One of my art/film related articles “Chiaroscuro – From Caravaggio to Harris Savides” that I wrote about half a year back has been receiving quite a number of hits, notably from folks who have been googling for information about Chiaroscuro and Harris Savides. I’m glad that the article served in some way, albeit tiny, a resource for liked minded folks like me who love the cinema and pursue cinematography as a both a passion and career, although I certainly don’t profess myself an expert.

Lighting and composition are 2 crucial elements in photography and film-making; Chiaroscuro, originally a bold and dramatic painting technique, is now sometimes used by DPs to achieve similar results in motion picture film.

For composition, we have the Rule of Thirds.

In simple terms, the Rules of Thirds states that there are certain “hotspots”, areas of intensity that exist within any given image, and if one were to align the subject within the range of influence of these hotspots, it will make for a more energetic and interesting composition. The image above illustrates the rule; the 4 “hotspots” where the red lines intersect, and where Detective Somerset ( Morgan Freeman ) stands. The intensity of the shot is further increased by a small depth of view and the dynamic, diagonal lines that the fluroscent lights form.

Director David Fincher’s Se7en ( shot by the brilliant cinematographer Darius Khondji, who also worked on Delicatessen, The City of Lost Children, Alien Resurrection, Panic Room, and more. ) is an excellent film to illustrate Rule of Thirds because of the huge number of still shots that was used in the film. Composition played an enormously important role here in creating tension and interest in the shots when the camera was locked down.

(above) Example 2 : Tracy Mills (Gwyneth Paltrow) lit by a soft, beautiful rim light and composed within the hotspots. Her frame is supported by the various vertical lines formed by the 2 pillars and the windows in the background.

(above) Example 3 : Detective David Mills ( Brad Pitt ) framed within the intersecting lines, his pose furthered strengthened by the energetic vertical and horizontal lines formed by his posture.

If chance permits, take a closer look at the film and you will discover that the Rules of Thirds is used again, again and again throughout the entire film. Below are some further illustrations :

Of course, I’m not suggesting that if one should start applying the rule that he or she will instantaneous achieve breathtaking, beautiful results; always it is a case of careful observation as well as a combination of other equally important ingredients like lighting, colour that truly bring out the full effect, no doubt what David Fincher and Darius Khondji did when shooting Se7en, I’m sure.

Nonetheless, its a handy skill to know and understand, and it might just change the way you look at (or even shoot) films in the future.

Rule of Thirds entry in Wikipedia
Darius Khondji entry in Wikipedia