Cinematography Basics

Cinematography

Definition: The art and technique of camera and lighting in filmmaking, responsible for creating the visual aesthetic and mood of a film.

Key Concepts:

• Composition: The arrangement of visual elements within the frame, including placement of subjects, objects, and negative space.
• Camera Angles: The way the camera is positioned to capture a scene, influencing the audience's perspective and emotional response:
  • Establishing Shot: A wide-angle shot that sets the scene and establishes the setting.
  • Close-up: A tight shot that focuses on a specific detail, such as a character's face or object.
  • Over-the-shoulder: A shot that frames one character from behind the shoulder of another character.
  • Point-of-View (POV) Shot: A shot that shows what a character is seeing.
• Camera Movement: The way the camera moves to create a sense of dynamic energy or emphasis:
  • Pan: A horizontal movement of the camera, left or right.
  • Tilt: A vertical movement of the camera, up or down.
  • Dolly: A movement of the camera towards or away from the subject.
  • Tracking Shot: A shot that follows a character or object as it moves.
• Lighting: The use of light and shadow to create mood, atmosphere, and highlight specific elements:
  • High-key Lighting: Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows.
  • Low-key Lighting: Dark, moody lighting with prominent shadows.
  • Backlighting: Lighting that comes from behind the subject, creating a rim of light around their silhouette.
• Film Stock and Digital Formats: The medium used to capture and display the film's images:
  • 35mm Film: A traditional film format known for its warm, grainy aesthetic.
  • Digital Formats: Such as HD or 4K, which offer greater flexibility and clarity.

Influential Cinematographers:

• Gregg Toland: Known for his innovative use of deep focus and low-key lighting in films like "Citizen Kane" (1941).
• Vittorio Storaro: A master of cinematography, known for his work on films like "Apocalypse Now" (1979) and "The Last Emperor" (1987).
• Roger Deakins: A contemporary cinematographer, known for his work on films like "No Country for Old Men" (2007) and "Blade Runner 2049" (2017).

Cinematography

• Cinematography is the art and technique of camera and lighting in filmmaking, responsible for creating the visual aesthetic and mood of a film.

Composition

• Composition refers to the arrangement of visual elements within the frame, including placement of subjects, objects, and negative space.

Camera Angles

• Establishing Shot: A wide-angle shot that sets the scene and establishes the setting.
• Close-up: A tight shot that focuses on a specific detail, such as a character's face or object.
• Over-the-shoulder: A shot that frames one character from behind the shoulder of another character.
• Point-of-View (POV) Shot: A shot that shows what a character is seeing.

Camera Movement

• Pan: A horizontal movement of the camera, left or right.
• Tilt: A vertical movement of the camera, up or down.
• Dolly: A movement of the camera towards or away from the subject.
• Tracking Shot: A shot that follows a character or object as it moves.

Lighting

• High-key Lighting: Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows.
• Low-key Lighting: Dark, moody lighting with prominent shadows.
• Backlighting: Lighting that comes from behind the subject, creating a rim of light around their silhouette.

Film Stock and Digital Formats

• 35mm Film: A traditional film format known for its warm, grainy aesthetic.
• Digital Formats: Such as HD or 4K, which offer greater flexibility and clarity.

Influential Cinematographers

• Gregg Toland: Known for his innovative use of deep focus and low-key lighting in films like "Citizen Kane" (1941).
• Vittorio Storaro: A master of cinematography, known for his work on films like "Apocalypse Now" (1979) and "The Last Emperor" (1987).
• Roger Deakins: A contemporary cinematographer, known for his work on films like "No Country for Old Men" (2007) and "Blade Runner 2049" (2017).