Are there certain movies you love because of how they’re filmed? From the way the scenery is depicted to the use of lighting, transitions, etc., you appreciate how these motion pictures are captured on film. There’s a reason for that, and the answer is cinematography.
But what exactly is cinematography? You’re likely familiar with the term, and have even used it to describe your favorite films. But what does cinematography really mean, and how is it accomplished? Let’s take a look.
Cinematography Definition
Cinematography is the art of photography and visual story telling in motion pictures (whether movies or TV shows). It is the composition of what’s captured on film, and the technology used to accomplish that. All on-screen elements – lighting, framing, camera angle, type of film, lens, zoom, color, focus, exposure, etc.—make up cinematography.
Aim of Cinematography
The aim of cinematography is to create and capture a visual narrative on film. In other words, cinematography creates an aesthetic, or sets the tone for a film. When done right, motion pictures are cohesive and captivating storylines, told in visual form.
Broad questions a cinematographer might consider are: What is the story being told? What is the genre? What is the setting? Who is the target audience?
Budget, of course, is another factor.
Cinematographer’s Role
The person in charge of creating a film’s distinct look and feel on camera is the cinematographer, also referred to as the Director of Photography. Cinematographers discuss and create the visual style and execution of a film, depending on the story. The cinematographer also heads the camera and lighting crews.
Working with the camera and lighting crews, cinematographers establish the lighting and camera set ups for each shot. For example, to create a feeling of suspense in a drama or horror film, little lightning may be dim, and the camera may zoom on an actor’s face to better portray their unease. In films such as Westerns with epic outdoor settings, cinematographers may utilize natural light and wide shots to better portray the vastness of the Western US.
It’s important to note that cinematographers work during all three stages of production for a film: pre-production, production, and post-production.
Cinematography v. Videography
Cinematography and videography are similar in that both produce footage. Where they differ however is in the approach, resources, events, and time spent in creating film. Cinematography takes an artistic approach and as a result, requires in depth planning, and often a large support crew.
A prime example cinematography work are movies, with plenty of equipment and people to properly plan and compose moments on film.
Videography on the other hand is about recording live events in the moment. Videography utilizes far fewer resources, and can be accomplished by one person, or with a small team. An example is a one person crew or small team recording a wedding.
Five Outstanding Examples of Cinematography in The Last Ten Years
What are the best cinematography examples? The answers of course vary from person to person. Cinematography’s goal is to create, emphasize, and enhance a storyline without detracting from the plot and tone. Here are five examples of incredible movies that accomplish this:
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
While the hit show’s plot and character development stand on their own, what made the show even more memorable – and terrifying – was its utterly unique cinematography, not often seen in TV shows. From stunning time lapses to unique camera angles, to colorful filters, the filming of Breaking Bad is an art.
From portraying out of control drug induced psychosis, fights and violence among the characters, to capturing the bleak beauty of the desert southwest, Breaking Bad is a feast for the eyes. Collaborating with show creator Vince Gillian, cinematographer Michael Slovis certainly set the bar for cinematography in TV shows.
1917 (2019)
A film that is shot to appear as one continuous, long take, certainly involves strategic cinematography. 1917 portrays the desperate plight of a WW1 English solider on a mission to deliver crucial information within enemy territory, to prevent his comrades from falling into a trap.
Protagonist William Schofield’s nine-mile odyssey, following maze-like trenches to skirt bullets on the wastelands of No Man’s Land, emphasizes not only the terror of battle, but also the sheer exhaustion and utter destruction war inflicts.
With plenty of editing to stitch scenes together, 1917’s cinematographer Roger Deakins remarks, “All films require collaboration, but this was a more fine-tuned ballet than most, with the crew, cameras and mechanics all needing to be in-sync with what the actors were doing.”
Dunkirk (2017)
Hailed by many as one of the best war films ever made, Dunkirk’s three storylines – land, sea, and air – are each given justice by its stunning cinematography. Given that 70% of the film is shot in IMAX, Dunkirk is a visual spectacle.
The dogfights between British Spitfires and German Messerschmidts are beautifully captured against the dark blue skies and the cold waters of the English Channel. On land, on the Dunkirk beaches, the camera paints a grim portrait of British and French soldiers looking for cover and for rescue, in less than favorable weather conditions.
“This was really trying to put yourself in the shoes of those kids that were on the beach, and trying to reproduce that in as visual a way as possible,” Dunkirk’s cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema explains. The closing scene, in which an English pilot sets alight his downed Spitfire on the beach, is by far one of the most poignant scenes of any war film.
Life of Pi (2012)
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, the film adaptation’s cinematography is strikingly beautiful. An adventure tale, the majority of the story’s setting is in the Pacific Ocean. To avoid the limited color palette of being adrift on the ocean, Life of Pi deftly utilizes CGI to present a vibrant array of colors and an otherworldly feel.
From the warm golds of the setting sun on the water, to dreamlike underwater sequences, to the fascinating interactions between Pi and Richard Parker the tiger, this film is more than a survival tale. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda creates a work of art.
The Revenant (2015)
The incredibly brutal survival story of the real-life Hugh Glass is brought to life by strategic cinematography. In addition to the graphic bear attack scene, the Arikara attack on the trappers is unforgettable. The majority of the scene was shot in one continuous take. Of particular note is that the film was shot nearly 100% in natural light.
In the words of the film’s cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, “We wanted to make a movie that was immersive and visceral. The idea of using natural light came because we wanted the audience to feel, I hope, that this stuff is really happening.” Indeed, the use of natural lights furthers conveys the harsh conditions of the Rocky Mountains in the winter.