American Cinematography Through the Ages
The art of filmmaking involves many different parts, but the most captivating is the art of cinematography. It is the science of perception: picking the right equipment, filters, lighting, and shots. Cinematographers are also in charge of operating the camera and other equipment to get the best visual depiction possible. Cinematography is the reason for some of the most beautiful and notable scenes in film. In this article, we will dive into the history of cinematography, how it has evolved, and some of the best examples in film history.
History of Cinematography
In 1895, the Lumière Brothers combined a camera and a projector to create what they called the Cinèmatographe, which in Greek means “writing with light and motion.” After its invention, Parisians watched projected films for the first time.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
In 1917, technicolor was introduced and film was finally able to be shown in color. Before, color needed to be added after filming, which was a long process. Color film was still not very popular until the 1970s, however.
In 1927, the first sound film, titled The Jazz Singer, was released. For cinematographers, the addition of sound in film became an issue. Cameras at the time were loud, and they had to be placed in large boxes to mask their noises. This made mobility difficult. Until the invention of the “barney,” moving a camera around was virtually impossible to do quickly.
In the modern age of Hollywood, Cinematographers no longer need to lug heavy equipment around, but their knowledge of different technology and their ability to operate the camera is what makes cinematographers invaluable in the industry today.
Evolution of Cinematography
Cinematography evolved alongside technology. As new tools emerged, cinematographers were able to experiment with new techniques and make breakthroughs in film. There are three major developments in cinematography history: black and white film, color film, and digital film.
Black and White Film
The introduction of film began in the dark. Black and white, or monochrome films, were the only way to experience film.
Color Film
In the 1900s, color film was introduced. Early color films needed to be colored after production, meaning they were shot in black and white and colored later. Then, color processes emerged and allowed cinematographers to shoot colored film in real time.
Digital Film
In the 1980s, digital films started to appear. Prior to this time, movies were shot with film material in reels. In the early 2000s, digital films started becoming very popular. In 2010, digital films became standard, and some production companies like Paramount cut film material out of their productions completely. During this age of digital film, post-production, or the time where film is edited, has become immensely important to cinematographers. In post-production, color can be corrected, and auditory and visual effects can be added.
Notable Films
Citizen Kane (1941)
Photos: IMDb
Citizen Kane’s cinematographer, Greg Toland experimented with lighting and lenses. His experimentation resulted in deep focus which allowed all elements of a shot to fit in the screen at once. This film launched the film industry into the “modern age,” or the big Hollywood era of the 1950s and 1960s. Citizen Kane is considered the best film in regards to cinematography taking into account its age.
Days of Heaven (1978)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer Néstor Almendros believed that the camera was a character in itself. He focused on the energy of a scene through camera position. In Days of Heaven, the camera tries to capture the energy of the scene, or tries to convey the types of feelings the characters would feel. Most of the film was shot during “Golden Hour,” or the time in the day when the sun is setting and the lighting is not harsh.
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer John Alcott used only natural night for this film which Martin Scorsese, producer of The Aviator and The Wolf of Wall Street called “the most beautifully filmed movie ever made in history.” Each frame was meant to look like an 18th century painting.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Photos: IMDb
Director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau made sure to use close ups and lighting to alter the mood of his film. He used close ups and extreme close ups to express character traits and motives. Additionally, Murnau establishes a scene by using long shots, extreme long shots, and high angle shots. This film also used what is called a “dolly shot” or a technique that involves moving the camera to follow the movement of a character.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro tried to portray the epic scale of the Vietnam war in this film. His use of aerial shots and crane shots, or overhead shots, showcase how large the event was. He used both subjective shots, or personal shots that demonstrate a character’s view of the world, and objective shots, or impersonal shots that demonstrate a “god-like” presence. The film also includes hand-held shots, or shaky shots made by filming by hand. This showcases the chaotic nature of the events in the film and creates a sense of tension.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Photos: IMDb
Largely considered the most groundbreaking film of all time, 2001: A Space Odyssey is known for being the epitome, or ideal, of good cinematography. For a film made in the 1960s, it was truly ahead of its time. Each shot was made with visual appeal in mind. The director, Stanley Kubrik, included both long and close-up shots. The long shots are used to showcase locations that are hard to conceptualize, or picture, especially in space. Close-up shots are used to show feelings. The close-ups of AIs, or Artificial Intelligences, are meant to be intimidating, while close-ups of characters showcase anxiety or wonder. Color is also a large factor in the film. Each shot includes a wide array of colors to draw the attention of the eye.
Big Fish (2003)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot worked alongside Tim Burton to establish a quirky feel to this film. This film, which portrays the life story of a man on the edge of death, uses symmetry to establish order and harmony of the past, emphasizing its unrealistic and romanticized nature. Camera angles are used to direct the viewer to a specific character in another’s character perspective. Colors are used to establish tones of scenes. In the scene depicted above, a character is confessing his innocent love - the colors are bright and happy. Zooms are also used to make the viewer anxious about what is about to come.
Blade Runner (1982)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth worked alongside Ridley Scott to bring this dystopian story to life. In this film, lighting plays a big role. Lighting seems to only come from artificial sources: advertisements, vehicles, and screens. This creates a very dark and dingy, or gross, feeling. Close-ups are used in this film as a form of symbolism. Eyes are an important symbol in this film and represent the soul of a person, human or not.
Schindler’s List (1993)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski needed to work carefully to convey the message of the story without exploiting the suffering of those that lived through the Holocaust. He decided to film in black and white, staying true to footage from the time period. When conflict is happening on screen, the handheld camera technique is used to establish anxiety and tension. During scenes in which characters are talking, the camera is steady. The brutality in the film is shot objectively, portraying the disregard the Nazis had for Jewish lives.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Photos: IMDb
Cinematographer Roger Deakins is often called “The master of lights.” The movie focuses on minimalist landscapes, or landscapes with very little objects in it. To demonstrate the dystopian world of pollution and ecological destruction in the film, Deakins uses colors like orange and brown when characters are outside. When they are in cities, artificial and bright colors like purple and pink are used. The color white is used when characters are inside, showcases sterility and loneliness. Lighting is used to establish all the moods in the film.
Vocabulary list:
Captivating (adj.) — capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.
Perception (n.) — the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
Barney (n.) — a quilted cover that fits around a camera to reduce camera noise.
To lug (v.) — carry or drag (a heavy or bulky object) with great effort.
Crane shots (n.) — a shot taken by a camera mounted on a jib or crane that moves up and down.
Intimidating (adj.) — having a frightening, overawing, or threatening effect.
Quirky (adj.) — having or characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects.
Dystopian (adj.) — relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.
Dingy (adj.) — gloomy and drab.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Breese is a third-year student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida pursuing a double major in History and Political Science with a minor in Russian language. She is currently working on her post-graduation plans which include joining the Peace Corps to work with youth in Ukraine. In her free time, you can find her reading, exploring her city, or watching films. She aims to work in public diplomacy, travel far and wide, and eventually own her own sustainable farm.