Roger Deakins

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  • in reply to: Planning crane shots #215946
    Roger Deakins
    Keymaster

      I suggest it comes from intuition and experience. A lens width is the same on a horizontal plane as it is in a vertical one. So the width of a shot on a similar lens translates one to one.

      Roger Deakins
      Keymaster

        Are you sure the effect is an illusion or a manipulation?

        in reply to: Protecting the camera at the beach? #215944
        Roger Deakins
        Keymaster

          You can’t really do better than a plastic bag and gaffer tape. I too would worry about ghosting with a filter but an optically clear glass would protect your lens.

          in reply to: Meter reading on overcast days #215943
          Roger Deakins
          Keymaster

            I still use a meter to judge my exposure, even with a calibrated monitor. I use a Gossen Luna Pro, usually with the invercone and in incident mode. For the shot your reference I would have stood where the actors are and pointed my meter towards the camera.

            in reply to: How to emulate mercury vapor with (RGB) LED lights? #215924
            Roger Deakins
            Keymaster

              I would use some gel, just as David suggested. You could always get a swatch of small leaves of gel than match an LED to the color you prefer. Its either that or match a full color LED to a mercury vapor fixture.

              in reply to: Revolutionary Road – Night Interior lighting #215869
              Roger Deakins
              Keymaster

                I remember the 4′ x 4′ bounce muslin was resting on the floor.

                in reply to: Empire of Light – Pan shots to open scenes #215854
                Roger Deakins
                Keymaster

                  I seem to remember we used the pan to emphasize the passage of time or simply make a softer cut between scenes. Who’s idea? Probably one each. We discussed the script and our shooting pattern well in advance and these kind of languid pans seemed right for the piece. Of course, most were lost in the cut.

                  in reply to: Revolutionary Road – Night Interior lighting #215853
                  Roger Deakins
                  Keymaster

                    Yes, that was a long time ago. I laugh at this scene because we had tented the whole house, so that I had room for lamps outside, but by the time we came to shoot it was dark outside.

                    The bounce source was an unbleached muslin and I suspect the lamps was attached to the ceiling. Otherwise, as you say, the light would have been too close. The hard light was supposed to mimic a street lamp. Just a 650 with a half blue gel on it.

                    The rain? Yes, the  rain felt like it mirrored the sadness of the scene. ‘In Cold Blood’ did it so much better.

                    in reply to: Old Flash Photography Effect #215852
                    Roger Deakins
                    Keymaster

                      You can’t beat using the real thing. A small lightning strikes unit might do the job.

                      in reply to: B&W Photography #215788
                      Roger Deakins
                      Keymaster

                        I do prefer my still photos in B&W. Sometimes I use a color camera and sometimes a monochrome camera. I wouldn’t say I am looking at the light differently either way. Something just seems worthy of a photograph or it doesn’t.

                        So many great photographers. Some seem more interested in the light and composition than making a comment on society, others are all about the subject. Bill Brandt took images that varied wildly from one to another.

                        The photographers that inspire me are usually those that reveal something of themselves. You see their personality in their images.

                        in reply to: Lighting for mood and evoking an emotion. #215785
                        Roger Deakins
                        Keymaster

                          I think you have to get in touch with your own emotions. Get a lamp and play with light, or go out and take some stills. What affects you?

                          in reply to: Cinematography advice #215784
                          Roger Deakins
                          Keymaster

                            1. The script and the director’s thoughts regarding the script. From that I use my imagination. It’s imagination, exploration and collaboration. After that come all the practical issues you have to take into account when you point a camera.

                            2. The lens informs the audience where they are in relationship to the subject. I don’t know how the choice of the lens could be considered unimportant! Just take a photograph of a face on a variety of lenses! It should be clear why its important.

                            3.  I’m inspired by everything I experience. What helps? More experiencing!

                            in reply to: Continuity with Haze #215783
                            Roger Deakins
                            Keymaster

                              I have worked with effects teams that use a densitometer. That is really accurate but I would still adjust the level by eye. The issue being smoke in a backlight looks heavier than in a side light!

                              in reply to: jean pierre melville #215765
                              Roger Deakins
                              Keymaster

                                All of them! Le Samurai, Circle Rouge, Army of Shadows. Duxieme Souffle is probably the best heist movie ever made. Army of Shadows the most realistic film about the French resistance. You could start with The Silence of the Ocean. B&W. Basically shot in one room with three characters. I think it was Melville’s first film. A Masterpiece.

                                in reply to: Animation films composition and lighting. #215764
                                Roger Deakins
                                Keymaster

                                  We always referred to lens lengths and precise compositions on the animated film we were involved with. But, as always, its a collaboration with a great many people.

                                  Camera capture was only used on specific scenes or, as with Rango, to explore a set. For the Croods, we were looking at how a hand held camera would feel. I’ve only experienced it in limited situations rather than an entire film.

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