LIGHTING
When working with cameras, lighting is incredibly important. You can change the tone of the image depending on the type of lighting used, and how you use it.
The two types of lighting in photography are,
Available light, which are naturally occurring light sources, like the sun or moon.
Artificial light, which are light sources that are created for the purpose of the photo, like torches and lamps.
Documentary
You've probably seen an expository documentary if you've ever watched Planet Earth or any of the BBC's other nature shows. An expository documentary is intended to educate and inform the viewer. It explains concepts about our world in a different way than an observational or participatory film would.
Expository documentaries give a specific point of view or argument about a subject, and the narrator frequently talks directly to the viewer, stressing the link between the pictures on-screen and providing commentary. Expository documentaries incorporate material that supports and improves the film's stated themes, such as stock footage, archive footage, b-roll, or historical re-enactments.
Expository documentaries are extensively researched and produced in order to enlighten and convince. The purpose of the expository method, as opposed to the lyrical or observational documentary forms, is to provide a powerful case to the audience, convincing them to believe in or agree with a given point of view.
Observational documentary films are non-intrusive means of monitoring real-world events or people without disturbing them. Observation mode follows ordinary scenarios without interference, as if the filmmaker were not even present. The cinematographer makes every effort to be as inconspicuous as possible.
It is sometimes viewed as a compromise between the poetry method (which is extremely abstract and focuses on feelings) and the explanatory mode (which is focused on the narrators' unique point of view).
Shots if scripted were filmed from afar using a zoom lens to make the shot appear as if it were organic - Observational documentary's are typically filmed using minimal equipment to keep the crew sizes small, as to not draw unwanted attention or disrupt those around them.
An example of an observational documentary's is John Griersons - The Drifters, a 1929 silent movie about the story of Britain's North Sea herring fishery.
Participatory documentaries are defined by the interaction between the documentary producers and their subject.. As a result, a cinematographer is responsible for capturing both the interviewer and the interviewee. Participatory documentaries, or simply interactive documentaries, frequently depict the filmmaker's interpretation of the truth as "the" truth, emphasizing direct contact with subjects and recording genuine emotional reactions and exchanges. Many of the exchanges documented reflect the producer's point of view or demonstrate the film's intentions. An example of which are, Michael Moore's documentaries, such as Bowling for Columbine (2001), incorporating aspects of observational and performative modes.
Documentary's such as Bowling for Columbine, play on the viewers emotions, their humanity, to make them sympathise with the 'victim', In this case the students of Columbine.
In favour of emotion, tone, or the juxtaposition of images, a poetic documentary forgoes linear continuity. In order to tell a tale without the use of unnecessary words, poetic documentaries frequently feature little to no narrative content. For this reason, the cinematography is frequently tasked with creating beautifully composed, striking visuals. Leni Riefenstahl's 1938 film Olympia is an instance of a poetic documentary that combines imagery and aesthetics to assist uncover an inner truth.
Olympia was directed and written by Lent Riefenstahl, a renowned film maker, photographer and actress of her time, best known for featuring or creating Nazi Propaganda during the Second World War.
Lent was asked to produce a piece of propaganda about the 1936 Summer Olympic Games In Berlin. The film has been a topic of controversial since its release due to its propagandan nature, whilst also being one of the best film ever created, with the cinematography being what is now considered industry standard.
The interaction between the filmmaker and the audience is emphasised in a reflective documentary form, which invites viewers to reexamine their worldviews and notions of reality. In contrast to an expository mode, a documentary's reflexive form examines the making of the movie rather than looking at outside subjects. Reflective documentary encourages careful re/consideration of the subject matter rather than attempting to elicit strong emotional reactions from the audience.
Since the subject of documentary films is frequently the making of them, a cinematographer will document the entire film production process, including editing, interviews, and post-production.
The participatory documentary mode and the reflexive documentary mode are similar in that both emphasise the filmmaker's involvement and typically include the cameraman and camera as integral parts of the production. In an attempt to present a version of the truth in a non-fiction format, the reflexive documentary mode poses questions and approaches subjects with ambiguity. In reflexive documentaries, the camera or production team is frequently visible to draw attention to the rules of filmmaking and to demonstrate self-awareness to dispel preconceived notions about the film's agenda or content.
Nowadays, people use documentaries to educate themselves on a wide range of international, social, religious, cultural, and political issues.
Documentaries on issues including climate change, world wars, global politics, third-world crises, and others have been screened in schools, colleges, and institutions for years as a means of educating huge audiences.
This misperception is typical.
The goal of documentaries is to inspire and challenge viewers' ideas and beliefs in order to improve it.
When educating others on topics they are unfamiliar with, they can be incredibly helpful.
If someone wanted to learn about global warming and its impacts on the world, it may encourage you to adopt a more environmentally conscious mindset and contribute to the greater good.
From a technical perspective, documentaries can be successfully produced by a one-man crew and don't need a big staff.
Identifying your audience is the first important step in making a documentary. In order to connect with your audience, you must be very specific while attempting to identify them. This makes the audience more emotionally invested in what they're viewing, which has a stronger impact on your subject. By focusing on the ethnicity, culture, or religion of your target audience, you can capture their interest and encourage further interest in the topic.
The message you want to convey, the action you want your viewers to take once the screen goes dark, and their thoughts and feelings must all be determined next. The viewer might start to reconsider a decision in life, a harmful habit, making a charitable donation, becoming active in a community, etc.
Additionally, you must spend a lot of time on the production, studying your subject, getting quotations from experts, and, if required, contacting them. Finding suitable filming locations, post-production, and so forth. Planning takes time, but when done well, it produces a powerful, well-received documentary.