Esteemed cinematographers have utility bills to pay like the rest of us, and have done some lovely work in movies you'd probably rather not sit through. Here you can see a sample of how they apply their craft to material that sometimes lacks a clear dramatic purpose to guide their decisions, and learn about the principles of photography and talents they call on for such assignments. Please like or share if you feel the urge. Thanks for watching!
Described as a "three-hour challenge to the kidneys" by Leonard Maltin and "an honest piece of crap" by Roger Ebert, 1970's 'The Adventurers' is an adaptation of the Harold Robbins bestseller about a revolution-riddled South American country and the suave jet-setter/gigolo/fashion investor/freedom fighter who just can't quit it. The movie is a strange mix of vulgar, stupid, trashy material and great physical beauty thanks to behind-the-camera talents like 'Lawrence of Arabia' editor Anne V. Coates, composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and cinematographer Claude Renoir, who also filmed 'La Grande Illusion' and 'Cleopatra.'
Renoir's work on this film is an excellent demonstration of the "rule of thirds," a widely used rule of thumb for composition of an image. Photographers and artists following this rule will typically place the subjects of the image a third of the way from one side of the frame rather than directly in the center. The measured but asymmetrical framing is believed to increase tension and visual interest. As this montage cuts from one unrelated shot to another, you will be able to see how rigidly Renoir followed this rule for 'The Adventurers,' and how often the subjects appear in the same two positions.
More about Claude Renoir: imdb.com/name/nm0005841/
More about the rule of thirds: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Thirds