberCSC #martinbuzora

I first arrived in East Africa in 2013 during the peak of the poaching crisis, to direct my documentary series “Kenya Wildlife Diaries”.

One of my earliest memories is visiting Budapest Zoo in a stroller in the mid-1980s and witnessing an orangutan pacing back and forth under what I later learned was a severe case of zoochosis. Before I could speak, I understood there was something deeply broken in our relationship with other animals. This moment marked the beginning of my lifelong effort to protect wild things, and filmmaking is the most effective tool I found to bring the realities of wildlife conservation to a wider audience.

I took these images over the last decade and a half while working on documentaries in Africa.

It is difficult to describe the duality of documenting wildlife conservation; some of the darkest moments of my career have occurred alongside the most beautiful things I have ever seen. This dichotomy of darkness and light has shaped my psyche over the years, as well as my perspective on the world.

I want my documentary work to honour the rangers on the front lines, who put their own safety at risk through long days and dark nights while the rest of the world goes about its business. If our children are to see elephants and rhinos in the wild, it will surely be because of their efforts.

The first images depict members of the Kenya Wildlife Service, a specialized “wildlife police” force tasked with combating wildlife crime and collecting animal remains to keep them out of illegal markets.

The group photo at night is a portrait of my friends in Northern Kenya’s elite 9-1 anti-poaching team, made up of members of different tribes, many of whom have been historical enemies now working together to protect their shared wildlife heritage.

The single portrait is of a ranger named Nanyuki: a notorious ex-poacher who has dedicated his life to protecting wildlife.

I genuinely believe humanity owes a debt to these people that can never be paid, and I want these images to honour their sacrifice.

@martinbuzora #AssociateMemberCSC #MartinBuzora

Screenshots from a feature thriller I had the good fortune to D.P. with the wonderful @thisisnataliebrown. Working with Natalie felt like going to the movies every time I looked at the monitor. Always present and effortlessly precise, any time she was in frame she turned coverage into cinema and was my daily reminder that I have the best job in the world.

I became a cinematographer filming thrillers and metal videos, so darkness has always been my natural habitat. Getting to work with a brooding palette like this with a cast operating at that level felt less like a job and more like I found a cheat code to life. Huge thank you to @christopher_giroux for asking me to shoot this.

Grateful to Key Grip @vitalson_n for his effortless prowess and a heartfelt thanks to my Gaffer @terror.vsn for being my trusted visual aid throughout the shoot.

Film: A WIDOW SEDUCED (Amazon Prime Video)

Production Company: @vortexmediainc
Producer: @christopher_giroux
Producer: @jesseikeman
Line Producer: @papachills
Production Manager: @aligoldthorpe

Director: @movibill1951
Writer: @jesslandry28
Director of Photography: @martinbuzora
A Cam: @alx.han
B Cam: @thektgg
C Cam: @guevarafilms
1st Assistant Camera: @maxlitzgus
1st Assistant Camera: @royzhengfilm
2nd Assistant Camera: Dongjie Lai
Key Grip: @vitalson_n
Gaffer: @terror.vsn
Best Grip: @cameron.william.macdonald
Best Grip: @preston.whitfield_film
Best Electric: @alexmallon_
Production Sound: @jcutproductionsound

#nataliebrown #amazonprime thriller canadiancinema