The next big jump takes us to the She is most famously known for the raphy three times,

hy three times, for his work on

studio ear aka ‘The Golden Age of cinematography of Black Panther in JFK, The Aviator, Hugo, and a per-
Hollywood’ starting in the 1920’s 2018, shortly after which she became sonal favourite film of mine ‘Shutter
(and ending in 1960). With the tech- the first ever woman to be nominated Island’ directed by Martin Scorsese.
nical advances bringing the rather for an Oscar for best achievement in One of the major scenes in this film
crucial addition of and sound to film, cinematography. She is an inspiration has a CGI feature of rats gone wild,
this era was the birth of timeless to all for achieving so highly in such which I would never have known to
film studios including: Paramount, a predominantly male field of work. be CGI had I not researched it. As
Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and Morrison says “Cinematography well as this, I find the cinematog-
more. Though hardly modern, what speaks to everything that women do raphy in this film very inspiring,
is known as the ‘Modern Era’ of the inherently well; its multi-tasking, its as camera movements are simple

CINEMATOGRAPHY
1950s and 60s bought us the era of empathy and its channelling visuals yet effective, and lighting is always
big screen spectacle, as an attempt by into human emotion.” done so precisely for the setting and
Hollywood to try to set its self apart tone of the scene. Despite working
from the new medium of TV, which with Computer generated Imagery,
was catching up in popularity. Along Richardson definitely seems to prefer
with this came widespread use of col- thing the good old fashioned way,
our and new ultra-wide screen for- and even said “I have developed my
mats which TV could not compete eye as a cinematographer through
with. Blockbusters from this time the craft of operating. When I am not
include ‘The 10 Commandments’ operating, I am often anxious, un-
directed by Cecil B. DeMille with certain, restless, sometimes irritable.
cinematography by Loyal Griggs, and When I am in the position of work-
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ by David Lean, ing with Steadicam or remote camer-
and cinematography by Freddie A. as, I fly with a broken wing.”

Throughout history people de-

fine Cinema, films and TV shows
1888 by Louise Le Prince. Of course,
at this period in time cinematogra-
using post production colourisation
techniques. Soon after (between the
Young.
In the 1990s the technical side of
by the actors and characters we see phy was limited, little to no editing years of 1908 and 1924) the partner- cinematography made its biggest
within them, but I think the credit could be done other than physically ship of D.W Griffin and Billy Bitzer advancement yet - CGI is a term that
lies elsewhere. Behind the scenes of cutting and sticking film back to- originated essential film techniques describes digitally-created images in
every production is a massive crew of gether, and all footage was shot in which are still used to date including
one colour tone- black and white. the close up, fade out, soft focus and film and television, it is a subcate-
talented individuals, who’s skills and
expertise are the real reason we love None the less, other elements of back lighting. Shortly after this, in gory of visual effects. The first bit of
the films and shows that we do. Some cinematography wold still have been 1934 the first light weight camera CGI was seen in 1973 during a scene
of these people include writers, de- applied; the setting and the lighting came into play, which now meant di-
which would have been as simple as rectors and cinematographers could in ‘Westworld’ but has developed
signers, editors, the director and the
most important role of all, and the shooting at the right time of day as a film video in colour, with good and hugely since this. Today, CGI is vital
people that have made cinema what pose to the complex lighting equip- effective techniques on the move! in the making of movies and televi-
it is today… the cinematographers. ment used today. Although now A personal favourite practitioner of
people may watch this so called ‘film’ mine was born in this era. Sir Roger sion shows, as it allows cinematog-
Cinematography is a difficult word
to define, as it is such a limitless art, and view it as nothing more than a Alexander Deakins was born in May raphers to create three dimensional
and one that is always changing and two second, jumpy black and white of 1949 in Torquay. I find him as he Perhaps one of the greatest shifts moving animations which can be
adapting along with the rest of the clip, it is so much more than this; a believes simplicity is often the key to in cinematography arrived as part very realistic. An early example of To conclude, there is so much more
world. To put it simply, cinematog- breakthrough into the world of film. success. He quoted “To me if there’s
raphy is the art and technology of an achievement to lighting and pho- of the new Hollywood era of the CGI in film is Jurassic Park, in which to the world of film than we all re-
motion-picture photography. It Whilst Louis Le Prince created the tography in a film it’s because noth- late 60s/ early 70s. A wave of young the very life like dinosaurs we see alise. The world of film is constantly
involves such techniques as general first film, there is a bit of uncertainty ing stands out, it all works as a piece. Directors of Photography entered the were created by a man sitting behind changing and making advances we
composition of a scene; the lighting when it comes to who the inventor of And you feel that these actors are in
Cinematography is. Having created this situation and the audience is not progression bringing new visionary a computer. In 1995, the animation would once have deemed impossi-
of the set or locations, the choice of
cameras, lenses, filters, film stock; the a series of cameras from 1888-1891, thrown by a pretty picture or by bad young directors, making mind blow- ‘Toy Story’ became the first feature ble back when the art of film and
camera angles and movements; and William Friese- Greene is awarded lighting. “Another inspiring aspect of ing, era defining films. Some exam- length film done entirely by this cinematography was no more than
the integration of any special effects. credit, as are the Lumieré brothers- his work is his precise pre-produc-
Louise and Auguste, who created the tion work- Deakin has stated he likes ples of these include; Psycho (1960), method. CGI is also now a crucial a sequence of photos in black and
So basically, it is everything you
see on screen when watching your ‘Cinematographé’ in 1895; a triple story boarding his work, which is a Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The God part of pre-production as directors white, and this is thanks to the peo-
favourite TV show, film, documenta- threat machine that could record, de- skill I have started using for every Father (1972), which I am certain are and cinematographers can use it to ple we never even see or hear about.
ry… anything. velop and project motion pictures. It piece of work I have completed since
has been dubbed the first ever liable starting at college, and it is inspiring films we have all seen or stimulate different live action shots We should all branch out and look
Cinematography began in the 1880s, ‘film camera’. Now, with invention to see such big names such as he at least heard good things about. using 3D computer models, which beyond the actors and characters we
when people began putting a series of film cameras, the 20th century is using the same techniques. He has This era also bought us some very can look and move almost exactly see on screen, and look at the cin-
of consecutive photographs in order when Cinematography really blos- done the cinematography for count-
somed. Firstly, in the early 1900s the less block buster movies including influential figures and practition- like a real person or object. Robert ematographers as well as the other
to create the illusion of a motion ers, including a role model of mine, Bridge Richardson is an American roles and skills that all come together
picture- the earliest example of this first natural colour processes were in- Sicario, Fargo and very recently he
(which you can find on YouTube) is troduced, changing film forever. This worked with director Sam Mendes to Rachel Morrison. Morrison was born cinematographer. He has won the to create the films we know and love.
‘Roundhouse Garden Scene’ shot in development allowed cinematog- create 1917. in Boston Massachusetts in 1978. Academy Award for Best Cinematog-
raphers to shoot in colour without