Visual Catalog by Fiona Tierney

Shallow focus

fionatierney — 2024-10-28 00:10:20 UTC

This scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a good example of shallow focus. The camera is focusing on the ring in the foreground while the background is out of focus. Peter Jackson does this to show the importance of the ring, which is the Ring of Power.

Close-up shot

fionatierney — 2024-10-31 00:46:12 UTC

George Lucas uses the close-up shot in this scene to show the change in Anakin Skywalker. With this shot, we can see the change in his eyes; they look like Sith eyes. His face being in shadow is used to show evilness.

Canted/Dutch angle

fionatierney — 2024-10-31 00:55:25 UTC

J. J. Abrams is using the canted angle to show that something isn't right with this character and setting. The character in this scene is about to blow up a part of this building. The canted angle is being used while he is walking to the area that he will bomb.

Instrumental prop

fionatierney — 2024-10-31 01:22:11 UTC

I chose this photo because I noticed that there were many scenes from Pulp Fiction where one character is pointing a gun in the direction of the camera, but a little to one side at another character. I thought that it was interesting that Quentin Tarantino used this shot so many times. The gun is a big part of this movie, as it is used to intimidate and scare. This is just one example of a scene in the movie where this specific prop is used to show intimidation.

Long shot

fionatierney — 2024-11-01 12:12:30 UTC

In this scene, Joel and Ethan Coen use the long shot to show the extent of the characters' journey. The characters take up a small part of the shot, while the background takes up the majority. This is used to show us literally and symbolically that they have traveled a long way and have a long way yet to travel.

Subjective shot

fionatierney — 2024-11-01 12:30:10 UTC

Bong Joon-ho is using the subjective shot to show Kim looking down at his own hand. Joon-ho is expanding on the murder scene from earlier and is showing what happens right afterward from the perspective of the dad. This shot brings the viewers closer to the story; they are in the shoes of the character and are seeing what he sees.

Back lighting

fionatierney — 2024-11-01 12:44:18 UTC

In this scene, Alfonso Cuarón uses back-lighting to bathe Julian in yellow light and to cast her into shadow. Her face is partly obscured, giving mystery to the scene and drawing attention to the fact that she is showing herself to Theo for the first time in a long time. Cuarón is using the color yellow to show the hope that Julian has for her movement and for Theo helping them.

Metaphorical prop

fionatierney — 2024-11-01 12:45:36 UTC

Alfonso Cuarón is using this specific propr in this scene to show that Ryan is thinking about spirituality. The statue is a metaphor for her own thoughts about spirituality and life after death. The prop is being shown while she is trying to get back to Earth, not knowing if she will live or die.