Studying Cinematography

Cinematography is the use and control of a motion camera and lighting in the creation of films. Out of all the people who make movies, the cinematographer is constantly making decisions like you in terms of contrast, composition, and the elements of design.

You are going to design your own project based on the work of a famous cinematographer’s work on a particular movie. To begin take a look at the list of films that have won or been nominated for an Academy Award for Cinematography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Cinematography

You may chose to view any of the movies on this list. When watching the movie I would like you to use a digital camera to capture still images of some of the moments that seem most striking. Why did this film win an award for Cinematography? You may also use screen shots if watching on a computer. Try to find a series of images that you can relate in some way. You will be trying to describe the style in general of this film, not describing the style of individual shots.

You will post (5 of) these on AP Photo blog along with answers to the following questions before class on Monday:

I’d like you to think about how the particular feel of the film is conveyed through the images.

How would you describe the lighting? What colors are used? What moods does this convey?

How would you describe the camera angle? How does this affect our reading of the image or scene?

Even looking at a still, what gives us the impression that something is happening? How would a still image from a film be different from still photography? How can you recreate this affect?

This first post is due at the beginning of class Monday the 2nd, (next Monday).

The answers to these questions will provide you with the requirements for your own project. Briefly outline on the blog what you intend to accomplish with a series of photographs. You do not need to be photographing the exact same subjects as in the film, but need to clearly identify what aspects you are taking and what you are trying to explore.

You will turn in 5 color digital photos, completely edited as a portfolio of “cinematic” work. You should photograph many more and select only the best.

You will write an entry on your personal page on the AP art wiki. You should post all five images there. I want you to write about what was challenging in capturing these images. What did you have to consider that you did not expect? How has your understanding of a cinematographer's role changed? What did you end up taking most from this other artist's work? If this were the beginning of a concentration, how would you proceed?  Due at end of semester.