In Week 1, we learned that cinematography is not just about making images look nice, but about using the camera to communicate meaning. We were encouraged to ask important questions before placing the camera, such as what the scene is about and what we want the audience to feel or understand.
We explored how focus can guide attention. Deep focus allows the audience to look freely around the frame, while shallow focus directs attention to a specific subject. Rack focus can shift attention without cutting, which helps storytelling visually. Cinematography II
We also learned that depth of field depends on aperture, focal length, and distance, showing how technical settings affect the emotional impact of a shot.
This week changed how I think about making images. Instead of only focusing on visuals, I now see cinematography as a language that shapes how the audience experiences the story.
This week we practiced how to draw storyboards and think carefully about how to use different camera techniques. Instead of only sketching actions, we learned to plan shots clearly, such as deciding when to use a wide shot, medium shot, or close-up to communicate information step by step.
We also practiced showing camera effects directly in the storyboard, like framing, focus changes, and movement. This helped me understand that a storyboard is not just drawing pictures, but explaining how the camera will work and how the audience will see the scene.
Another important exercise was recreating a classmate’s video. By doing this, we learned how to translate a storyboard into actual visual content and check if the shots make sense when combined. This process helped me see the connection between planning and final result.
Overall, this week improved my understanding of how to organize shots logically and use camera language to tell a clear story visually