B Research on Cinematography

Definition
Cinematography, the art and technology of motion-picture photography. It
involves such techniques as the general composition of a scene; the lighting of
the set or location; the choice of cameras, lenses, filters, and film stock; the
camera angle and movements; and the combination of any special effects.
Cinematography usually has a big crew with person in lead known as the
cinematographer and the crew involves first cameraman, lighting cameraman or
a director of photography whose job is to add effects and change the lighting

History
Early in history cameras were used to record stage plays by placing a camera on
the tripod and placing it into a central position. By the time of second decade of
20th century the camerawork had advanced and people such as Billy Blitzer had
adapted to doing close ups and start shooting moving vehicles etc. In 1824 Peter
Mark Roget had attempted a study which was called “persistence of vision”, this
was used to see the perception of continuous motion between separate objects
this was one of the ways which can be described as the beginning to motion
pictures

Stanley Kubrick

Stanley was considered intelligent, despite poor grades at school.

Hoping that a change of scenery would produce better academic
Stanley
performance, Kubrick's father sent him in 1940 to Pasadena,
Kubrick hit
California, to stay with his uncle, Martin Perveler. Returning to Movie
the Bronx in 1941 for his last year of grammar school, there
2001: Space
seemed to be little change in his attitude or his results.
Odyessey

The development of the camera crane came later

in 1929 had expanded how people could use the
camera and started expanding using wider angles which is used as a
greater depth of field this was highly used in Gregg Tolands Citizen
Kane 1941. Back in the day it was hard to mix sound with cameras as the
first advanced cameras were very noisy due to the technology not being
as advanced as in the current day until silent cameras were introduced which allowed
sound and the cameras to work very flexible.

Film had evolved rapidly starting in the early 20 th century as the cameras had start to
advanced and were use to capture the main effects of film and was use to capture the
audiences attention. Billy blitzer was one of the main cinematagraphers which had
brought the rise of film and created nearly 500 films. He is credited with origination
the big film techniques such as the close up fade out soft focus and the backlighting.

Film had entered the studio once it got the addition of sound as a unbeatable combo

The 1950s,1960s brought a era of new film such as Hollywood as people started
attending cinema as a widescreen tv and colour effects were added to various aspects
of films

In 1873 the governor of California wanted to capture the horses as they lifted their
hooves so they had lined up 24 cameras as the horses ran they captured 24 shots of
the horses movements therefore creating a series of photos which was later put
together as a short clip which could be used in a movie

In 1882 a Chrono photographer developed a gun which was later to be known as the
photographic gun using this gun you were capable of capturing 12 consecutive frames
within seconds.

In 1890 Thomas Alva Edison wanted to have a device which was used to capture images
utilizing the Eastman Kodak photographic emulsion. On a 35mm wide celluloid film

This was brought along with kinetoscope which was the projector used to display the
work however only one person could watch the whole movie at once as there was only
one peep hole.

In 1892 The black Maria studio the first ever motion picture studio was opened in new
jersey. The director was asked to produce motion pictures and wanted to present the
at Chicago exposition.

In 1893 Record of the sneeze was the oldest motion picture which was recorded at the
library of congress this was shot by the director of the black maria studio.
In 1894 the first kinetoscope parlor was opened in new York after this 1000s of small
company parlours had started to open which was made as a business opportunity

The Cinematographe, two brothers from france were inspired by the kinetoscope so
they had thought to combine the motion picture and the projector all into one which
had created the Cinematographe( which in greek is meant writing with light and motion).

In 1895, in paris in a café the brothers had introduced their invention and people
started to pay in order to watch the films, they had showcased a total of 8 short films
there. This was imported into the united states that following year.

Cinematography became a world renowned art gradually. Many cinematographers

have transitioned into the role of ‘directing’. Of course, the art did not limit
itself to cinema, and took the best talent behind the camera into the television
industry too. Even with developments in lighting, improvisation in techniques, and
the coming of digital photography, the person holding and panning the camera
still matters the most.

Past Oscars Winners For Cinematography

1917

This movie was recognised as the number 1 film in

cinematography. In the reviews people have talked
severally as how the director had used pictures in order
for the point and the way they had put their own emotions
into the pictures grasping the audience’s attention. This
movie is very memorable and it never leaves the viewers
mind and people are usually left speechless at this
astounding movie. The director uses long expansive shots
which follows the protagonists as they are ordered to
execute their mission. It shows the realistic brutality of
war and abundance and is also known for how realistic
this movie is. This movie is recommended for everyone as it shows what a wonder it is
to live in 2020 and how we are blessed that we didn’t have to experience the horrors of
war.

Most people in the imdb reviews have said that this is one of the best camerawork that
they have seen over the years also some had said that usually people don’t make films
about ww2 whereas this one is based in ww1 as that was more of a vicious and terrifying
war. The contrast between humanity and violence really capture the minds of todays
audience as this is not something that is commonly seen in the nowadays generation.
The use of the single shot is brilliant as it brings the viewer along the trenches which
adds further to the realism of the film. The set pieces were so realistic and detailed and I
love the fact that they kept moving the camera along with the action capturing every
scene of the incredible war without leaving any detail.

