Color/Lighting-This first photograph highlights one of the most vibrant scenes in the film as far as color and lighting are concerned. Upon looking at this photo you fixate immediately on the field of bright blue flowers with Fanny in the center in a closely hued blue dress. The colors (reflected in clothing, backgrounds, props, and scenery) throughout most of the film are soft and subdued to portray a sense of romance or harsh and dark to represent tragedy. They are simply there and do not command attention. However, in this scene, when Fanny is elated upon receiving a letter from Keats, the colors suddenly became vibrant and demanding of the viewer’s attention. The lighting at the same time is as bright as ever in the film. The rest of the time the lighting is very low, and it almost seems as if every day is cloudy and overcast, but to reflect Fanny’s joy in this scene, the sun shines brightly onto her and the field of flowers.
Camera Angle/Shot/Focus-The angle, type of shot, and depth of focus are other major photographic elements. In this scene, the camera angle is set to look up at Fanny, giving the viewer what is most like a worm’s eye view. The shot is an over-the-shoulder shot that utilizes racking focus. The rack focus enables us to see three layers here: the flowers in the foreground, Fanny, and the treetops in the background. The camera angle and type of shot tells the viewer what reactions they should be having to what is happening at that moment in the film. This shot, looking up at Fanny with part of her back to the camera, tells us that this is an extremely intimate moment upon which the viewer is quietly and discreetly sharing with her. The viewer does not feel as though they are intruding on her private moment.
Kate, reading your introduction I seem to not be as in tune with the interpretation of cinematography as you but I'll give this a shot. I really like the first shot and your interpretation of it. The colors throughout the film do represent the tragedy and romance of the film and the story that it tells. When Fanny reads the letter she is emotionally lifted up. I think that the scene depicts this when you see the blue flowers on top of the field. Maybe that is the symbolism of Fanny wearing the blue dress? I am starting to understand how the color and lighting used in the different shots help tell the story. I didn't find that the camera angles helped me interpret the movie and emotions as much as the colors did. For me the colors and the costumes set the scene and the mood.
ReplyDeleteIn your analysis, I do agree with Mr. Renaudin that you did a great job of interpretation of this picture. However, I would like to point out that the color that Janet Patterson selected for this particular scene. As the audience can see, Ms. Brawne is surrounded by flowers, specifically purplish blue flowers. By placing Ms. Brawne in the center of the frame, she appears to be the dominant despite the harmonization of her dress. In addition, the color that Ms. Brawne wears is purplish blue, which does advocate the interpretation of peace, tranquility, and feminism. In the essence of tranquility from the photograph, Ms. Brawne is reading aloud a letter/poem that Mr. Keats sent her. Plus, to apply this scene to feminism, Ms. Brawne, in another still of this picture, is with her younger sister, Toots, while reading the letter/poem. Therefore, Ms. Brawne is the embodiment of care and love to her younger sister when Toots peaks at the same letter. Overall, it is later concluded that Fanny Brawne was the catalyst for Mr. Keat’s inspiration for his immortal love poems.
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