somebody break down cinematography for me

[bangbreh]

first off-explain to me what cinematography means, then...

what elements go into a beautiful scene ?
i mean the breh fred/hex was uppin breaking bad's cinematography and it wasn't anything that blew my mind
i mean does it have to do w/lighting, angles ?
G.O.T and vikings had some good looking scenes

what are the elements that make certain shows stand out from others cinematography wise ?

 

[Mr. Manhattan]

:wtf2: you ever heard of photography, is cinematography that hard to understand?

 

[Sensitive Blake Griffin]

It's hard to quantify. I just know good cinematography when I see it. I don't know about the official definition but to me cinematography is just the "look" of a film/tv show. Game of Thrones has FANTASTIC cinematography. It's angles, lighting, settings etc. The GOAT cinematography wise movie to me is 2001 a space odyssey. Ridley Scott films usually have fantastic cinematography as well.

 

[bangbreh]

@mattymanhattan
you read the whole post, or no ?
what sets certain shows apart ?
a lot of stuff on nbc looks bright and pretty but that don't mean shyt.
break it down for me you ugly, mongol lookin ass dude

 

[Ayo]

first off-explain to me what cinematography means, then...

what elements go into a beautiful scene ?
i mean the breh fred/hex was uppin breaking bad's cinematography and it wasn't anything that blew my mind
i mean does it have to do w/lighting, angles ?
G.O.T and vikings had some good looking scenes

what are the elements that make certain shows stand out from others cinematography wise ?

If I was to break it down Cinematography I'd say

Cinematography is 40% lighting, 25% framing, 25% shot selection, 10% technical. You can learn it. But you have to have the eye for it.

Lighting is the single most important thing. It's what separates the pro's from the amateurs.

Framing shots is a little easier once you understand the rule of thirds and the golden ratio
Rule of thirds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Golden ratio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shot Selection is basically respecting the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree rule. You have your close ups, mids, long, over the shoulder, dolly shots, pans, etc etc i can go on forever

Technical would be the shyt that it's a little harder to learn. camera, F stops, lens selection, camera settings, aperture etc

I think what you're referring to though is mostly done in Post Production. Color correction goes a long way into getting a certain look. It's what separates the Western (muted, dull colors) from the Musical (bright, vibrant colors).

If you've ever seen a Hollywood movie RAW right from the camera you'd be like It's not until it gets the color correction treatment that it looks like a Hollywood production.

 

[bangbreh]

thanks @sensitiveblake
i know when something looks "right", or "fitting", where you feel things are the way they should be. i also think it takes a certain feel or mood of a movie or show to pull that off.

alright well i just wiki'd it.
the elements/factors....

Image sensor and film stock
Filters
Lens
Depth of field and focus
Aspect ratio and framing
Lighting
Camera movement

i'd love to see a youtube showcasing the best and the worst.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I'm not sure if this counts but in 'Six Feet Under' their funeral parlor/home has rooms within rooms painted pink to look like insulation to illustrate the characters are insulated from the outside world and their personal feelings.


@hexagram23 might've had a thread that showed all of the subtle things done on Breaking Bad to illicit a certain response in the viewer.

Everyone views things differently. For example,

See how Walt is shown looking at himself in the reflection of the paper towel dispenser he just bloodied with punches? To me it makes me think that this is making Walt feel like he's not recognizing himself/the cancer is eating away at his body as shown in his face being distorted by the blood, dents from punches and angle of the camera coupled with his expression. This particular shot is layered because he's using the paper towel dispenser as a mirror. He's looking at the man in the mirror and he's freaked out

The end of Crawlspace I wont spoil it if you haven't seen it but it's intense and so fukking gripping.

 

[The Jewnited States]

always thought amelie was one of the most beautifully shot movies

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9rW1alZn6Q[/ame]

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think a lot of it is based on photography. Especially the rules of composition, lighting, ect.

Ive seen some brilliantly shot movies and thought how they hell did they come up with that....then I would realize alot of the scenes are based off classic photographs.

Im thinking about taking a course on cinematography just to help my photography. I remember reading somewhere that they did a special lighting technique in god father so you wouldnt see marlon brandos eyes.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

always thought amelie was one of the most beautifully shot movies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9rW1alZn6Q

Loved this movie.

Also check out "for lovers only" its probably one of the most beautifully shot films I've ever seen.

 

[FlyRy]

watch a stanley kubrick movie and you will see the light

 

[Ayo]

Im thinking about taking a course on cinematography just to help my photography. I remember reading somewhere that they did a special lighting technique in god father so you wouldnt see marlon brandos eyes.

The Godfather was beautifully shot. But I always wonder what would have happened if Sergio Leone had not said no.

With Leone's brain and Tonino Delli Colli's cinematography it might have been even more

Sidenote: The Godfather 2 is my #1 movie of all time. So I'm not knocking Francis Ford in anyway whatsoever.

 

[hex]

@bangbreh

Cinematography is kinda hard to explain because Wikipedia or Google will tell you the definition, or the elements of it, but simply put it's telling a story, or trying to get across a feeling or "vibe" with visuals alone.

For example, this is from "Breaking Bad":

Very shot at face value. What would you make of that? Give me your thoughts and I'll explain the shot.

Here's another shot. Gus on one side, the cartel on the other. A tree branch frames the shot so they're cut off from each other. What do you think that says about their relationship?

Or I'll give you a more obvious example, that I'll explain.

Season 1, "Breaking Bad":

The same room, Season 5:

Here's another example from season 5:

Micheal Slovis the lead cinematographer for "BB" deliberately drained all the light out of the series as Walter has gotten darker and more villainous.

That's cinematography.

Fred.

 

[Ayo]

Micheal Slovis the lead cinematographer for "BB" deliberately drained all the light out of the series as Walter has gotten darker and more villainous.

That's cinematography.

Fred.

Remember the cinematographers job is to mostly bring what the storyboard artist and director created on paper to life.

So the draining of the light is ultimately the choice of whoever directed that episode and the storyboard artist they worked with (some get more free reign than others). It's the job of Michael Slovis to make it a reality.

 

[2 Up 2 Down]

If you have netflix check out the documentary Side by Side. It's all about cinematography