I think a good example to show the camera work

was the scene where Schofield runs through a
destroyed city. It was lit up by flares in the sky.
Because the flares were the main source of
lighting for certain shots in this scene, the crew
needed to time exactly how long the flares would
be in the air. So they tested it on a mini-model of
the city with a light contraption that traced which
directions the shadows would move and how light would fall through the buildings'
windows.

Roma

This movie had specialising in panning most of the movie is

panning for example this movie was very artistic as there was 90
degrees panning 180 and even 480 degrees. In the Imdb reviews
people didn’t praise the storyline as much as the panning which
was involved. The panning and the tracking was what really had
caught the audiences eye and that was what had captured the hearts
while watching this film. Most people didn’t really relate to the
story but still had good reviews due to the well done camera work
done throughout the movie.

Many people had said how the camerawork really brought the
emotions out of the characters and showed how the family had struggled in the tough streets
of Mexico. In some scenes there is not much dialogue but the cinematography really had
spoke for it self as it was very detailed and the shot was showing each emotion of each
character and really captured the background moments of the movie. The camera used in this
movie was specialized in taking wide shots such as panning and tracking every scene. The
cinematographer had said that he had the actors retaking shots since there was some vital
details missing in the background this shows how much he wanted to focus on capturing
every little detail in the movie and how he wanted the little details to bring out emotions out
of the audiences heart.
This sequence of the children playing was one of the few to be shot with two cameras–
to ensure the sunlight would be in the perfect position for both shots and also guarantee
“perfect continuity” when cutting between the two angles in the editing room, as Cuarón
told American Cinematographer. This what the cinematographer had said about this
specific shot. In the shot you can see the wide shot he has token to capture the essence
of the moment. Also you can see how every detail is captured in the scene and the scene
carrys on tracking the children as they are playing. The person which had taken this
image specailises in taking landscape shots and also loves to take shots of the forest and
have that wide experience

Roger Deakin (One of the best

cinematographers)

Roger Deakins is one of the most influential

cinematographers of our time he has won 2 oscars in
his time

His cinematography is very simple, he goes

for very simple. He uses simple lighting
methods, simple low saturation colour
schemes and smooth and steady camerawork.
He was the proud cinematographer of the famous film 1917 and Blade runner 2049 which
had various scenes where the camerawork was successful. Deakin is a very patient worker
and he will take a variety of takes in order to get the shot right like he did in his film 1917.

He had said in a interview that he had always taken pictures and drawn and now hes making
Oscar nominating movies. He had also said that you should be noticing the little things on set
and communication is a very big factor in order for a film to be a successful. One of the thing
about Deakins camerawork he had said that the move from digital film hasn’t really impacted
his techniques as he has said the small cameras have just helped for back pain and not
necessarily any of the techniques he uses and his films are still a success

One of his most inspirational quotes is “I feel like im learning all the time”, this shows as
successful as he is he still believes that he could improve on certain parts. For his movies he
likes to use a single camera with very simple lighting however on some action movies such as
Skyfall a lot of prep and lighting was needed in order for certain scenes to be a success. He
had shots his last 3 films digitally and tried to really connect with the characters as he had
said he wanted to them to “feel the darkness” which means he wanted to connect with the
characters on a emotional level.

His top two films 1917 and blade runner 2049 have won the Oscar for best cinematography
and he is also ranked as the number 1 cinematographer in the world which is crazy for a man
of 71 years old and also getting nominated for several awards. He has worked with the well
known Coen Brothers and has won awards and 3 films without them still have won bafta
awards for cinematography also he has been in the business for several years since the 2000s.
 Bibliography

Korman K. (2018). A Brief History Of Cinematography For Today's Creatives. Available:

https://www.skillshare.com/blog/learn/a-brief-history-of-cinematography-for-todays-
creatives. Last accessed 24th September 2020.

N/A. (N/A). Lights, Camera, Action! The Great History of Cinematography. Available:

https://entertainism.com/history-of-cinematography. Last accessed 24th Sep 2020.

N/A. (N/A). Stanley Kubrick-Biography. Available:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000040/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm. Last accessed 24th
Sep 2020.

N/A. (2020). 1917 (2019). Available: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8579674/?

ref_=ttls_li_tt. Last accessed 24th Sep 2020.

IndieWire Staff. (2018). Roger Deakins Explains Why He Insists on Operating the

Camera Himself — Watch. Available: https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/roger-
deakins-cinematoraphy-philosophy-arri-100-years-1201933108/. Last accessed 24th
Sep 2020.

Felk, Q. (N/A). Roger Deakins Talks Cinematography, Skyfall and The Coens. Available:

http://guru.bafta.org/roger-deakins-talks-cinematography-skyfall-and-the-coens. Last
accessed 24th Sep 2020.