Filmmaking and photography go hand-in-hand. In filmmaking, the art of cinematography is lost without photography. The foundations for making images move are in the art of photography – capturing still images.
Photography allows a person to gain foundation skills that can lead to the making of a great film.
These foundation skills include:
- The basics of creating a good image
- How to take sharper and more detailed shots
- The creative range and skillset behind creating an image moved by emotion
- Being mindful of all the details before taking a shot.
What classifications of photography are there?
- Advertising
- Graphic design
- Social media
- Web design
- Family portraits
- Events (weddings, presentations)
- Product photography
- Aerial photography
- Fashion industry
- Film industry
- Art
Many photographers have created a rewarding career in the above industries. Common avenues for photographers to find work (and money) is through freelance work and through photography agencies.
The making of a good photographer
A good photographer needs to have:
- a good understanding of how aperture, shutter speed and iso work
- a good understanding of how light works
- an eye for detail and colour
- an eye for composition
- an ability to further enhance photos with editing software.
Aperture = depth of field.
Key things to remember:
Low number = Less in focus
High number = More in focus
Icon on camera =
Shutter speed = Motion blur.
Key things to remember:
Low number = Blurry
High number = Freeze Motion
Icon on camera = 1/200 (usually the wheel beside shutter button)
Iso = Grain + light sensitivity
Key things to remember:
Low number = Safe
High number = Grainy + low quality on camera = ISO
A film camera often has a higher resolution than what is found in most digital cameras. What could appear clear in a photography camera, can be lost on a large screen.
There are many techniques regarding film and how to take the perfect shots to create emotion in your audience. These will be explored throughout this module.
Watch the video below to explore techniques to take better smartphone videos.