What is Cinematography?
Cinematography is the way of photography and camera work in film making. It is the way the camera is positioned, the colour, lens, depth of focus and what angle is used to take it and how it moves. This is an important micro-element as it gives the audience the point of view for the protagonist.
Key Terms:
Camera Angles:
Low angle – This is the placement of the camera being rather low on the vertical axis to portray a powerful or evil character.
High angle – This is the placement of the camera being rather high on the vertical axis to portray weakness or lowness compared to the opposite character.
Camera Sizes:
Establishing shot – This when a shot is taken from a far distance to deliver extreme amounts of information on the scene. It is usually from a very high angle.
Long shot – Is when the camera shot is able to capture a person as a whole; from head to toe, this shot will usually be used to show an action taking place by the character.
Medium close up – This is usually when the camera captures from the hip to face, It would be a good shot to use for a conversation.
Close up – Is the shot above the shoulders, it would be used to show emotions withing the protagonist.
Extreme close up – This shot focuses on a specific part, usually a part of the face, such as the eyes. It could be used when the characters is crying, so they will focus on the eye to show the tension.
Camera Movement:
Crane shot – Is where a camera is placed on a crane or jib, it is usually used in the beginning of a film where it slowly lowers, or at the end where it slowly rises.
Panning – is when the camera rotates in a horizontal angle whilst the camera stays still, it would be a good example to use when a cars drives at a high speed.
Examples:
Extreme Close Up:
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Since learning about cinematography and seeing examples on how it is used, I could understand why i have specific feelings during movies or films when the camera. I could also use these micro elements when I am doing my own opening scene for Media AS.
Basic understanding shown here into the research of cinematography techniques with some examples chosen from a thriller to support your ideas.
ReplyDeleteTo improve;
-add more to your introduction. Why is cinematography such an important micro-element in film making?
-there are more examples of cinematography movement that are crucial for you to know within thrillers. Revisit the notes please
-provide more examples from thrillers to support your definitions and provide more detail in your definitions
-the three examples of cinematography at the end, provide some analysis to them
-provide a thriller opening at the end where you identify at least two examples of the use of cinematography. Be specific to why it is used in terms of understanding and audience response