In Week 12, Ting introduced the basic ideas of cinematography, focusing on layout, composition, and camera language. She explained that the camera should be treated like a character, because it helps guide the audience and tell the story. Camera choices should be clear and logical, not only for visual style.
Ting talked about four main parts of camera language: composition, shot size, camera angle, and camera movement. We learned composition rules such as the rule of thirds and the golden ratio, which help organise the frame and direct the viewer’s attention. She also explained different shot sizes, like long shots, medium shots, and close-ups, and how they are used to show space, interaction, or emotion.
The class also covered camera angles and movement. High and low angles can change how strong or weak a character feels. Camera movement, such as pan, tilt, or dolly, should always have a reason and support the story. Ting also explained basic rules like the 180-degree rule and the 30-degree rule. At the end, we were asked to study film scenes and create a storyboard to practise using camera language in storytelling