Cinematography is a term that encompasses the art, craft, and technology of motion-picture photography It is the art of capturing moving images on film or electronic sensor for aesthetic and narrative purposes. Cinematographers are responsible for the look and feel of the visual elements in a film, and this includes controlling the camera’s placement and movement; the lighting; the lens selection and framing; the color palette; and the angles and camera techniques used to create a film’s desired look. Cinematography is an integral part of filmmaking, and is one of the most important elements in conveying mood, tone, and emotion.
Great cinematography should draw viewers into the story, take them on a journey, and keep them engaged throughout the film. Here are five examples of great cinematography:
1. The Godfather (1972): Director Francis Ford Coppola was lucky to have the great cinematographer, Gordon Willis, on board for this classic mobster film. Willis’s contributions to the movie include his use of deep shadows, low angles, and high contrast lighting to create a claustrophobic atmosphere and a sense of unease that perfectly fits the story.
2. Citizen Kane (1941): This is often considered one of the greatest films of all time and is renowned for its inventive, pioneering use of deep-focus cinematography. The deep-focus technique, created by Orson Welles’s cinematographer, Gregg Toland, allowed for dialogue and action to be in focus at the same time, no matter how deep in the background the scenes were.
3. The Third Man (1949): Cinematographer Robert Krasker, who worked closely with director Carol Reed on this film, used many iconic, noir-style shots to create a uniquely atmospheric, unsettling look throughout the movie. His use of stark lighting contrasts, slanted camera angles, and deep shadows helped to emphasize the sordid plot and tone of the movie.
4. The Shining (1980): Cinematographer John Alcott used inventive camera techniques and lighting tricks to help create the frightening, ominous atmosphere in Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic. He used innovative zooms and transitions, coupled with canny use of natural lighting, to create an eerie and oppressive mood that remains unrivaled.
5. Blade Runner (1982): CinematographerJordan Cronenweth used a combination of old-school and new camera techniques to create a unique, dystopian feel for Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic. His use of slow tracking, low-key lighting, and futuristic camera angles help to bring the world of Blade Runner to life.
Great cinematography ultimately helps to bring a director’s vision to life, and can often make a movie iconic and timeless. From classic noir flicks to modern horror, great cinematography is everywhere. You just have to know where to look.