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Composition

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  1. Depth
  2. Head Room
  3. Nose Room
  4. Rule of Thirds

Composition

  • Three Video Tricks to Play on Your Viewers

    Jackson Wong - May 28th, 2013

    Brick wall with painting of a zipper opening up to reveal a building
    Video is such an illusion. We're a bunch of tricksters, just fooling audiences by the second. Yes, you may have heard us mention frames per second or even 24p and 30p. These terms in our vocabulary are so basic because we create the visual perception of motion with many images shown in a second. Rarely do we spend time thinking of the illusion itself. Let us begin with a quick video that tests your brain's visual perception. Go through the test and look into the findings to discover more of how your brain works.

  • Mastering Depth-of-Field - Part 2

    3 shots compared with different settings to demonstrate depth of field

    The basic concepts of controlling depth of field with aperture, focal length, and distance are fairly easy to grasp, and we covered those topics in part one of this series, but now it's time to dig a little deeper. In this segment, we talk about perceived depth of field, how sensor size and angle of view can affect your ability to get the depth of field you want, and using depth of field to rack focus. There's a lot of confusion surrounding these topics, but a little common sense, and of course a bit of math and science can help us break it all down.

  • Breaking Down the 180-Degree Rule

    overhead shot of 3 person dialogue sceen

    There's a lot more to shooting a great scene than just planting a camera somewhere and yelling action. We all want to shoot a scene that can be cut together to achieve great continuity with a good variety of shots. The 180-degree rule is a useful tool to help you achieve this. In this segment we talk about the basic principles of the rule, establishing action lines, working with shifting action lines, and redefining the action line using neutral shots, camera movement, and cutaways. Knowing how to apply the 180-degree rule, and when you might want to break it can take your production skills to a higher level.

  • Visual Storytelling in Road to Perdition

    Still frame from the movie Road to Perdition, dead bodies on the ground, Paul Newman's character standing alone

    Released in 2002, “Road to Perdition” won the academy award for best cinematography. Director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Conrad Hall created a bleak style to represent Chicago in the 1930s, and used stunning imagery and beautiful camera moves to bring meaning to an intense murder scene.

  • Creative Lighting and Camera Work in the Assassination of Jesse James

    Screenshot of a train coming toward the camera

    Directed by Andrew Dominik, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” uses creative lighting and camera work that results in effective visuals to enhance the story. Released in 2007 this film's cinematography earned Roger Deakins an Academy Award nomination.

  • Shadows and Light: 20 Video Tips for Shooting in the Snow

    Jennifer O'Rourke - December 28th, 2012

    shot of photographer lying in the snow shooting with a camera
    Capturing video in the bright snowy light is one of the most challenging conditions you can shoot in. Not only is shooting in the snow cold and your camera isn't happy with it, either! Creatively and technically when shooting in the snow, you are challenged from the moment you arrive. Here are 20 tips to capturing video and protecting your gear in that cold white wonderland.

  • 6 Reasons To Go Hand-Held

    mhageman - Mon, 11/12/2012 - 9:40am

    girl shooting video with a camera
    Hand-held camerawork has become a staple of modern film/video production. It's time to ditch the tripod and get your hands dirty.

  • Camera Moves: Back to Basics

    Anonymous (not verified) - Sun, 07/01/2012 - 12:00am

    Camera Moves: Back to Basics
    If you want to get serious about shooting, it's not enough to watch movies and emulate the masters, you need to know the terms of the shots and what they mean.

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