Are you shooting your first video? If yes, then maybe you first need to equip yourself with basic knowledge of cinematography techniques that can help you succeed.
Cinematography is mainly the art of visual storytelling. If you are the master of this art, then nothing can beat you to rise. But if you don’t know how to do it, then, unfortunately, you are far behind in the race and your competitors are winning.
Since movies are visual mediums, so the best-shot films are only the ones in which your viewers can easily tell what is going on in the scene even without even listening to any dialogue. If you have never gone to film school, then I bet you won’t be aware of all the techniques that can help you out during the project.
But don’t worry. I am going to reveal some excellent and powerful cinematography techniques that can ensure guaranteed success in your first project.
- Cameo Lighting:
Camera lighting is associated with a single spotlight that mainly focuses on a character or any specific object, and then brings it to your audience’s attention. Now the focus of the cameo light becomes accentuated and is greatly viewed in the angelic light.
- Flood Lighting:
Floodlighting or wash lighting is one of the common cinematography techniques which lights up the whole scene evenly by using powerful wide-beam light sources. It is commonly used for illuminating a theater stage or the exterior side of the building.
- Backlighting:
Backlighting refers to a lighting source that is placed behind all the actors relative to the camera’s perspective. This backlight mainly defines the features of the characters and allows them to stand out dramatically, especially if it’s a dark background.
- Three-Point Lighting:
Three-point lighting is mainly a classic setup that features some key light, fill light as well as a backlight. Now all of these sources are positioned systematically around the scene so they can create an attractive yet flattering system.
This method is standard for different film and photography types.
- Mood Lighting:
Mood lighting is another interesting film technique that is simply based on a color theory. The technique is centered around multiple dramatic setups that have some great warm or cold light palettes. Let’s suppose, that blue light is usually best to display sadness and different gloomy emotions in the scene.
- Extreme Long Shot:
The extreme long shot captures the whole wide area while focusing on the surroundings instead of the characters moving along. This shot is best for showing the scale of subjects as well as putting them accurately based on the context of their environment, usually for establishing shots.
- Medium Shot:
The medium shot is one of the frequently used cinematography techniques. It usually has the half or third part of the characters’ bodies which makes it an exceptional shot for dialogues because it also conveys the message through body language when the facial expressions also remain visible.
Medium shots are mostly used in documentary interviews, comedy movies, or romantic comedies.
- Dutch Angle Shot:
Dutch angle shot is another interesting and creative film technique in which the camera is rotated. And the horizon is not parallel to the bottom of the frame.
The technique is best used for conveying disorientation and unease, which means it is commonly used in suspense, thriller, and horror movies.
- Point of View Shot:
Another common shot is a point-of-view or POV shot that allows viewers to see through the eyes of the characters in the film. It makes the viewers feel like they are also part of the story as well as related to the characters. POV shots are managed by mounting a camera to equipment on the head of the playing actor.
- Tilt Shot:
In the tilt shot, the camera moves vertically up or down from its fixed position. This shot is used to direct the focus of your audience and is best used for several dramatic reveals or introductory shots.
- Zoom Shot:
A zoom shot is also a very popular technique in which there is no actual camera movement. This shot is responsible for bringing visuals closer or further from the cam while adjusting the lens. Zoom shots are usually taken with zoom lenses which allows them to change the focal length on the go.
- Crane Shot:
This is also a very simple yet interesting type of shot. It is basically a shot in which the camera is mounted on a crane. Now while doing the scene, the camera moves up and down vertically, in a slow manner.
Conclusion:
Finally, you are now familiar with these 12 most important and popular cinematic shots that are used for every project.
So, which ones are you planning to try first?Or if you are confused or think you cannot handle them professionally. Then it’s time to consult with the best media and film production company in Pakistan that can help you implement every shot efficiently and professionally. Let’s talk to our specialists and learn how the process works.
