Aperture and Lens

What is Aperture?

The aperture of a film camera is the hole in the lens that opens or closes to let more or less light into the camera used in combination with the shutter speed and ISO of the camera to determine the length of film exposure (affecting the brightness of the image).

Much like our own eyes aperture works like our pupils expanding in the dark and shrinking and closing from bright light, this is the example most commonly given and is outlined in Studiobinder's "Ultimate Guide to Camera Aperture What is Aperture & the Exposure Triangle Explained [Ep 1]". This affects how the film is lit and used by filmmakers much like colour, lighting and other filmmaking techniques to affect and change the mood of a scene by effecting how the light hits the camera lens.

Large/High Aperture

When using a higher aperture a scene can become darker as if effected by low key lighting (creating more sinister undertones). This can also be used to create a large depth of field which is good when creating establishing shots as you want everything to be in focus.

Skyfall (2012)

Establishing/Longshot creates an ominous presence of James Bonds family home and emphasises the dark backstory this represents as we see the white bright background contrasted with the dark gothic architecture of the manor.

Small/Low Aperture

Aperture can also make a scene brighter and more visible as if effected by high key lighting when the aperture is lower (creating a happy dreamlike tone/aesthetic) and is used to create a shallow depth of field keeping a singular model in focus which is most commonly used in combination with closeups to outline individual character reactions/facial expressions.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

This shallow depth of field and closeup is used to showcase Clint Eastwoods's characters calm demeanour despite the high stakes situation, showcasing that he is not afraid and is in control.

Medium/Middle Aperture

The most commonly used aperture setting this is used most often in conversation/dialogue scenes when they need to keep multiple targets in focus and allows for the focus to remain on the subject while keeping the background present.

Fight Club (1999)

In this shot, Tyler and Jack remain in focus with the beauty consultant while also keeping the background in focus outlining how they are using consumerism (outlined with the heavily populated shop) to fund their own anti-consumer terrorist group. We see the disinterest of Jack as he looks off the frame and outlines how Tyler is using the beauty consultant for his own means with there engaged body language. 

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Own Aperture Example's

F2.8 Aperture (50mm Len's), F8 (Standard Lens), F16 (Standard Lens)

My footage clearly shows how aperture affects the lighting of footage as I label my aperture number in each clip from the brightest aperture setting of F2.8 to the darkest of F16.

 If I was going to do this task again I would film the same area/model to more easily showcase the difference aperture makes in visual media. Overall, however, in my opinion, I accurately showcased aperture by filming during the same natural lighting during the same shooting day. 

What is a Lens?

Lenses are the glass piece a camera see's through and what light from a scene whether it be key, back or fill lighting shines through glass shapes called Glass Elements which bend/are refracted onto a Focal Point on an Image Sensor creating the picture/footage.

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Focal Length

Each lens is made with a different focal length which uses millimetres (mm) to measure the optical centre of a lens to the image sensor rather than the actual lens size, which affects the angle of view. Which films use to achieve different effects from a technical standpoint or from a storytelling perspective as it can be used to create distance between the model and the camera making a shot feel intimate or isolated.

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The angle of view is "How much of the scene in front of the camera will be captured by the camera's sensor" Sony.co.uk.

The longer/bigger the focal length creates a narrower angle of view which creates a higher magnification (size an object will appear on your camera's sensor to image in real life).

The shorter/smaller focal length creates a wider angle of view and the lower the magnification. Nikonusa.com

Types of Lenses

Lenses can be either Prime or Zoom Lenses.

Prime lenses are always at a fixed focal length due to there lack of lens features when compared to a zoom lens it instead creates a sharper image good when trying to film a scene in low key lighting to there increased aperture level allowing them to take in more light. The larger aperture also creates a shallow depth of field which can be used to focus on the subject of a scene.

Zoom lenses, despite there low aperture levels they make up for it in versatility as zoom lenses can change their focal length without switching lenses, allowing them to switch between close-ups medium shot and longshots in one fluid motion. Known as the zoom in and zoom out camera technique it allows time and effort of the camera operator/cinematographer to be saved.

Prime Lens Example:

The Wolf of Wall Street (2014)

A prime lens is used in this shot of The Wolf of Wall Street (2014) to showcase the plan of the protagonist as we follow a single take (or at least made to look like single take) tracking shot through his plan as we keep the subject of the trucking shot in focus allowing the audience to visual link the subject to the voice-over while applying a more engaging vidual to keep them interested. This also recreates the hectic fast-paced environment of the stock market/Wallstreet and makes us feel in on the plot with Leonardo DiCaprio character as we see this fantasy of success and riches in the movie due to the intimate and engaging use of camera thanks to the eye-level positioning combined with the sharply focused imagery of a prime lens.

Zoom Lens Example:

The Shinning (1980)

Zoom in effect used with a zoom lens used to showcase the madness of jack as the large room within the hotel is shrunk down into a closeup of Jack Nicholson as we see him perform a classic Kubrick stare as his facial expression doesn't change as he looks off-camera. Showing Jacks growing seduction to the evil of the hotel as it cuts to the next day, this showcases Jacks growing unhinged mind within this trapped and isolated environment inside the overlook hotel as the close up reflect the forced isolation of the family and how jack is slowly getting closer and closer to enact violence on his own family like the previous caretaker of the hotel.

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Longer Focal Length Lenses:

Extreme Wide Angle/Fisheye Lens

18 to 24mm, can showcase landscapes by being used within an establishing shot or used for closeups. Some due to there distortion can transform an extreme into a fisheye lens creating an unnatural observed perspective making them common in films where a person mind is used as they exaggerate/distorted facial features.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Due to the characters mental state due to the number of drugs within there system the fisheye lens is used to showcase the distortion of reality he can see while affected by these substances. As the closeup becomes uncomfortable with the lens distorts of the image to make it seem like he is being pulled out of the screen. This also showcases the character as unhinged with his facial expressions becoming more exaggerated from the lens distortion making his face and head seem bigger than they should be.

