Rule Of Thirds

The rule of thirds is when a subject in the image is aligned with the guide lines, joining lines and points. This makes the viewer more attracted to the subject when it is aligned with the lines.

In this picture, the man on the longboard is particularly attracted by viewers as, his face is directly aligned on two lines joining together, as well his lower leg and foot are on a line. Both of his feet are on a line, which you can see him leaning back and turning the board.








Types of Composition

Balancing Elements

This is when you have the main subject ( the building) off the centre as well as another image (the out sign) which applies with the rule of the thirds. The separation of the two subjects leaves an empty space in the middle. This makes the the image look more interesting. Its a simple yet interesting.

Leading Lines

Photos like this one here is particularly appealing to our eyes as our eyes are naturally drawn to leading lines. The leading lines like in this picture (the three white stripes) shows the lines leading to a man, this gives us an idea of perhaps a journey and sets a scene for the man. The are different varieties of lines they can be diagonal, zig zag, or curvy.

Symmetry and Patterns.

All around us there is patterns and symmetry, they can be natural and man made. They are usually appealing to our eyes. The Picture on the left shows patterns of a stoned walls stacked up. A monkey sits on the left hand corner with his leg stretched up on the wall, this picture could also be a rule of third image as the monkey is also appealing to our eyes as well as the symmetry and pattern of the picture.






View Point








There are two types of viewpoint Photography- High and Low viewpoint Photography. The high shot viewpoint should be shot and have composition. This type of shot is not a eye level shot. The high level shot gives more of a feel to the place. For example the high level shot of the stair case, shows that the stair case could be in an old building as the stairs look quite 1940s. The low level shot, also gives a feel for a place. The red advertisement bill board from down bellow could be set in a sunny hot city, perhaps in the USA.

Depth

To do a depth shot we have to be careful and chose the right composition. The depth in this picture is the foothills and the clouds in the background. The first hill compared to the last hill, creates a sense of depth. As well, the picture shows overlapping hills, this developed and image in the human eye to have more depth.






Framing

All around there are objects that can create amazing natural frames, these objects can include of doors, windows, fences, caves, trees, holes and more. The human eye is drawn to whats in the middle of the frame. 

Deconstruction of a poster

                                                                                                                                                                  

This is a film poster from The Grey, featuring Liam Neeson in 2012. : The shot in the poster is a close up, this shows his vulnerability because he is looking deep into the camera. The snowflakes around him suggests that he is in a bleak place. In addition, he is wearing a thick grey jacket, suggesting that he is in a cold place, the fact that the jacket is grey has a connection with the title 'Grey'. The gash on the left side of his face, suggests that his has perhaps been hurt or has been in an accident. The fact that he is the only person in the poster, suggests that maybe he is alone, or lonely, or trapped somewhere. The title 'The Grey' makes me think of fog, stormy weather, snow, wolves and mystery. The slogan underneath 'Live or die on this day' suggests that the film is an adventure and action film. 

Here is a brief description/summary of the film from the IMDb film website:

In Alaska, a team of oil workers board a flight home; however, they cross a storm and the airplane crashes. Only seven workers survive in the wilderness and John Ottway, who is a huntsman that kills wolves to protect the workers, assumes leadership of the group. Shortly after they learn that they are surrounded by a pack of wolves and Ottway advises that they should seek protection in the woods. But while they walk through the heavy snow, they are chased and attacked by the carnivorous mammals.

Camera Terminology

1|Aerial shot

Otherwise known as a Birds Eye view, the aerial shot is when the camera shot is viewed from directly above. It is often used to establish an exotic place of establish the feel of a place. 

2|Arc Shot

This shot is used when a subject is stationary, but the camera moves around the subject in a semi circle.








3|Close ups

(Medium Close up From Harry Porter)

There are variations of close ups, which include:

 Big close ups- A very personal shot as its very much focused on their face and eyes. Facial expressions become apparent as well as increasing tensions.

Close ups- This is usually used in a romantic genre as it shows facial expressions.

Medium Close up- The picture to the left of the page, is a medium close up, Nothing apparent is happening in the background as it all focused on his facial expressions and eyes, showing tension and perhaps fear.






4| Establishing shot

(Establishing Shot from the Lord of the Rings)

Usually quite a wide/ lengthy shot, often used at the start of a film of program. When switching scenes, an establishing shot is usually part of the next scene in a program






5| High Angle shot

High shots are usually shot in horror films or action films, as it shows when a character is most vulnerable, powerless or isolated. Usually the crane technique is used to get this shot.
















6| Low Angle shot

This shot is the opposite of a high angle shot, instead of vulnerability it gives the impression of being big and powerful and confidence. It makes the audience feel small and weak

7| 180 Degree Shot

The 180 degree rule is when two characters in a scene maintain a right and left relationship with each other, this is often used when both characters are having a conversation with one another. When the camera pass the invisible line/axis, it is called crossing the line and becomes a shot called the revers shot.

This is our 180 degree shot, its a sequence from our first practical work.

SHOT REVERSE SHOT

Shot reverse shot is technique in film where two character are having conversation. Usually two cameras, camera A and camera B, would switch between characters whenever they spoke. As well this would usually be shot over the back one of the characters who is listening to the other character.




