Inspired by Film.

I tend to go through phases of what I use as inspiration, or just to see good examples of how to compose something and make things look good.

My current idea is actually Movies, I just ran out and got a load of DVD's of films that I consider to have good Cinematography because I believe that a lot of the things they present in these films translate to general photography from the point of view of lighting, composition and use of colour etc.

so this is my list of films I just ran out to buy for "inspiration"
The Last Emperor
Days Of Heaven
House of Flying Daggers
Curse of the Golden Flower
Memoirs of a Geisha
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

see a pattern there hehe, oh, and I love Kung fu Films too, so it helps that most of those are cool films as well as looking damn impressive :) and when watching these films I always feel like using my camera.

Just wondered if there are any other films that people would recommend that have good visuals that could inspire you to take photos. or if your inspired by anything else? I'm sometimes inspired by music.

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT thread topic.

I had a list somewhere...but it eludes me now. A film that comes to mind right away though is Girl with a Pearl Earring - 2003
AMAZING VISUALS!!!

I actually did a teeny review of that film on another forum and I'm pasting it here. Hope it helps and inspires you to rent it. Marko

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This is a fictional film about a real painting by one of the Dutch Masters Johannes Vermeer. To be honest I did not know anything about Vermeer except that he was a famous Dutch painter who painted in the same era as Rembrandt. I was lucky enough to see it yesterday on the big screen at my favorite repertory cinema (that is closing next week) :sad:

This film is a feast for the eyes. It takes place in the 1600's and the scenery, architecture and costumes are amazing. The lighting and cinematography are UNBELIEVABLE. Almost every single frame of film looks like a painting from the 17th century. The lighting is often dark and looks and feels like Rembrandt paintings from that era. The attention to the composition of every frame is masterful, and shot with GREAT care. It is pure poetry to be drunk with the eyes. Can you tell I loved it?

Scarlett Johansson plays the maid on which the painting is inspired. She is one stunning lady and plays this part very well. Colin Firth as Vermeer is also pretty good. The characters are just a bit too subdued for my own personal taste, but the Dutch do have a reputation for being modest on many levels. I like movie characters to undergo a bit more transformation but it would not surprise me at all if they were directed to play these characters in this manner. Either way, you do connect with Johansson's character and the visual poetry compensates for any lack of character development in Vermeer.

This IS a somewhat slower moving film so be warned if those types of dramas bother you. It didn't bother me one bit though and I give this film an 8.5/10

If at all possible, check out this film on the big screen if it ever plays at a repertory theater near you.

There's also Hero with Jet Li. Similar to Crouching Tiger in some ways but better IMO. SUPERB SUPERB visuals.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marko

I had a list somewhere...but it eludes me now. A film that comes to mind right away though is Girl with a Pearl Earring - 2003
AMAZING VISUALS!!!

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Just ordered it on Playtrade, for £3.95, Bargain heh.

Cheers, will look forward to some visual poetry :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marko

There's also Hero with Jet Li. Similar to Crouching Tiger in some ways but better IMO. SUPERB SUPERB visuals.

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aye, I love Hero, had that one for a while, forgot to mention that in my list.

well I love most films with Jet Li in generally anyway :)

The ending of Aloha Bobby and Rose while its raining and Benny and the Jets by Elton John is playing summer of 1975, have not seen in since then but the last scene always just stuck with me, very cheesy but still fond of it .

Last Exit to Brooklyn - Lots of great night scenes and Labour Union strike, a very visual movie, more of a cult following for this flick then mainstream recognition.

Buffalo 66 - Just well done and has a brooding mood over this quirky film.


2046 - Great movie, very surreal scenes, stars Tony Leung who also was in infernal Affairs another great Japanese film and of course Hero.

Das Boot : Intense and intimate film, found the cinematography very well done on.

I could do a ton of films that I found inspiring from a cinematography perspective where the visuals are usually unique, striking and just gorgeous in the way they are filmed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marko

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT thread topic.

I had a list somewhere...but it eludes me now. A film that comes to mind right away though is Girl with a Pearl Earring - 2003
AMAZING VISUALS!!!

I actually did a teeny review of that film on another forum and I'm pasting it here. Hope it helps and inspires you to rent it. Marko

-----------------------------------------------

This is a fictional film about a real painting by one of the Dutch Masters Johannes Vermeer. To be honest I did not know anything about Vermeer except that he was a famous Dutch painter who painted in the same era as Rembrandt. I was lucky enough to see it yesterday on the big screen at my favorite repertory cinema (that is closing next week) :sad:

This film is a feast for the eyes. It takes place in the 1600's and the scenery, architecture and costumes are amazing. The lighting and cinematography are UNBELIEVABLE. Almost every single frame of film looks like a painting from the 17th century. The lighting is often dark and looks and feels like Rembrandt paintings from that era. The attention to the composition of every frame is masterful, and shot with GREAT care. It is pure poetry to be drunk with the eyes. Can you tell I loved it?

Scarlett Johansson plays the maid on which the painting is inspired. She is one stunning lady and plays this part very well. Colin Firth as Vermeer is also pretty good. The characters are just a bit too subdued for my own personal taste, but the Dutch do have a reputation for being modest on many levels. I like movie characters to undergo a bit more transformation but it would not surprise me at all if they were directed to play these characters in this manner. Either way, you do connect with Johansson's character and the visual poetry compensates for any lack of character development in Vermeer.

This IS a somewhat slower moving film so be warned if those types of dramas bother you. It didn't bother me one bit though and I give this film an 8.5/10

If at all possible, check out this film on the big screen if it ever plays at a repertory theater near you.

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i read the book & really liked it, but i thought the movie was pretty dull. i wonder if i would like it more now that i pay more attention to visuals. i find that learning photography makes me look things differently.

I did not watch the movie 300, but I have played around with actions designed to simulate the effect of the movie.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by morgan

i read the book & really liked it, but i thought the movie was pretty dull. i wonder if i would like it more now that i pay more attention to visuals. i find that learning photography makes me look things differently.

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I can easily see how the plot would be dull for some people (not me though). But the visuals are a masterpiece of cinematography imo.

2 movies I haven't seen from your list A.L. (buffalo 66 and 2046) - I'll have to check them out,thx.

oh yeah...Sin City also comes to mind.

I watched two movies the other day and made me think of this old post for some reason. I think I found they both them both visually compelling movies and photographic inspirations.

Blue Velvet - David Lynch's Cinematic masterpiece, vibrant colours, great use of light and over all exceptional film for photographic inspiration. Very unique film.

Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave - Canadian film postulating on what Hank Williams last night alive was like. It is filmed in vintage Canadian style. Just an old time inspiring film for photographic ideas. Great film for 1980's retro Canadian film.

If you can stand to sit through it, David Lynch's Eraserhead is a gloomy, dark and grainy exercise in cinematic depression. Also of note is the movie Aria featuring several different directors and of course The Cook the Thief His Wife and her Lover. Oh! And Dr. Zhivago! :)