Still Photography & Cinematography

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

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

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

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

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

Subject is placed on the diagonal line of the frame

Adds drama and action

MINIMALISM Removing clutter Prominent subject Eye catching

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

Low angle shots

Getting down to subject’s level: Eye level shots

HIGH ANGLE SHOTS Subject looks diminished

Subject looks diminished

LOW ANGLE SHOTS Subject looks dominating

Subject looks dominating

EYE LEVEL SHOTS More comfortable for viewer Relates to the subjects point of view

More comfortable for viewer

Relates to the subjects point of view

USING LINES/PATTERNS

ANGLED HORIZON Attracts attention Heightens energy

Attracts attention

Heightens energy

LEVEL HORIZON Adds stability

Adds stability

ARTISTIC SHOTS

STORY TELLING

CINEMATOGRAPHY

USING PHOTOGRAPHY Same composition rules apply 7 basic types of shots

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

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

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

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

Cuts the body just below the armpit

Used to show reactions

MEDIUM Cuts the body just above the waist

Cuts the body just above the waist

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

From head to below the knees

Used to show gestures clearly

LONG Shows the entire body Used to establish the location

Shows the entire body

Used to establish the location

EXTREME LONG Shows entire body with more surroundings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Establishing shot

Destruction of school property

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

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

Credits: Nikon D80, Canon S2IS, Google

All rights reserved to Aditya Rao