Cinematography: Theory and Practice, 2nd Edition

Language of the Lens

The Lens and the Frame

As we use the term in this book, cinematic technique means the methods and practices we use to add additional layers of meaning, nuance, and emotional context to shots and scenes in addition to their objective content. The lens is one of the prime tools in achieving these means. Together with selecting the frame, it is also the area of cinematography in which the director is most heavily involved.

Figure 4.1. Deliberately flaring the lens is an essential element of this shot from Nine and 1/2 Weeks.

Figure 4.2. A well-composed, balanced frame from Barry Lyndon implies static formalism. The static ...