Things to Learn from Cinematography

I can see Ken's eyes locking onto that title already...

I was just thinking about the things we can learn from observation of TV and Film work and a couple of things spring to mind.

From the 1960s TV series "The Avengers" I learned about using unusual viewpoints and foreground interest to make strong compositions. A classic example is the episode "The Morning After" when every trick in the book is used to establish the incongruous emptiness of a city in the morning. Or "All Done With Mirrors" that used shots with glasses, mirrors, windows and anything else in what is effectively a series of still photography compositions applied to film.

From "Doctor Who" we can learn all about the use of colour. The use of gels over the lights gives an incredible feel to each episode, be is glowing warmth or cold steely blue, or a dynamic mixture to create a multitude of different emotional responses. Fantastic stuff.

And as a bonus, if you have time, you could always follow the plot!

Any other examples?

BAD EXAMPLE. CSI Miami. To much use of orange grad filter on the sky.
CHEERS Vic.

Top Gear (the programme, not photographic hardware):- They often use graduated filters to darken/colour the sky.

Locked on right away!

Favourite examples off the top of my head would be:

"Lawrence of Arabia" Freddie Young
"The Third Man" Robert Krasker
"Night of the Hunter" Stanley Cortez
"Das Boot" Jost Vacano
"A Touch of Evil" Russell Metty

All of these films broke new ground in terms of equipment and shooting and lighting techniques. Part of the magic of great cinematography is having beautiful composition at both the start and end of a moving shot.

My great inspiration when growing up was the classic movies that used to be on TV on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and most BBC documentaries.

Hollywood in the black and white days... those people knew how to light a scene!
nowadays... there is Tim Burton...
oh, and let's not forget Sin City...

I'm often quite taken with Ridley Scott films - he always seems to manage to add to his films with his cinematography (if I have understood the term correctly) - Blade Runner; Gladiator; Alien;... I remember thinking Hannibal was fantastically well shot (especially the bit in Venice) even if the film itself wasn't the best

Regards

Mat

Indeed Sin City, nice movie.

Minority report was also quite good they used a blue colour tone almost through out the movie the get that cold feeling.

And for scenes, it's an animation but oh what nice sometimes.
link

About black and white, this has a great atmosphere.
link

Have anyone seen The New World?
It does have some nice scenes but never liked the film as an whole

Brief encounter. All those moody shots with steam and dark stations. Great stuff. Also happens to be one of my favourite films.

K.

More and more I find myself watching tv and complaining about technical problems such as purple fringing, excessive noise etc.

Then wonder as to why so many people complain about these things in photography with equipment at a very small fraction of the price!

Use of reflections to achieve a 'special effect' a la Harry Worth (showing my age)

one thing to learn form cinematography...
They shot everything on manual... no automation at all....

I wonder why?

Things to learn from Cinematography:

That even the leading people using the finest equipment can get it wrong sometimes.

Can you give us an example?

Or, using films shot on location in Australia as an example, the use of harsh and stark sunlight in wide open spaces.

The movies are probably less well-known, but for eg Mad Max, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, Rabbit Proof Fence, Crocodile Dundee, 'Australia', Ned Kelly, etc...