The King's Speech - cinematography/shallow DOF

[FrankS]

I just watched this movie and want to recommend it for many reasons, but here at RFf, for its cinematography, especially the effective (IMO) use of selective focus. Go see it and enjoy!

 

[Pablito]

Great movie, but the shallow depth of field fad is just over the top. Way overused in so much cinema these days - and photojournalism too.

 

[porktaco]

"the girl with the dragon tattoo" is superb in this aspect

 

[menos]

Frank, I found the use of extreme wide angle lenses in this movie very interesting.
Especially the scene, when the king and family are moving into their new home.
A shot is placed down the stairs, which looks simply surreal!

I loved that shot.

 

[Brian Legge]

I need to watch it again now. It struck me as a beautiful movie (and I really loved it over all) but the use of depth of field didn't jump out. I guess that means the cinematography worked for me. 🙂

 

[Neare]

It's a good movie, really good. However, shallow DOF (which wasn't over the top in the film thankfully) in cinematography is a horrible concept. When viewing a film, I expect to see it in the same way my own eyes would and my eyes don't see 'moving' Bokeh highlights. When I do see it in film it is nauseating.

 

[jaredangle]

It's a good movie, really good. However, shallow DOF (which wasn't over the top in the film thankfully) in cinematography is a horrible concept. When viewing a film, I expect to see it in the same way my own eyes would and my eyes don't see 'moving' Bokeh highlights. When I do see it in film it is nauseating.

You make a very good point here. While the bokeh we get from very fast lenses lends itself toward certain aesthetic qualities for our still photography, it must be kept from being too over the top in cinematography. It is nice when used sparingly, but any more can give the movie a tacky feeling.

 

[Brian Legge]

Okay, I took a look at a few stills. I think I know why it worked for me. The shallow depth of field came across as providing a sense of isolation, not just in a visual sense, but thematically. It would be interesting to watch again and see if it was used consistently in that manner and if the use changed throughout the movie.

 

[paulinventome]

Shallow DOF has been a film making tool for decades. It's just one of many methods to direct the audience to different parts of the frame, along with production design, art direction etc,.

It also has it's uses in budgeting because you can get away with a lot less work when the backgrounds are out of focus. (let alone having to get clearance for all sorts of signs and logos in backgrounds)

It's one of subconscious underpinnings of what we think is a 'film' along with the relatively low frame rates films are shot at.

As the kids grow up these characteristics will change. If you look at a film like speed racer they worked very hard to achieve a deep focus look and video game style movement. (and yes all rules are to be broken, Citizen Kane was a deep focus film and he had to work very hard to achieve that)

3D is an interesting one, too early to say if it has a place in the world. It's failed so many times before! One of the many problems with 3D is that it can be very confusing because you need deep focus and also a convergence point. It is difficult to direct the audience within the frame. Great for wide spectacle shots in avatar, not so good for fast moving sequences telling a story. An extreme example of why deep focus can at times be bad.

IMHO of course

cheers
paul

 

[Roberto V.]

I recommend checking out Wong Kar Wai's 'My Blueberry Nights'. He makes some great use of shallow DOF in some scenes, without going over the top.

 

[Jamie123]

I didn't notice shallow DoF being overused in The King's Speech. The dominant use of wide angles was much more noticeable, IMO.
As for shallow DoF in movies it should also be noted that fast lenses are often also used for technical reasons where light is low.

By the way, am I the only one disappointed by The King's Speech getting so many Oscars? I mean it's a decent movie but nothing extraordinary. Just a very uncontroversial ''feel good'' movie with some decent acting in it. I might have given the Best Supporting Role to Geoffrey Rush but other than that it wasn't all that special.

 

[dave lackey]

Shallow DOF has been a film making tool for decades. It's just one of many methods to direct the audience to different parts of the frame, along with production design, art direction etc,.

It also has it's uses in budgeting because you can get away with a lot less work when the backgrounds are out of focus. (let alone having to get clearance for all sorts of signs and logos in backgrounds)

It's one of subconscious underpinnings of what we think is a 'film' along with the relatively low frame rates films are shot at.

As the kids grow up these characteristics will change. If you look at a film like speed racer they worked very hard to achieve a deep focus look and video game style movement. (and yes all rules are to be broken, Citizen Kane was a deep focus film and he had to work very hard to achieve that)

3D is an interesting one, too early to say if it has a place in the world. It's failed so many times before! One of the many problems with 3D is that it can be very confusing because you need deep focus and also a convergence point. It is difficult to direct the audience within the frame. Great for wide spectacle shots in avatar, not so good for fast moving sequences telling a story. An extreme example of why deep focus can at times be bad.

IMHO of course

cheers
paul

Oh, god...3d!!! I get absolutely physically ill with 3d movies. CNN had an article about not letting your children under 6 watch 3D or use 3D games.🙁

While I simply love shallow DOF and all the various photographic techniques, I cannot bear 3D at all.

Last week I spent a couple of hours at my daughter's home while carpet was being installed. My wife turned on their VISIO widescreen to watch House, MD like we do at home with our Samsung Plasma TV.... I don't know what was going on with that TV, HD or what, but I literally became nauseaous (sp?)watching the screen after only 5 minutes. Had to turn it off.😱

I am looking forward to seein The King's Speech, though.🙂

 

[reiki_]

I recommend checking out Wong Kar Wai's 'My Blueberry Nights'. He makes some great use of shallow DOF in some scenes, without going over the top.

Also a very very boring movie.