Greg_Nuspel
10-15-2013, 07:11 AM
This is the question you should ask yourself with every shot.
Why is it lit this way?
Why am I moving the camera this way?
Why am I using shallow depth of field?
Why am I insane? (OK we all know the answer to that one since you're a photographer)
If the answer to any of these questions is:
Because it's cool.
I saw it on a video once.
I own this equipment so I'm going to use it.
Then rethink your approach the answers should always be something like:
It communicates the story visually.
In film it is visual communication not a narration that should move the story forward. Just look at the last Star Wars where during fight scenes everything was explained not shown, an epic FAIL. Now look at Breaking Bad once Michael Slovis became the director of photography, so many things are just visually communicated. Breaking Bad could in itself be used to teach an entire course on visual communication, watch the selective focus, use of lighting, and how the key subject is in the frame.
I'm not saying don't try the fancy moves etc., practice the heck out of every skill you have. Just remember to observe how these skills communicate emotion, subject focus, and carry the story forward. Practice so you know when to use something and don't do it just because it is cool. Cool becomes cliche very quickly and your video will look like what everyone else is doing. Just watch the majority of wedding videos and see how cookie cutter they have become, break the mold and do something people remember.
(Please remember this is also a pep talk for myself, I have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the journey.)
Why is it lit this way?
Why am I moving the camera this way?
Why am I using shallow depth of field?
Why am I insane? (OK we all know the answer to that one since you're a photographer)
If the answer to any of these questions is:
Because it's cool.
I saw it on a video once.
I own this equipment so I'm going to use it.
Then rethink your approach the answers should always be something like:
It communicates the story visually.
In film it is visual communication not a narration that should move the story forward. Just look at the last Star Wars where during fight scenes everything was explained not shown, an epic FAIL. Now look at Breaking Bad once Michael Slovis became the director of photography, so many things are just visually communicated. Breaking Bad could in itself be used to teach an entire course on visual communication, watch the selective focus, use of lighting, and how the key subject is in the frame.
I'm not saying don't try the fancy moves etc., practice the heck out of every skill you have. Just remember to observe how these skills communicate emotion, subject focus, and carry the story forward. Practice so you know when to use something and don't do it just because it is cool. Cool becomes cliche very quickly and your video will look like what everyone else is doing. Just watch the majority of wedding videos and see how cookie cutter they have become, break the mold and do something people remember.
(Please remember this is also a pep talk for myself, I have a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the journey.)