Still Photography & Cinematography

WHY?

•To make the frame visually interesting•Aesthetically pleasing•First step, before lighting and sounds

How?

•Rule of thirds•Diagonal rule•Minimalism•Correct perspective•Using lines/patterns/curves

RULE OF THIRDS

LOOKING SPACE

•Empty space on the side where subject is looking/facing/talking•Less constricted•More important in cinematography

RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN?

MOTION SPACE

•Empty space on the side where subject is walking/running•Heightens the feeling of motion

DIAGONAL RULE

•Subject is placed on the diagonal line of the frame•Adds drama and action

MINIMALISM

•Removing clutter•Prominent subject•Eye catching

CORRECT PERSPECTIVE

•High angle shots•Low angle shots•Getting down to subject’s level:Eye level shots

HIGH ANGLE SHOTS

•Subject looks diminished

LOW ANGLE SHOTS

•Subject looks dominating

EYE LEVEL SHOTS

•More comfortable for viewer•Relates to the subjects point of view

USING LINES/PATTERNS

ANGLED HORIZON

•Attracts attention•Heightens energy

LEVEL HORIZON

•Adds stability

ARTISTIC SHOTS

STORY TELLING

CINEMATOGRAPHY

USING PHOTOGRAPHY

•Same composition rules apply•7 basic types of shots

7 BASIC SHOTS•Extreme close up•Close up•Medium close up•Medium•Medium Long•Long•Extremely Long

EXTREME CLOSE-UP•Captures from mid-forehead to just above the chin, or even closer•Used to show details/ emphasize

CLOSE-UP•Captures the face, just above the shoulder•Used to show emotions

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP•Cuts the body just below the armpit•Used to show reactions

MEDIUM•Cuts the body just above the waist

MEDIUM LONG•From head to below the knees•Used to show gestures clearly

LONG•Shows the entire body•Used to establish the location

EXTREME LONG•Shows entire body with more surroundings

LOW ANGLE SHOTS

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE:CHASE SEQUENCE

•Low angle dynamic shots•Dominating subject: Running kids•Minor subject: Policeman•Purpose:To show helpless policeman

HIGH ANGLE SHOTS

LORD OF THE RINGS:MOUNTAIN SEQUENCE

•High angle landscape shots•Extremely long shots•Purpose:To show the mountain’s vastness

CLOSE UP SHOTS

LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS:

POKER TABLE SEQUENCE

•Focuses on facial expressions•Purpose:To capture emotions

SHOT/REVERSE SHOTS

REAR WINDOW

•Narrative construction•The camera frames one person facing right and the other facing left.•Use of DOF

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

•Narrative construction•The camera frames one person facing right and the other facing left.•Use of DOF

USING DOF: OBJECTS IN THE FOREGROUND

THE OFFICE: A MOCUMENTARY SIT-COM•Using objects in the foreground to create DOF•Can get distracting•Purpose:To show secrecy and concealment

WIDE ANGLE SHOTS

REVOLVER

•Large field of view•Fish-eye lens•Importance to foreground•Purpose:To show importance of chess moves

EXTREMELY CLOSE UP SHOTS

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

•Shots of insects•Extremely close up shots•Purpose:Extra details

FOLLOWING THE SUBJECT

AMELIE

•Following moving subject in an arc•Subject’s level on the ground•Purpose:Gives a more unique and more personal perspective to the viewer

FAMOUS SHOTS

BREAKFAST CLUB

•Establishing shot•Destruction of school property

THE SHINING

•Psycho thriller•Jack Nicholson breaking the door•Famous dialogue: “Here’s Johnny!”

THANK YOU

•Credits:Nikon D80, Canon S2IS, Google•All rights reserved to Aditya Rao