Blog Post #5 - Inspirational Lighting

Alex Prager

I stumbled across this photographer and I'm really drawn to her use of light and color. The colors are so bright and saturated.  She uses light to move attention to what she wants her viewers to see. For Example in the first image all of the women are lit however the blonde in the middle is the brightest because she is the focus of the shot. 

Sally Mann

Sally man photography is mostly black and white and i like her lighting because of her use of contrast. The use of black and white changes depending on the mood of the photo. In the first image of the little girl smoking a cigarrete is the darkest with her in white. I think its to show shes innocent but corrupted by a dark world.

Ultimately I'm really inspired by bright high key photos with saturated colors. I'm a very passionate person and I enjoy images that promote strong emotions.

#4 DSLR Camera Stenghts and Weaknesses

DSLR Cameras create beautiful images and have cameras from beginning videographers to professionals. Here are the basics. DSLR Cameras are primarily made for photographers however, since these Cameras have added a video mode, many videographers are using them to create cinematic masterpieces. They have a large CMOS sensor inside and the size of the sensor varies from camera to camera. They also have interchangeable lenses and they are larger than a pocket camera. In this post I am going to compare a few different DSLR Cameras strengths and weaknesses.

This is a Sensor Size Map for different DSLR Cameras.

Cannon 5D Mark II

Strenghts
Cannon 5D has a full frame sensor which means its makes clear and smooth images. Also a full frame sensor makes its easy to use an array of lenses without having to worry about a crop factor.

Weaknesses
The sound quality isn't great however it is useable you just might end up with a lot of backgronud noise. Also The full Frame sensor creates a very shallow depth of field so shallow it can be hard can be hard to kkep your subject in focus with even the slightest movement.

Cannon T2i 

Strenghts
This Camera has a smaller sensor, an APS-C however its not much smaller than the 35mm full frame. It also has a huge LCD screen on the back which is great if you don't have a monitor. Finally because the camera can shoot in 1080p, 24p/25p/30p at 720p, 50p/60p its great for slow motion shots. Low Price.

Weaknesses
This camera isn't very good at shooting stills because is a slow continuous shutter speed. Also it heats up quickly which cause poor quality shots and noise.

Cannon EOS 7D

Strengths
This cameras HDMI output remains at 1080 when recording, while it can drop to 480 on other cameras. It is almost weatherproof, it can record in rain or snow. It has an APS-C sensor and can shoot in various ways just like the T2i

Weaknesses
No audio control, heats up easily.

In conclusion,  there are all different cameras for different budgets and shooting styles. I think th emost important thing about DSLR cameras is they provide cinematic quality images and help the film maker hone his craft.

Blog #3 - Camera Movement

http://youtu.be/bekPlGy0ZoY?t=1s

Chicago - Cell Block Tango

This Video uses panning and frame within a frame throughout the video, but my favorite is when they zoom in on Tae Diggs through the cell bars (00:31). Throughout this segment of the film panning is used to show all of the different elements of the dancing.

http://youtu.be/Lg8Oq_Sd3Bw

School Daze - Wake Up

In this scene, I think the director wanted to make the main character look out of place. He's screaming "Wake Up!" so there is a flair like sunrise behind him. At (00:46) he rises himself above the school bell with the use of panning and a zoom. Its pretty cool.

http://youtu.be/KEzzbBc7Tw4

Chocolat - Trailer

In this trailer first it shows the town. Then the trailer shows the town is about to be turned upside down by showing the church from a birds eye view and it is in a spinning motion.

Blog Post #2 - 5 Favorite Film Scenes

Title - Rize
Released - 2005
Director - David LaChapelle

This movie is about a group of dancers in Los Angelas. This scene is so powerful because it uses Medium- Shots to show up close how the dancers move. However not getting too close the viewers cant see the dancers movement. The Cinematographer also used slow motion and saturated colors to personify every move.

Title - Rabbit-Proof Fence

Released - 2002

Director - Phillip Noyce

This film follows three Native Australian children on their journey to freedom from Australian assimilation. In this scene the camera moves slowly showing the children in a medium- close up. This way the viewers can see all three of them at once. This seen is compelling because it make you empathize with each of the characters without much dialogue.