This clip is a good example of shot reverse shot. Its from the film the Wall Street Crash, it uses





This is our Shot reverse shot film. The first shot is an establishing, the next few shots are shot reverse shots/ over the shoulder shot. The shot of the rock flying is a mid shot, the next shots are mid shots too.

My top 5 Films

1| Straight Outta Compton
Directed by F. Gary Gray

In 1987, 5 young men: Eazy E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella, started a Band called N.W.A. They used their music as a weapon, rapping hardcore beats about their problems of young black men and women in the USA in the 1980s. N.W.A tells the true story about discrimination of black people in the US. Particularly where it all began in Compton, where they rap about growing up in the harsh environment and how the police were intolerant to them. This is my top film, because I enjoy listening to old school rap, and N.W.A is one of my favourite groups. The background colour to this poster is not colourful it is all black, telling us that this film could be harsh and in some aspects intimidating.








2| Kick Ass 2
Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Kick ass 2, directed by Matthew Vaughn is at the Top of my Top 5 films, as it is jam packed with action, comedy. I find it a hilarious film as the main character Dave Lizewski (played by Aaron Taylor Johnson) is an unnoticed shy high school student, who wants to be a super hero. Despite being weak and having very little knowledge on how to defend himself and fight. Kick Ass two is all about getting revenge on another 'Villain Super Hero' getting revenge on Kick ass and Hit girl (played by Chloe Grace Mortez) after they killed the Villain's super hero's dad that happened in the end of the first Kick Ass film. The background colour in this poster is colourful and bright, which tells us that the film is a fun. The splattering paint also gives us the idea of violence.

3| The Amazing Spider Man
Directed by Marc Webb

The Amazing Spider Man is high up in my list, ever since I was a little boy I've wanted to be spider man. The reason why I like The Amazing Spider Man is because it is a recreation of the original Spider Man film, with better graphics and better and more exciting scenes. In The Amazing Spider Man Peter Parker (played by Andrew Garfield. The first Amazing spider man Film is about Peter Parker discovering one of his dads briefcases, where he discovered work documents and projects he was working on with Dr. Curt Connors, one of this dads colleges. This leads him to meeting Dr. Connors and helping him in his studies. Dr. Connors has a boost in ego after his studies show that he can grow back an arm, as he was amputated. However this turns into a disaster, he then turns into a lizard and Spider Man has to save New York City from a catastrophe. The background to this photo is of New York city, which tells us the film is based in an important city. The reflection in his eyes is a reflection of the city, this tells us the cities future is very important. The deep cuts on his chest, tells us that perhaps something life threatening happens to him, or that the film is violent.





4| Catch Me If You Can
Directed by Steven Spielberg


In the 1960s, a high school student named Frank Abagnale (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) struggles with the fact that his parents are separating and so to Manhattan with just a $25 in his bank account. Whilst he is away, he forges checks, making lots of money, He steals the identity of a Pilot and starts flying with pilots as an assistant pilot. As well as stealing the identity of a doctor where he makes millions. 4 years later after leaving his parents the FBI become suspicious and try to track him down, however, it takes longer than expected. They finally tracked him down in France, where Carl Hanratty (played by Tom Hanks) catches him. I very much enjoyed this film, as Leo is one of my favourite actors. The title 'Catch me if you can' is split up into ' catch me' and 'if you can' with two different arrows. The first arrow ' catch me is a brighter colour, to the the other arrow, this first arrow is brash as if he cant catch him, its a bit cheeky. The other arrow with the 'If you can' is of a bolder and harsher blue, perhaps on a more serious note.

5|Pulp Fiction
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Jules Winnfield played by Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Vega Played by John Trovolta are hit men who are working for the boss Marsellus Wallace who set them to go retrieve stolen suitcase. Wallace had be out of town for a few days and asked Vincent to look after his wife Mia. The film is about Vincent and Jules trying to retrieve these briefcase, however there are a few obstacles in the way, including fights and drugs. The background to this poster is shown to be quite old school, because its set in the 90s. 

Hello All, This is Matt Bray. Welcome to my blog!

This is my A level Media blog. My name is Matthew, most people call me Matt.  I am currently living in the Sidmouth, in Devon, and I've been living here for 3 and a half years. Before living here, I lived in New Delhi in India of 11 years, for those 11 years I lived in several places dotted around New Delhi, my favorite place I lived was a place called South Nizamudden, I was very lucky to live very close to Humayun's Tomb. Humayun's Tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, the tomb was made for Humayuns first wife . 

This is a photography of Humayun's Tomb. Whilst living in Delhi I went to two school. I went to a French Embassy School in Delhi for 8 years and then went to an American School for 3 years. After living in India, I moved to Colombo in Sri Lanka and lived there for 3 years, and went to an International school through out year 7 to the end of year 8. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis at the Sidmouth Tennis Club and Climbing at the Quay in Exeter. I also enjoy taking photographs. I am looking forward to overcoming challenges in my media work and learning about the different aspects of media. I hope you enjoy looking through my blog!