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[lukeolivier]

Useful Article

https://www.adorama.com/alc/14-basic-cinematography-techniques-for-better-cinematic-shots

[lukeolivier]

Research- Wide Shot & Tracking

In this scene from Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’ we see the use of a wide shot multiple times effectively and also the tracking technique.

Multiple times in this scene Nolan employs a wide shot. The use of this type of shot helps the audience appreciate the scale of the scenario. How big the beach is, how many people there are on it, how many need saving. Another technique used in this scene is tracking. At the very start of the scene we see the camera tracking the main character walking through the queues of people. This technique is effective because it helps put us in the characters shoes, we are going where he is, seeing the same things at the same time as him which helps build a sense of fear later on in the scene during the bombing as we already feel closely connected to the scene.

[lukeolivier]

Research- Over the Shoulder

In this clip from Greta Gerwigs ‘Little Women’ (2019) we see effective use of the over the shoulder technique.

This scene is of a conversation between Laurie and Amy where eventually Laurie tells Amy not to marry the person she is planning to and marry him instead. She does not take this well and walks away upset. Throughout the scene the over the shoulder shot is employed multiple times. It is effective because it allows us to see the reactions of the person listening whilst also telling us clearly who is doing the talking though the latter point is less important in this scene as there are only two people talking. The reactions are really important in this scene as it is a highly emotional deep conversation and we learn a lot about the characters by seeing their expressions change while the other talks.

[lukeolivier]

Research- Close Up

In this clip from Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ we see effective use of the close up technique.

Two minutes in Brodie has lost one of his weapons, the spear, and all he has left is his rifle. As the music speeds up and intensifies the shark turns round for a final attack. As the shark approaches the camera switches between Brodie and the shark, each time it switches the camera moves closer as a representative of the closing distance between the two of them which is a great way of building then tension and making the audience nervous. After a extreme close up of Brodie saying his one liner he successfully shoots the gas tank jammed in the sharks mouth and the camera cuts to a wide shot showing the effect of the explosion, a mixture of blood, water, and gas flying up into the air.

[lukeolivier]

Research

Nowadays having the skill to create videos using your DSLR is becoming more and more of a requirement when working as a photographer. One market where this is evident is in property. Before if you were working for a real estate agent they would just ask for photographs of the property but now they often expect you to be able to create a video of the property as well. Video has become more and more popular so often clients will ask for a video as well as photographs, an example of this could be any high street business. They would like photographs but also a small video that they can put on social media or on a website for example.

Below are some of the techniques used in moving image sequences,

- Panning

- Tilt

- Over the shoulder

Panning is where you turn the camera while shooting. Often used to follow someone walking. See example below.

Tilt is essentially the vertical version of the panning shot, often used as an establishing shot or to reveal something at the end of the shot. See example below.

Over the shoulder shots show an out of focus head and shoulder in the foreground while another person or object in the background is in focus. This shot is often used during dialogue scenes or to show a persons perspective.