do films inspire your photography

thebaz

i find i get much of my inspiration from movies , particularly old films , watched "Once upon a time in the west" recently, and the camera work was amazing , similar with Taxi driver, and much of scorseses work, and paris texas . Later and more recent movies , don't seam to have the same quality camera work , and should benefit better technology.

On a futher note , would many of you like to progress into video , and move on from still photography ?

mathias

The house of the flying daggers ( one of those silly martial arts films ) inspired me , I like landscapes , and that movie , you could freeze it at almost any point and have an image you would be proud to put on your wall , really beautiful camera work.

City-Exile

Other photographs inspire me.
It's not always obvious, but sometimes I see something & it gives me an idea.
Not sure that I could ever attribute one of my photographs to something I've seen in a movie.

AnCatDubh

Nope - don't find movies make me 'want' to run out and photograph anything.

The second part is interesting though - no intentions to move towards video. I'd far rather be better at stills

My wife and I have had the hypothetical question debated before - if when we were married we had to choose only one - videographer or photographer, at our wedding which would we choose. No competition - photography wins out every time.

I've done some elementary video production and it just doesn't float me boat. I was reasonably capable at it but it was just a case of..... meh! In fact my video camera developed a fault and i've had no inclination to get it fixed.

This may be just a personal preference. It would be interesting to see what others think. Are both disciplines similar or miles apart.

stcstc

I work with both for my living


And i get very different things from each


I enjoy both at times, and also despise both at times


quite a few film makers have actually moved into it from stills photography.


They are very different skills bases and take work in different ways

sasar

I watched War Photographer (2001) a while ago and that inspired me to make a few city shots. Excellent documentary film.


http://www.war-photographer.com/

m_stan

Bigtime inspired by movies. Sin City and 300 are so beautiful - I'd love to make either stills or video that look like that. I'm nowhere near being able to though, but it does remain an inspiration...

Video does interest me for sure. My jaw nearly dropped recently when I realised that you can process video in Photoshop CS3 extended. That really got me going (sad I know!). Haven't had time to play with it yet though, and to be honest I'm really just finding my way with still processing and opening the video can of worms will probably just end up with me never getting away from the computer!

ThOnda

I know what you are talking sasar, however War Photographer is more about a way how to approach photography. But the photos in that movie are great.

When I got a little more interested in photography, I have realised that I am trying to find good pictures even in movies. Or in films. It really depends on the camera-director or just camera (person). Some movies are like "made from moving photographs". Kurosava movies are like that, Goran Bregovic is well know for that, and you can find that in really good films (Fight club?). Unfortunately it's hard to find it in popular cash making films. Camera is good, because it is mostly visual piece of goods, however most of the time it is only interesting but not a good photograph.

So yes, some films influence my visual experience and make me think more. And more creatively.

About the second question now. Video - never. BUT! Film - let me think... maybe.

It is the same as photography. People as the subject of document are more important than medium or artistic point of view. So yes, I would like to do film documentary on almost any topic. Excluding for me personally disgusting topics (patriotism, organisations, vegetarians...).

Spyral

I seen a science festival film called no mans hero which has nice images. Be warned if you do watch it its not suitable for minors.. has voilence and stuff

sasar

Didn't feel like working, so watched another excellent movie about photography. Based on a real story.

City of God
Cidade de Deus (2002)

kensutz

sasar wrote: »

Didn't feel like working, so watched another excellent movie about photography. Based on a real story.

City of God:

I'd advise you to remove the link

elven

I can't deny it, Peter Jackson has a lot to answer for... every time I watch Lord of the Rings I get the urge to shoot in a forest

I also love everything Tim Burton does and it fuels my love of spooky trees, old houses and a certain processing style too. Can't fight it.

Don't laugh, but the new Pride & Prejudice has some beautiful camerawork in it, very inspiring. Gorgeous colours. Unfortunately whenever i watch these and want to go out and shoot stuff, it's usually night time and the urge leaves before i get the chance to actually put it into practise. bah.

pop40

there was an articale in last weeks sunday times mag about gregory crewdson, who obviously is inspired by films.
http://images.google.ie/images?hl=en&q=gregory+crewdson&um=1&ie=UTF-8

Ideo

I wouldn't necessary say that some films inspire me to go out and take similar photos, but ive looked at many a film and said 'wow, thats great cinamatography'. A Good Year is probably top of my list at the moment!

sheesh

some of the big landscape scenes definitely get my excitement levels up. I think some of the camera work in top gear is pretty cool not the cars but the set up shots if they are doing a test in some place nice.

some of the shots in their trip in africa were pretty amazing.

AnimalRights

thebaz wrote: »

On a futher note , would many of you like to progress into video , and move on from still photography ?

I started of in Video!!
I do both now.

thebaz

sasar wrote: »

Didn't feel like working, so watched another excellent movie about photography. Based on a real story.

City of God
Cidade de Deus (2002)

thats the Brazilian one , yeah ? -- havn't seen it YET , its meant to be brill

Fionn

i have watched soo many vids and marveled at the stuff that they do from early movies to some of the music vids - really awe inspiring - Speilberg is a master at it - just some of his stuff is so marvellous and some of the others mentioned!
personally i'd love to get involved with film videography and production etc. would love it - aint gonna happen tho i'd say!! but there ya go!! eh?