Wide Angle Lens

24 to 35mm great for capturing wide shots and helps create an engaging movement like when using establishing shots at it allows the setting around them to remain in focus.

It can also be used to establish relationships between characters a closer distance to make it feel intimate and a larger distance to make it feel emotionless/disconnected. Tighter spaces feel more open. Partially useful in a lower budget film with a limited set space as it can make your setting seem bigger while also outlining people relationships without the need for dialogue, this is especially necessary when creating characters that have a history off-screen together.

 

The Martain (2015)

Long shot using a wide-angle lens showcases characters isolation on mars as the vast landscape goes into the far distance out of sight. The cinematographer has done this to showcase the film's themes of man vs nature as he outmatched a surrounded on all sides by an inescapable desert that throughout the film will test and challenge him as well as establishing the setting of the movie.

Standard Lens

35 to 50mm for more natural style due to it being the lens most in common with the human eye due to its focal length being most in common with our eyes perception of reality.

Commonly used in films that emphasized realism like those in the social realism sub-genre, like that in British New Wave films like Kes (1969) and documentary films interviews to keep the audience grounded in the reality of whatever topic it is exploring.

The Florida Project (2017)

Shot on 35mm using a standard lens Florida project creates a natural environment which in combination with the natural lighting of the child actors makes the events of the film feel real. In this scene where they get ice cream, this standard lens captures a common childhood memory we can all remember. The use of this naturalism lens with the saturated colours makes the scene feel so tragic as they are unable to afford ice for all of them as their kids living out of a motel in poverty.

Telephoto Lens

70mm or above sometimes referred to as long lenses, these lenses do the opposite of the standard lens as they are used to capture a distant subject making us feel like we are spectating others in the shoot rather than making us grounded within it. They often compress space and allows the shot to isolate a character among many or highlight a character in an empty making them seem small and their efforts seem futile as they are alone in the void of the setting, a long distance away from the camera, making the distance the character has to travel to get to us feel eternal, which could be used in films to emphasise isolation or to highlight them as an individual depending on its use.

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

The protagonist in Midnight Cowboy is outlined using a telephoto lens due to his outfit in comparison to the men and women around him it is made clear he is the odd one out in the city. Showcasing his struggles to make it in the city where he thought his dreams would come true this effect isolates him as inexperienced and naive. Which throughout the film we will see how he is punished by the harsh streets of new york which change him from an old fashioned cowboy to a desensitized modern man.

Macro Lenses

Defined by its focusing ability rather than focal length like the other lenses, ass they are incredibly varied for example you could a lens that's considered a fisheye lens but has a focal length of 35mm. They are defined by capturing extreme closeups with vivid detail, meaning magnification ratio 1 to 1 meaning images gathered to represent the real scale/size of the subject. 

Other macro lenses can have bigger ratios to increase the size of its subjects but you have to consider the minimum focusing distance when using this lens as you must figure out how far or close you need to be to capture the subject and depending on whether you can get close enough to it. 

This is perfect for extreme closeup and nature documentaries allowing you to look safely at the dangerous animals from a safe distance as well as making insects more clearly visible to the naked eye.

Seven (1995)

Extreme closeup perfect example use of macro lens creates an uncomfortable atmosphere as we see the character slicing their own fingerprints off, due to its clinical look under the more lighting the macro lens makes it look like we are analysing a piece of evidence as this shot collaborated with other extreme closeups f the crime scenes allowing the audience to put the clues together.

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Class Lens Showcase Example:

We were put into groups and made a showcase of different lenses available in our studio here's one of the examples the class created which outlines the different lenses with varying focal lengths, using the same model in the same setting with the only variable being the changed being these lenses, showcasing how a lens changes a shot composition entirely.

Overall I have clearly indicated a deep understanding of camera lenses through my examples and definitions where I discuss why and how they are used in the clips/screenshots I have showcased. However, if I was to recreate the example showcase of lenses I would try and have a more detailed background and a 3 point lighting setup to me accurately showcase the difference between the camera lenses due to there focal lengths.

Referencing List:

Aperture Section:

Skyfall (2012) Directed by Sam Mendes

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Directed by Sergio Leone

Fight Club (1999) Directed by David Fincher

Mansurov N, Last Updated on April 6, 2020, "Understanding Aperture in Photography" (Online) Available at:

https://photographylife.com/what-is-aperture-in-photography

Maio A, August 23, 2020, "What is Aperture - Ultimate Guide to the Camera Aperture and Depth of Field" (Online) Available at:

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-aperture/

ExpertPhotograhy.com, "How to Understand Aperture in Photography" (Online) Available at:

https://expertphotography.com/how-to-understand-aperture-5-simple-steps/

Lenses Section:

Studiobinder "Ultimate Guide to Camera Lenses — Every Type of Camera Lens Explained [Shot List Ep. 7]" (Online) Nov 16, 2020, Available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSsIqR3DuK8&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=StudioBinder

Lannom SC "The Different Types of Camera Lenses for Video and Photography" Nov 15, 2020 (Online) Available at:

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/different-types-camera-lenses-explained/

av.jpn.support.panasonic.com "How Focal Length Affects Viewing Angle" (Online) Available at:

https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/knowhow/knowhow12.html

The Wolf of Wall Street (2014) Directed by Martin Scorsese

The Shinning (1980) Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Directed by Terry Gilliam

The Martain (2015) Directed by Ridley Scott

 

The Florida Project (2017) Directed by Sean Baker

Midnight Cowboy (1969) Directed by John Schlesinger

Seven (1995)