Film Composition Reflection

My film composition certainly had some weak points that could use some work. The camera work was distracting in a few instances. Particularly, in the leading lines clip, the zoom caused the image to get out of focus. Next time, we can try to test the zoom beforehand so that we can be sure we get a clear shot throughout. Our informal balance shot was also shaky and partially cut off one of our heads. We can fix this by taking our time to check if the camera is able to include all the elements we need.

The editing was also problematic in some instances. The titles could've been the same font to offer a more unified look. I also felt that some of the editing of the clips was abrupt and did not turn out as expected. For instance, the framing shot was intended to include pushing our prop out of the shot as the ending, but this couldn't happen because the five seconds were used up with the other action. This also relates back to our camera work and planning, as the walking portion took longer than expected. This can fixed by planning better and reshooting if necessary. Lastly, the video ends without a black background. Adding the black background to the end would allow the video to fade out rather than quickly stop without warning.

Elements and Principles of Art

PHOTOGRAPHY AS ART

Photography is more than combining cameras, lenses, and film; it is about using those tools in combination with the elements and principles of design to create visual art.  Understanding how to use the elements and principles will turn your “snap shots” into photographic works of art.  Define the following terms.

Elements of Design

Line: using certain types of lines in photography creates different moods and lead the viewer to the subject   ·          Leading o   Lines within a picture which direct the eye to a different point ·         Vertical o   In a composition, vertical lines add moods such as strength, power, and growth. ·         Horizontal o   Horizontal lines, such as horizons act as stabilizers in an image that add a calm feeling. They add weight to the image so the rest of the image settles against the horizontal lines. ·         Diagonal o   These types of lines make the image look as though there is movement in it. Diagonal lines can also show depth to create a space that looks three-dimensional. ·         Curved o   Curved lines create feelings of chaos or confusion if they are deep and sharp. On the other hand, soft curves show ease or relaxation.

http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/element.htm use this website to figure out what each type of line represents.

Principles of Design

Balance: Balance in an image prevents the viewer from getting dragged into one spot and getting stuck there. ·         Symmetrical: Symmetrical balance divides an image into equal halves so that there are identical subjects on each side. ·         Asymmetrical: The left and right side of an image are not equal and the elements on each side are different.

Unity: Similar elements throughout an image bring together the composition through repetition.

Variety: Including different details to an element, such as thick vs thin lines adds complexity to the art.

Movement / Rhythm: Movement takes the eye from one spot in the image to another. Rhythm occurs when a flow is created in the image because of similar elements appearing throughout.

Emphasis: A particular area which stands in contrast to the rest of the image and therefore attracts the eye first.

Proportion / Scale: Proportion is the relative size relationships between various elements in an image. It can emphasize the grandeur of a large-scale element or play a trick on the eye based on the position of an object.

Repetition / Pattern: Repetition is the technique of reusing the same elements many times in an image. A pattern, then, gives order to a image and keeps the viewer interested.

Making Choices

Point of View:  Point of view is the position from which the camera is set up to create a specific representation of a scene. ·         bird’s eye: Perspective in which the image is captured from an elevated position, making the viewer see the scene as a bird would. ·         worm’s eye: A shot taken from low on the ground; the view creates an interesting angle to even an ordinary object.

Rule of Thirds: The idea of splitting an image into thirds horizontally and vertically to create nine equal parts. A viewer’s eye naturally travels to the intersections of the lines,  so placing certain points of interest there allows the photographer to emphasize them. The rule of thirds also creates a well balanced image.

Framing: Framing involves blocking out some parts of an image with something else. Framing draws attention to the specific piece that is not blocked and adds depth.

Simplicity: The idea of setting the subject of the image against a clean background so that there is no distraction from the focus on the image.

                        

The Golden Mean

The golden ratio is represented by the Greek letter phi, an irrational number with the value of approximately 1.618. The golden mean is an aesthetically pleasing ratio derived from the Fibonacci sequence. Because of its visual appeal, creators of photographs, buildings, paintings, etc make use of the golden ratio. In the sequence, any given number is the sum of the previous two numbers. As the digits of the Fibonnaci sequence increase, the ratio between one number and its previous number becomes closer and closer to 1.618. There has been much evidence of the golden ratio in art, including works such as “Vitruvian Man” and “The Last Supper”. 

Meaning in Film

1. How do we know if this film will meet our expectations?
   Our expectations of the film are set up by the mood and actions in the trailer. Since trailers are         released to increase anticipation, the film itself does not maintain the same idea we get from our expectations. If the film does meet our expectations, we will know because the same themes that are are prominent in the trailer will be the main focus of the film. For example, the trailer for The Fault in Our Stars focuses solely on the relationship between Augustus and Hazel and everything seems to go perfectly. The greater portion of the movie does focus on the idea of this, so we can be sure that the movie fits our expectations. 


2. What meaning are you getting from the clip?
   The following video clip shows Hazel and Augustus on their trip in Amsterdam when they spend their time becoming closer. Augustus takes Hazel to a restaurant in order to let her experience something separate from her cancer. Despite her attempts to resist him in order to protect him, Hazel is dragged into his charm and sincere affection for her. The viewer can how they are both falling in love. 

3. How is that meaning created?
   The romantic mood is created by the setting of the restaurant. The setting creates an intimate feeling in which Augustus and Hazel are alone. The bright lighting creates a hopeful tone for the relationship between the two and for their lives beyond cancer. Since the shot focuses only on the two of them, the viewer can see the film's focus on their relationship.