A quick look back on previous decades and how film has evolved.
Cinematography is the art and technique of capturing visual images on film or digitally for the purpose of creating a movie. It encompasses all aspects of the visual design of a film, including the use of lighting, color, composition, and camera movement. Over the course of the past 70 years, Hollywood cinema has undergone significant stylistic changes in terms of how movies are shot and the visual language that is used to tell stories.
Between 1950 and the 1960, Hollywood movies were shot primarily in black and white, with the exception of a high budget color films. Cinematography during this period was heavily influenced by the German Expressionist movement, which emphasized the use of chiaroscuro lighting and bold, geometric shapes to create a sense of mood and atmosphere. This style of lighting was often used to create a sense of unease and tension in film noir and horror movies. Because color was not the standard some actors insisted on being cast in color or black and white films – depending on which format they felt made them look better. Marilyn Monroe insisted on appearing in only color films for aesthetic reasons – ironically one of her most famous films “Some Like It Hot” and her final completed film “The Misfits” were both black and white.
In the last 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Hollywood cinema underwent a major shift with the emergence of the New Hollywood movement. This movement was characterized by a new generation of young, independent filmmakers who were more interested in exploring personal and political themes than in making traditional, formulaic Hollywood movies. As a result, cinematography during this period became more experimental and diverse, with the use of hand-held cameras, natural lighting, and a more realistic visual style. “Taxi Driver” is a perfect example of this shift towards a grittier look.
The 1980s and 1990s saw a return to more traditional Hollywood filmmaking, with the rise of the blockbuster and the use of increasingly sophisticated special effects. Cinematography during this period was characterized by the use of glossy, highly polished images, with an emphasis on creating a sense of spectacle and grandeur. With the advent of digital technology, the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) became increasingly prevalent, allowing for the creation of more realistic and convincing special effects.
In the early 2000s, Hollywood cinema began to shift towards a more independent, low-budget aesthetic. This movement was led by a new generation of filmmakers who were interested in exploring more personal and experimental storytelling techniques. Cinematography during this period became more naturalistic and grounded, with the use of handheld cameras and a focus on creating a sense of realism.
In recent years, Hollywood cinema has continued to evolve and change. With the advent of digital technology, the use of CGI has become even more prevalent, allowing for the creation of more realistic and convincing special effects. Additionally, there has been an increased focus on the use of color and the manipulation of visual elements to create a sense of mood and atmosphere. With the rise of streaming platforms and the increasing importance of visual storytelling, the role of cinematography in Hollywood cinema has become more important than ever. Disney+ relies heavily on dazzling fans with movies like Avatar 2 – a film praised more for its animation than its storytelling.
Overall, Hollywood cinematography has undergone significant stylistic changes over the past 70 years. From the use of chiaroscuro lighting and bold, geometric shapes in the 1950s, to the naturalistic and grounded aesthetic of the present day, the visual language of Hollywood cinema has evolved to reflect changing trends and technology. Today, the use of color, CGI and visual storytelling is an important aspect of Hollywood cinema to tell a story in a visually appealing way.
Mixed Media Magazine 