Cinematography Quora

As our society becomes more connected through technology, people are seeking ways to enjoy what they watch even more than before. They want to know how to do it, who does it, and why their favorite show or movie uses certain camera angles or styles.

Some find this inspiring, while others feel overwhelmed by all of the different modes and strategies that filmmakers use.

That’s totally okay!

We can learn something new every day, and there are many great resources out there for anyone to explore.

But here at AestheticsForFilm we have decided to create an online community focused only on educating you about cinematographic aesthetics.

This is your chance to dive in and explore any style or theory related to film photography and composition, color schemes, focus, and so on. You will also be able to connect with other users to read articles, discuss concepts, and grow as artists.

Definition of cinematography

When it comes to filming, there are two main types: documentary filmmaking and narrative storytelling.

Documentary filmmakers use non-fiction sources or events as their material. Their films typically have an educational focus that emphasize breaking down complex concepts or stories. A classic example is The War Room, where filmmaker Daniel Gordon uses interviews with politicians and past footage to tell the story of how President Lyndon Johnson waged his war in Vietnam.

Other examples include An Inconvenient Truth, which tells the environmental disaster of climate change through interviews and scientific explanations, and For Greater Heights, which follows three high school seniors as they prepare for college via interviews and lessons about education.

In contrast, narrative filmmakers use fiction as their source material. They create characters and settings that people can connect with and relate to, so audience members feel emotionally invested in the film. This creates more interesting cinema.

Narrative movies like The Lord Of The Rings series or Harry Potter are great examples of this. You find yourself connected to the characters and what they go through because you empathize with them.

So why not use documentaries to teach us something? That’s exactly what some directors do! Here are five incredible documentary films that could help you learn something new.

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Different types of cinematography

There are three major categories for filming styles that use different camera angles. These include long-shot, medium shot, and closeup or tight shots. Each one has their own benefits and purposes depending on the scene.

A long-shot is when the camera is at a distance from the subject. This gives an overall sense of vastness or space. A famous example of this type of filmmaking is the movie The Empire Strikes Back where we see Luke Skywalker as a person for the first time since he was left for dead after being captured by Darth Vader.

We get a wide view of his face which makes us feel connected to him as a character. His eyes lock with ours giving off some kind of intensity, making us wonder what he’s thinking.

The length of the pull allows for more dramatic emphasis because it takes longer for the viewer to be fully invested in the setting and the characters. It also creates a feeling of suspense, creating mood swings and fluctuations.

A short-cut way to achieve this effect is using a device called a dolly. The term comes from the word “dolly” which means to move back and forth. Dolly dancers usually have very smooth moves due to how well they control the set up and take away speed.

Equipment of a film set

A lot of people assume that when you see a movie, the setting, the camera, and the editing are all done professionally. This is not true! The person filming the movie must have the proper equipment to do so.

The production team will bring in their own gear or use loaned-for-a-week gear from studios. But most films also have an additional photographer hired to take more creative photos or VFX (visual effects) shots.

These second photographers are usually paid less than the main cinematographer but have much higher demands due to the nature of their job. These professionals typically are given full access to the sets and cameras to capture as many artistic pictures as possible.

Furthermore, these individuals often get very little time with the crew before they have to shoot, which can be frustrating for them. They may even feel like they’re being pushed around because there aren’t enough resources available to produce great images.

So what kind of gear does this professional have? You probably know some of it already like your favorite movies and documentaries where those beautiful looking scenes were accomplished.

But here I’ll go into detail about what types of equipment each individual uses to achieve such perfection.

How to light a scene

When creating any new piece, whether it is a movie or a web series, writing and producing are the next steps. After that comes filming or setting up your camera to capture what you have written!

Filming is usually done at a studio location or outside depending on the production and budget. Some productions choose to do both!

The first thing anyone has to do when shooting anything longer than a few minutes is light your scenes! This includes having enough light for each individual person involved in the scene as well as adequate lighting of the set/location.

There are many ways to light a scene, from natural sunlight, to windows, to using lamps. The way these lights are used depends on how the scene should look.

Exterior and interior lighting

Lighting is an important part of filming any genre movie, especially action movies. When a scene calls for dramatic light or intimate light, there are usually specific types of lights being used to create that effect.

Dramatic light typically uses strong sources of light like two lamps with bulbs or even just one very powerful lamp. This type of light is often called “hard” light because it gives you a very striking image.

Intimate light is also referred to as “soft” light because it produces more subtle effects. These can be natural sunlight, candlelight, or even overhead illumination such as from a desk lamp.

When shooting a movie, cinematographers will frequently use both hard and soft light in combination. For example, when trying to achieve a dramatic mood, they might use a bright lamp next to the person being filmed. Or, if the setting requires intimacy, then they may put away the expensive studio lights and use something much cheaper, like a small table lamp and some candles.

Productive locations

Location scouting is an integral part of cinematographers, directors, and production designers. It’s what helps them determine if it's okay to film in your house or not, and whether it's worth it to ask you for permission to use yours!

The best production designers are always looking into ways to re-purpose existing spaces or create new ones. They're so passionate about it that they'll keep doing it even if no one pays attention to their work anymore! And we all know how hard it can be to get people to acknowledge the excellence of your work when everyone around you keeps telling you that you're good enough already.

Don't worry, though! There are some pretty easy things you can do to promote yourself as a great location scout. Here are six tips from the, ahem, professional me! 🙂

1. Visit every movie theater you can find near where you live.
2. Check out public parks close to your home.
3. Take pictures outside your house during sunset/sunrise hours.
4. Make sure to include lots of windows and natural light in most rooms.
5. If there’s a restaurant next door to your workplace, take note of its style and see if you can incorporate those elements into your own space.
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Tips for lighting

A good light is always important, but it can be tricky to find one that works well in your film. Luckily, there are some easy ways to determine if a natural light source exists somewhere you could use it!

The most common way to test this is by looking at the sun. If there’s a lot of sunlight streaming into the room, then naturally balanced lighting will work well here. Therefore, try moving away from the window and see what kind of light you get.

If nothing looks right, then go up close to the window and add more shade or cover the windows completely. Or look outside the building - sometimes there’s an adjacent roof that people use as a shooting location.

Another option would be to bring in additional lights, but remember that bigger lights mean heavier batteries and cables so weigh those out before heading home.

Oftentimes, cinematography is neglected

Many people consider it to be an expensive way to film videos, which is totally false! Having your own camera makes filming much more accessible because you do not need special equipment or training to get started.

There are many free software programs that can help you shoot, edit, and publish your films quickly and easily. Some of the most well-known ones include Adobe Lightroom, Windows Movie Maker, and Google Photos.

Many universities offer courses in photography as well as filmmaking. These classes could teach you how to use all three of these apps effectively!

If you would like to make a career out of cinema lighting, then there are plenty of educational opportunities available. All you really need is a laptop with internet access and some motivation to learn.