Reflecting on exposure this week after reviewing our exercise two work, and comparing the colour version to the black and white version, the exposures looks quite different. I think in the colour shots it looks brighter overall, especially on background objects, just because we can see how the lighting actually effects the colours in the frame. In the black and white however, I think faces look better exposed, as it is a plainer image – with nothing like pink cheeks showing. This being said, the black and white will look better because we set up the shot in black and white. If I were shooting in colour, I would have to be mindful of the colour in the shot and how exposure can enhance this or take it away, depending on how it is controlled. Control of exposure is still an idea I am getting used to – in terms of identifying it in films – and I hope to learn more about it in the coming weeks.
The work this week has developed my ability to recognise the different lighting elements utilised in films. This includes focal length, and what the implications of it actually are. For example, the A Clockwork Orange display of focal length was a great example of achieving the unnatural-feeling atmosphere. These expressive elements I can now not only be able to distinguish, but also know how it was created – something most important for pursuing my own media projects.
One quote I got down from the class was that the “Variables are infinite, but easy to decide once you know what you are going for.” I think this is really summative of the importance of this class to me personally because I really wanted to learn how I can actually create these looks and be meaningful in my work. I feel like now, only in week three, a camera does not daunt me as much as it used to, and I can actually put some knowledge and skills into practice.
I enjoyed the shooting exercise in Thursday’s class. I took the role of director, which I enjoyed because I was both behind the camera, helping to set up the shot, and also blocking with the actors and focusing on characters. I used to be pretty big on theatre a few years ago, so I definitely have acting experience, but it was interesting in this case to see how other actors take direction and where I needed to give direction. Overall it was a really fun task where I could work collaboratively, and I was happy with the outcome of the shot. I look forward to reviewing it next week, and also seeing what the other groups came up with.
On another note, I was watching a show this week called Euphoria that has excellent production design and cinematography. I have been thinking about how the stars are the face of the show, and are the ones that gain status from it in the public eye, but the heart of what makes it this good lies in the team behind the camera. It makes me think now, how could anyone watch their favourite movies and television shows and not put thought into what they are seeing beyond the acting! The deeper I analyse and learn about films, the more there is to know. I love that I have this opportunity just in one class in one semester to learn what I am now, and it has grown my appreciation tremendously of what I initially have taken for granted.