Visual Rhetoric: Shots & Framing SHOT: a single piece of film, uninterrupted by cuts <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9BMhFmNzw-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Visual Rhetoric: Shots & Framing ESTABLISHING SHOT (ES): often a long shot or a series of shots used to set the scene. It establishes setting and shows transitions between locations. https://youtu.be/Axt0nETgEXo

Imagine that your image is divided into 9 equal segments by 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines. The rule of thirds says that you should position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they intersect. Doing so will add balance to your photo. The “Rule of Thirds”

Example Notice how the horizon falls on the lower third line and the lighthouse falls on the far right third. This highlights our focal points!

When we look at a photo our eye is naturally drawn along lines When we look at a photo our eye is naturally drawn along lines. By thinking about how you place lines in your composition, you can affect the way we view the image, pulling us into the picture, towards the subject, or on a journey "through" the scene. There are many different types of line - straight, diagonal, curvy, zigzag, radial etc - and each can be used to enhance our photo's composition. Leading Lines

Example How does “line” influence the way the viewer sees this photo? Why do you think the photographer uses the line (the road) to split the natural world in separate halves? What do you think the “argument” of this picture would be?

We are surrounded by symmetry and patterns, both natural and man-made We are surrounded by symmetry and patterns, both natural and man-made., They can make for very eye-catching compositions, particularly in situations where they are not expected. Another great way to use them is to break the symmetry or pattern in some way, introducing tension and a focal point to the scene. Think of symmetry the same way we think of repetition and motif in literature. What does that do? Symmetry

Example Where is the symmetry “broken” in this picture? The symmetry in this picture leads our view to what focal point?

There are many ways to use background to your advantage when taking a picture. For example, a sparse or empty background highlights our subject and brings it into contrast. Inversely, a “busy” background makes us consider the environment of the subject of the photo. Background

Example The focal point of this picture is clearly the couple sharing a kiss. In this case though, the simple kiss doesn’t tell the whole story. How does the contrast between the focus and the background make the image more striking?

The world is full of objects which make perfect natural frames, such as trees, archways and holes. By placing these around the edge of the composition you help to isolate the main subject from the outside world. The result is a more focused image which draws your eye naturally to the main point of interest. Framing

Example How does the framing of the two women in the café create meaning in this picture? The fact that the homeless man isn’t framed suggests what about him?

Zoom is a close-up shot that we use to bring our subject into extreme focus. It is especially effective when we are trying to convey emotion. Depth is when we are able to see the full scope of a landscape. It helps us see the full range of a photo. It helps portray scale and size. Zoom/Depth

Examples What emotion is clearly being conveyed here through zoom? The extreme focus creates what question in the reader’s mind? The massive depth of this picture creates an emphasis beyond the sheep. What do you think the photographer wants us to see here?

Shots: Zoom Range LONG SHOT (LS) (ALSO CALLED FULL SHOT): a shot from some distance. If filming a person, the full body is shown. It may show the isolation or vulnerability of the character. MEDIUM SHOT (MS): the most common shot. The camera seems to be a medium distance from the object being filmed. A medium shot shows the person from the waist up. The effect is to ground the story. CLOSE-UP (CU): the image takes up at least 80% of the frame. EXTREME CLOSE-UP: the image is a part of a whole, such as an eye.

TWO SHOT: a scene between two people, shot exclusively from an angle that includes both characters more or less equally. It is used in love scenes where interaction between the two characters is important.

Camera Angles EYE LEVEL: a shot taken from an normal height; that is, the character’s eye level. 90% to 95% of the shots seen are eye level, because it I the most natural angle.

Visual Rhetoric: Camera Angles HIGH ANGLE: a shot taken from above the subject. This usually has the effect of making the subject look smaller than normal, giving him/her the appearance of being weak, powerless, or trapped. LOW ANGLE: a shot taken from below the subject. It ca make the subject look larger than normal and thus strong, powerful, or threatening.

What do you notice?

Visual Rhetoric: PRACTICE Create a storyboard using visual rhetoric.