Buzzfeed posted 129 shots from well known movies across all genres known as the most beautiful. I have picked five which are my favourite. The first one is from 'The Shawshank Redemption'. This shot inspires me because despite the fact it is highly simplistic, there is so much passion. The birds eye view shot gives an interesting angle and helps us empathise with the character who is looking up at us. Without this perspective, you wouldn't be able to see his face. Also the way there is so much negative space makes the character the centre of attention and draws us to him far more, emphasising his despair. The emptiness of this shot perhaps mirrors the characters feelings which is further conveyed by his body language. This has made me want to have similar shots like this in my short film as it is such an effective way to focus in on a character.
This shot taken from 'The Dark Knight' is also highly effective. The simplicity again is what draws me to it. The way the focus is on the main character is standing centre frame makes the shot very symmetrical. Also, the figure is very dark compared to the light surroundings creating a contrast, further drawing our attention to the character. I chose this shot because in my short film there are going to be many shots of just my main character alone, so hopefully I will be able to create the same effect as this shot.
This shot from 'The Blade Runner' caught my eye as the lighting in it is so powerful. The close up focusing on the girls face is intense and powerful. The way the depth of field has put the background out of focus again makes us focus on her face. I love how the light is bouncing off her cheek, contrasting with the darkness behind her, again emphasizing how she is the focus of the shot. Her body language is also a pivotal part of this shot as she is looking at something with so much feeling whist also smoking a cigarette in an effortless manner. The way the right side of the shot is also so dark compared to the left creates an ominous feel as that side of her face is almost lost in the darkness. There will be many close ups in my short film which is why this shot has been such an inspiration.
I really like this shot from 'The Wrestler' as it is a wide shot that is revealing so much. The way the man has been framed in the centre yet far away from the camera draws your attention to him but also makes him seem insignificant at that time. The pale blue and greens which seem to be prominent in this shot create a very childlike feel to it, which is clearly exaggerated by the toys and paintings. This one shot tells the audience so much which I think is highly effective, but it also leaves us confused. There is a lot of mise-en-scene used to create this shot and make it very interesting, which is emphasised due to the deep depth of field allowing everything to be in focus.
Finally, this shot from 'To Live and Die in LA' is so powerful. The composition in this shot is incredibly important as it has been done in a way that the viewers are aware of this dangerous figure with the gun yet the other two characters can't see him. The way the man with the gun is far darker than the rest of the shot mirrors his danger and how that side of the room is frightening and ominous. This shows how important cinematography is when it comes to getting a great shot as the symmetry here is also poignant as the other two characters are perfectly in line with man other than a wall separating them.