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Master cinematographers approach every frame as an opportunity to convey the feel of the scene. And one of the things that really helps them to achieve it is composition—the way elements (actors, scenery, props, etc) are placed on screen in respect to each other and within the frame itself has a huge impact on our viewing experience.

To show the brilliance behind a frame's layout, Raymond Thi of Composition Cam analyzes visually stunning films, adding simple, bold lines to demonstrate triangles, quadrants, and other geometric shapes that please our eyes.

As you will see, some pictures use the grid method to create balanced frames while others focus on a central character instead. Many of these films feature relatively simple compositions too, proving that a few elements can make a lasting impact. If you know how to use them.

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Film director and cinematographer (a combo that makes her a rare breed), Elena Rossini, appreciates Thi's work, putting the spotlight on frame composition. "Whenever people discuss the work of great directors, they often fail to mention the art of cinematography," she told Bored Panda. "But for me, it is truly essential and is what separates good from masterful directors. After all, film is a visual art."

Rossini's favorite filmmakers are also those who put a lot of effort into composition. "Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, and Céline Sciamma [are probably at the top of this list]. 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' was a masterpiece in my opinion, with every shot carefully composed as if it were a painting.

For her, the most successful compositions are those that help the storytelling, creating a sense of awe and wonder (Sciamma, Kubrick) or make you relate to a character (Anderson).

#2

The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Space Odyssey

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#3

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jodie Foster was on the Graham Norton show and she talked about how she and Anthony Hopkins never talked to each other until the shoot was done because they were both so afraid of the other.

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"My favorite composition technique is the one-point perspective," Rossini said. "It's Stanley Kubrick's signature shot (I talked about it in my blog), where all the lines in the composition harmoniously converge to a point in the distance. It is no coincidence that Kubrick's shots are so beautifully crafted, as he started working as a photographer and then made the transition to cinema."

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Since the filmmaker also admires Wes Anderson, Rossini loves his high-angle POV shots "as they put you in the shoes of the characters, creating an added sense of intimacy."

If you would like to try these composition techniques for yourself, Thi has created an app that applies these lines to your iOS device.

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Stranger Things

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Sori
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are taught in art school, compositions like these are many to keep the viewers eyes interested and moving to see all the details.

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Star Wars: Episode Iv - A New Hope (1977)

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RaroaRaroa
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3 years ago

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Oh look! Someone drew lines along the perfectly natural lines of the perspective in this shot. No, I don't get what the big deal is here.

#6

From 'Sherlock'

From 'Sherlock'

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Marlowe Fitzpatrik
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, on the 8th pic (second from below), the focal point is the picture on the wall, not the ground.

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The Simpsons

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Isle Of Dogs

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Mary Rose Kent
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m not a huge animation fan, but I liked this so much, that I was quite interested in a second viewing.

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Yojimbo (1961)

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grey galah
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this reminds me so much of the Renaissance grid for perspective

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Moonrise Kingdom (2012)⠀

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)⠀

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The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014)⠀⠀

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Reservoir Dogs (1992)⠀

Reservoir Dogs (1992)⠀

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Drive

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even with Carrie Mulligan in it it lost my attention in no time.

#24

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

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Easily Excitable Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen this movie a dozen times, and I never realized how perfectly framed that shot is before! I need to keep my eyes open for this.

#25

Game Of Thrones (TV Series)

Game Of Thrones (TV Series)

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Black Swan (2010)

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A Clockwork Orange (1971)⠀

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Marlowe Fitzpatrik
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um... Am I missing things? Maybe I just don't understand this thing because it's pretty obvious to me that the group is the center of perspective??? !!!

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Full Metal Jacket

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Luther von Wolfen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm learning from all this that there are about five things that filmmakers do over and over and over.

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The Neon Demon

The Neon Demon

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Okja (2017)⠀

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The Truman Show (1998)⠀

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Requiem For A Dream

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The Revenant (2015)⠀

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“The Wizard Of Oz” (1939)⠀

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Thor (2011)⠀

Thor (2011)⠀

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La La Land (2016)⠀

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Dunkirk (2017)⠀

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Skyfall (2012)

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2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)⠀

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"The World Is Turning Upside Down."

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The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

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"The Shining" (1980)

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Sense8

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The Tree Of Life (2011)

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Legion (TV Series)

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SeidWolf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one of the most underrated rated shows. fantastic cinematography, color & lighting, innovative storytelling. like most things of quality and intelligence, undervalued.

#52

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)

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Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

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Bronson

Bronson

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O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)⠀

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Only God Forgives

Only God Forgives

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Ghostbusters (1984)⠀

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American Beauty (1999)⠀

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Suspiria (1977)⠀

Suspiria (1977)⠀

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There Will Be Blood (2007)⠀⠀

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Breaking Bad

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The Fifth Element (1997)

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Doctor Who (TV Series)

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"Road To Perdition" (2002)⠀

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"Doctor Strange" (2016)

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The Office (S03e05)

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2001: A Space Odyssey

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The Godfather

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"Jaws" (1975)⠀

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The Shape Of Water (2017)

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Daredevil (S02e09)

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Whiplash (2014)⠀

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Wonder Woman (2017)⠀

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The Great Gatsby (2013)⠀

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Dana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's not right in the middle though... This bothers me

#77

Black Mirror (TV Series) S03e04

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It Follows (2014)⠀

It Follows (2014)⠀

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The Dark Knight

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Stalker (1979)

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Breaking Bad" (TV Series)

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American Psycho (2000)

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House Of Cards

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Inglourious Basterds (2009)⠀

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The World's End (2013)⠀

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Sherlock (S01e03)⠀

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"The Danish Girl" (2015)⠀

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Master Of None

Master Of None

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One Hour Photo (2002)⠀

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“The Hidden Fortress” (1958)⠀

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"La La Land" (2016)⠀

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300 (2006)

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"Better Call Saul" (TV Series) Episode 1.03

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Atonement (2007)⠀

Atonement (2007)⠀

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"True Detective" (TV Series) Episode 1.02⠀

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"Metropolis" (1927)

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"Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" (2010)

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The Fall

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Better Call Saul

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The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel

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"The Fall" (2006)

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The Florida Project

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Fantastic Mr. Fox

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"Trainspotting" (1996)

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Breaking Bad" (S02e09)⠀

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Sherlock

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Parasite (2019)

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