Title - Whale Rider

Released - 2002

Director - Niki Caro

In this film Paikea Apirana dreams of becoming the chief of her tribe. She is rightfully the next leader other than the fact she is a girl. In this scene she finds an unusual teacher in her uncle instead of her grandfather. This scene shows the difference between where the boys her age are learning how to lead the tribe- and where Paikea is forced to learn, in her uncles back yard. The scene uses a medium long shot on her uncle and includes their family as well as the studying Paikea in the background. The scene is compelling because so many differences are shown from Paikea surroundings and the unworthy little boys.

Title - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Released - 2005

Director - Tim Burton

This opening scene inside the factory has an amazing use of vibrant colors. Most of the shots are wide shots because there is so much detail to include from the scenery. Also with the comfortable wide shots and the vibrant colors if you didn't know the Willy Wonka story you would think it was a happy place. On the contrary, you have been fooled.

Title - Austrailia

Released - 2008

Director - Baz Luhrmann

This romantic two shot makes Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman look like they are alone in the world. The scene is intimate because it is a Medium close up of the both of them in their warm embrace. Their characters are complete opposites however this scene shows them as one.

Blog Post # 1, 10 favorite images

Context 
Title -  Moulin Rouge!
Director - Baz Luhrman
Cinematographer - Donald McAlpine
When -  2001
Budget - 50 million dollar budget
Place - 20th century France
Distributor - 20th Century Fox
Why - profit and entertainment

Content
Genres - Musical
Theme - Truth Freedom Beauty and Love
Thesis - An English writer falls in love with a courtesan. Their love is impossible because she must love whom ever pays for her. However their love is strong and ultimately "overcomes all obstacles".
Message - Love Conquers All

Form
Aesthetics - Medium Long Shot, profile two shot, soft focus with high contrast, vibrant colors
Film Form - Romantic comedy and it is a musical. The musical selections are shot like dreams. They have a lot of visual effects such as bright lights as well as smoke and uncomfortable close ups.

Context 
Title -  Kill Bill Volume I
Director - Quentin Tarantino
Cinematographer - Robert Richardson
When -  2003
Budget - 55 million dollar budget, shared with Volume II
Place - United States, Japan
Distributor -  Miramax Films
Why - Entertainment, Profit, and Artistic

Content
Genres - Action
Cinematography
Theme - Martial Arts Film
Thesis - An ex assassin goes on a journey to kill her former team mates because they killed her bridal party and tried to kill her.
Message - Skilled fighter

Form

Aesthetics - Long Shot, vibrant colors, 

Film Form - Made like a Japanese, Martial Arts film so the shots are in focus because most of the time what is happening in the background is just as important as the foreground.

Context 
Title - The Notebook

Director - Nick Cassavetes

Cinematographer - Robert Fraisse

When -  2004
Budget - 29 million
Place - Southern United States, 1940's
Distributor - Miramax Films
Why - Entertainment and Profit

Content
Genres - Romance
Theme - Love overcoming class barriers
Thesis - A young couple falls in love during the 1940's. Their love has to survive war, social class differences, and ultimately Alzheimer's and old age
Message - Young Love

Form

Aesthetics - Medium Shot, soft colors, natural light, 

Very Little Contrast

Film Form - Romantic Love story set in the 1940's, the focus is never harsh and the objects of importance are in focus. Natural Light

Context 
Title - Pan's Labyrinth

Director - Guillermo del Torro

Cinematographer -  Guillermo Navarro

When -  2006
Budget - 19 million
Place - Mexico, Spain
Distributor - Warner Bros./ Picturehouse
Why - Entertainment, Profit, and Artistic

Content
Genres - Dark Fantasy
Theme - Rebellion, self discovery, imagination
Thesis - Young Ofelia must complete three tasks to return to save her mother and return home to her real father.
Message - The Faun must tell Ofelia what she must do.

Form

Aesthetics - Medium profile two-shot, Dark, Cool colors, Important contrast on Ophelia because she is most important in the shot. Everything else blends together.

Film Form - Dark Fairytale. In this shot the Faun and Ophelia are in focus and the background makes them seem caged in. The entire movie is very dark giving it a mysterious and thrilling feel.

