Behind the Lens: The Role of Photography in Video Production
Uncover the hidden connections between photography and video production as we journey behind the lens. Learn how the art of the still image is transforming the moving picture.
Photography and video production are two different visual mediums, each with its own unique appeal. However, when you explore the world behind the lens, you see an interesting relationship where photography heavily influences video production.
Photography, the art of freezing moments in still images, lays the foundation for video production, which weaves that moment into a dynamic narrative. Both directions are visual storytelling based on principles such as planning, lighting, spectroscopy, and more. Let’s explore how photography structures the various elements of video production.
Composition: The arrangement of elements within a frame, a core principle in photography, is integral to video production. Techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry add depth and interest to each scene. As famed photographer Ansel Adams once said, “A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.”
Lighting: Photography teaches us to paint with light. This skill also applies to film; good lighting can create emotion and clarity. Understanding the effects of light and shadow on scenes can turn a still photograph into a film.
Colour Grading: In photography, the color scheme can affect the feel and style of an image. Similarly, color rendering in filmmaking helps to maintain visual acuity and improve visual appeal.
Pacing: A photo series can convey the passage of time or change in emotion. Video production takes the viewer one step further, using the principles of rhythm and transition to guide them through an emotional journey.
Visual Storytelling: The purpose of images and video manufacturing is to inform a story. Both observe the principle of conveying stories, emotions, and issues through pics. In the words of legendary director Stanley Kubrick, a former photographer, “The essence of a dramatic form is to permit an idea come over human beings with out it being it seems that stated. When you assert something without delay, it is definitely no longer as powerful as it is when you permit humans to discover it for themselves.”
Photography and video production function as a link between foundations and families. It is the inspiration that holds the structure together, the inspiration that elevates the story. So the next time you are in the back of the digicam, don’t forget – each part of your video is a shifting photo.