Techniques mentioned in this post:
Composition: the use of the negative space.
As if we were talking about a photograph by the famous Henri Cartier-Bresson* we can never take for granted the emplacement of the elements when we frame a shot. Basic elements like lighting and the creative use of the negative space** can guide our eyes to the point of interest of our composition.
In this frame (killing eve s02e03) the director of photography decided to use the stairs as a guiding line (known as “leading lines”) to guide our eyes through the shot to the point where we meet the subjects of the scene, whose presence is also reinforced by the strategic use of the lighting. The rest of the frame is darker so our eyes can only focus on them.
It’s interesting how a shot that only last a couple of seconds could be so precise, which only reminds us of how every frame is important and how much depth it can give to a scene.
Other examples that shows the strategic placement of the elements (lighting, framing...) in a long or full shot to guide our eyes to the subject:
(Defending Jacob, 2020)
(The Morning Show, 2020)
(Bombshell, 2019)
(Black Sails, 2014)
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**Negative Space: The area surrounding the main subject in a photograph which is left unoccupied. It is the space around the object itself that helps define the positive space (or main focus). When used creatively together, negative and positive space can communicate the composition of your photograph. (iphotography.com) (More information here)
*Henri Cartier-Bresson was a photographer considered to be one of the greatest 20th-century photographers. He was a master of candid street photography and he had an excelent eye for composition. Although he always captured “the decisive moment”he always showed an excellent understanding of the importance in the placement of the elements in his pictures.
Other posts that you can find interesting:
Killing Eve Season 3 Photography: Rule of Thirds, Camera Angles, Leading Lines, Perspective
*All original images belong to Killing Eve (Sid Gentle Films), Defending Jacob (Mimir Films, Mark Bomback Productions, Paramount Television) and The Morning Show (Media Res
Echo Films, Hello Sunshine), Bombshell (Denver and Delilah Productions, Annapurna Pictures, Lighthouse Management & Media, Bron Studios, Everyman Pictures), Black Sails (Platinum Dunes, Quaker Moving Pictures) and Henri Cartier-Bresson.