Context 
Title - School Daze

Director - Spike Lee

Cinematographer - Ernest Dickerson

When -  1988
Budget - 6.5 million
Place - Historically Black College, Late 80's
Distributor - Miramax Films
Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content
Genres - Drama
Theme - Racism within the African American community
Thesis - Spike Lee plays a pledge trying to join Gamma Phi Gamma Fraternity. He shows the hardships  in the African American community from hair texture to skin color and everywhere in between.
Message - Shows Julian trying to break Half-Pints spirit.

Form

Aesthetics - Big close- up two shot, Soft focus (made in the 80's)

Film Form - This film is depicting experiences Spike Lee had in college. The shots colors are very realistic as if the viewers are in the scenes as well. This close up is important to show Half-Pint (right) and Julian's (left) expressions.

Context 
Title - 300

Director - Zack Snyder

Cinematographer - Larry Fong

When -  2006
Budget - 65 million
Place - Sparta
Distributor - Warner Bros. Pictures
Why - Entertainment, Profit, Artistic

Content
Genres - Action
Theme - Gory through battle.
Thesis - King of Sparta, Leonidas, leads 300 Spartans into battle to defeat the Persians.
Message - Strength isn't always in Numbers.

Form

Aesthetics - Medium shot, Dark, Monochromatic accept the color red. Height Contrast, over exposed back ground.

Film Form - 300 makes 

Leonidas and his soldiers look like Gods. The heavenly halo of light around his head makes him look like he just came from the sky or is about to return there. Also the soldiers in the background make 

Leonidas look ready for anything. The only vibrant color in the film is red. The color or blood and the Spartans Uniforms, make them both all the more important.

Context 
Title - Enchanted

Director - Kevin Lima

Cinematographer - Don Burgess

When -  2007
Budget - 85 million
Place - New York City
Distributor - Walt Disney Pictures
Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content
Genres - Romantic Comedy
Theme - True Loves First Kiss
Thesis - Ella gets sent to New York City by the Evil Queen. There she finds true Love and a new out look on life.
Message - She is an innocent naive princess.

Form

Aesthetics - Medium close -up, Bright colors, natural look

Film Form - The film in real life depicts a classic fairy tale, the colors are just as vibrant as they would be in a cartoon. Saturated tones where the most important objects the brightest.

Context 
Title - Edward Scissorhands

Director - Tim Burton

Cinematographer - Stefan Czapsky

When -  1990
Budget - 20 million
Place - Fictional Suburban Community
Distributor - 20th Century Fox
Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content
Genres - Romantic Fantasy
Theme - self discovery and isolation
Thesis - An unfinished creation Edward Scissor hands makes his way out of his home into a suburban town where he is first feared then he finds his place in the little community. However, he soon realizes he is too different to fit into the outside world.
Message - Edward has ruined his hands, therefore he wont ever be normal.

Form
Aesthetics - Close up, Face in focus, Dark
Film Form - In this image Edward's creator has just died and he has ruined his chance at ever being completely normal. The Cinematographer chose to put Edward face in focus to show his expression at this life changing moment.

Context 

Title - Phantom of the Opera

Director - Joel Schumacher

Cinematographer - John Mathieson

When -  2004

Budget - 70 million

Place - Paris, 1870

Distributor - Warner Bros. Pictures

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Romantic Fantasy

Theme - Unrequited love

Thesis - The Phantom of the Opera falls in love with Christine and hopes to woo her without her ever seeing his face. When it doesn't work he kidnaps her however her lover saves her in the end.

Message - The Phantom of the Opera is always there

Form

Aesthetics - Close Up, two shot, dark, low contrast, soft focus

Film Form - In this Romantic fantasy it is very dark to show the darkness of the phantom. In contrast Christine is always light to show her innocence.

Context 

Title - Secret Life of Bees

Director - Gina Prince-Bythewood

Cinematographer - Rogier Stoffers

When -  2008

Budget - 11 million

Place - Carolina, 1964

Distributor - Fox Searchlight Pictures

Why - Entertainment, Profit

Content

Genres - Romantic Fantasy

Theme - Good in everyone, Love, Race, Civil Rights

Thesis - Rosaleen and Lilly flee to Augusts house to find clues about Lilly's mother. There they find solace and the beginning of a better life.

Message - Good in even a tiny bee

Form

Aesthetics - Medium close-up, soft colors, shallow depth of field, natural light

Film Form - Soft Intimate film with little Contrast and soft colors. The film is a little ethereal because of the use of nature through out. The colors are realistic.