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Logan Daugherty

Ms. Davis

English III

30 April 2018

Film and Photographic Arts

Film and Photographic arts has always had a great influence on society since the first use

of moving pictures. The people behind this creativity work long hours to provide entertainment

for an audience. A career in film and photographic arts requires the knowledge of the history of

film, technique of photography, and the stories communicated through films and photography.

The first use of moving pictures dates back to the 1500s, but movies like the ones seen

today only age about a century old. While film originates from Europe, when World War I took

its toll, Hollywood, California took over. Much of the filmmaking today takes place in

Hollywood, but has expanded to all over the world (Eboch 8). In the 1600s, Netherland inventors

began using lenses to project images on the wall and used the sun or candles as the light source

(Eboch 10). Photographers developed the shutter in order to change one picture into another

which mimicked movement. The first person to successfully have a camera that took a sequence

of photos quick enough to capture movement, Eadweard Muybridge, transformed the future of

videography. His first success took place at a racetrack. He set up twelve cameras in a row, and

as the horses passed by, their legs broke threads, which triggered the camera shutter (Eboch 12).

In the 1880s advances in film changed glass plates to film on a roll as the method of capturing

movement. Thomas Edison soon met with Muybridge to consider combining his phonograph to

record sound with his projecting machine (Eboch 13). The influence of film has spread
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throughout society and impacted the culture of America greatly (Eboch 9). Without the influence

of film, viewing the world and receiving information would transpire differently.

Pursuing a career in videography requires an application process and often times an

interview where one presents their skills (Careers 26). While employers do not require a specific

educational path, attending film school and taking a form of art in high school can lead to a

higher chance of getting the desired job (Careers 27). One must learn to take on tasks

independently and with team of other individuals. Creativity will determine how far one gets in

the profession along with the knowledge of technical skills. The best editors and filmmakers

breed from the most creative minds and offer visually pleasing effects for the viewer (Careers

18). Many filmmakers agree that film remains one of the coolest businesses in the world. The

satisfaction of seeing their name at the end of a long project, along with seeing the project on

screen, empowers and inspires filmmakers (Careers 19). However, film takes a lot of

determination and time; one could spend anywhere from twelve to fifteen hours a day. Hours

vary depending on the project, but even small projects can run into the night or weekends. Film

editors often put up with the long hours in order to boost their income (Careers 20). Just like any

other job, one will come across unpleasant people with big egos. Whether one has less skill and

talent like a videographer assistant, or the director giving a project that cannot undergo

modification, one must learn to work in all conditions in the industry (Careers 21). Film requires

patience and dedication that only someone with a passion for the career can handle.

Many types of videography exist in today’s society. “The craft of cinematography brings

together a range of distinct but complementary tasks, such as planning of the lighting, the

composition of the film frame, the orchestration of the camera movement, and the manipulation
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of the negative in the laboratory” (Keating 1). The types can range anywhere from travel, to

weddings, to documentaries. Travel videography consists of footage taken from around the world

to inform a viewer. Wedding videography captures the monumental event of getting married and

the highlights of the event. Documentaries typically inform viewers about a real life and story

(“Types”). When editing the videos, choosing the order greatly impacts the final product. One

would want to make sure the sequence made sense and told the story they want to tell (Pitt). A

career in videography can go in many directions, but it all depends on where one decides to

direct their focus.

Travel videography​ ​has become a huge hit on social media platforms, such as youtube. A

large portion of travel videography consists of building a story and defining the ideas within the

video. Along with the story, audio draws the viewer in and magnifies the creativity shown

throughout a film, and that goes for any type of videography. Thinking about smaller audio clips,

such as wildlife or street noise that brings the viewer in, holds high importance when capturing

an audience (“Types”). Travel videography comes with a high expense, as it all depends where

one travels and the​ ​equipment needed for the job. One should consider the costs of hotels,

transportation, and the cost of entry to any locations needed (“Types”). Travel videography gives

an insight into society around the world and the amazing different cultures, giving one the

exposure to life outside their state or country.

Documentaries, videos focused on people’s real life situations, have a large audience and

can give valuable information. The creator should strive to tell a story to inform and entertain an

audience (“Types”). Filmmakers play the important role of incorporating artistic and emotional

elements that pull the viewer in. While documentaries present non-fiction content, the filmmaker
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can still include creativity. The film should never cover too much information overwhelming and

hiding the true point behind the story; find a main subject and develop smaller ideas inside that

specific idea (“Types”). The filmmaker decides how to make the documentary have emotion and

make it interesting to watch. Without the correct emotion and subject, the film could have a

totally different meaning than what the videographer intended.

Wedding videography captures a moment one remembers for the rest of their life. The

video can take very substantial pre-planning. Videographer Dave Williams edits a majority of his

videos before the ceremony takes place, as much as 80%. He will film interviews with the couple

and their family members and add in the ceremony footage at a later date. Williams also suggests

that the bride and groom pick the music in order to satisfy the couple (Schumacher). Williams

mentions another important aspect; having multiple people on site to cover the shoot. He tends to

make sure he has one primary camera operator, an assistant shooter, and another person to do the

editing (Schumacher). Wedding videography gives someone the opportunity to relive their

ceremony endlessly and take a walk down memory lane.

Music significantly influences video production and a large portion of videography

involves development of music videos. Often times the promotion of a song, also promotes the

artist, giving an insight into their morals, values, and passions (“Types”). The filmmaker needs to

have a concept ready to present to the artists. If the creator starts with a final product in mind, the

process runs much easier when presenting the idea and completing the video. Some videos in the

film making world provide for more entertainment purposes then telling a story. Many times

they will record the band or artist live, which doesn't seem to tell a story at all (“Types”). Music
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videos let the audience see a story take place or see the faces behind a song. It gives them

entertainment and something to see while they listen to the song.

Photography has shaped the society we live in today. Photography gives anyone the

chance to create images in their own way (Ingledew 6). Photos and photography often times have

the purpose of inspiring. One can preserve moments of the past that without the camera, one

could not capture (Ingledew 8). When shooting, photographers offer excitement and adventure,

which can empower and inspire audiences. Photographers often get to the root of an issue and

can inspire others to take action. “The camera gives you the ability to take something permanent

and satisfying from every encounter” (Ingledew 11). A large portion of photographers are

inspired to tell stories with their pictures. They also strive to find unforgettable moments that will

capture an audience. Photographers want to make in impact and influence people to change the

world (Ingledew 82). Without the mindset photographers have developed, many social and

economic issues would not see the light of day. Photographers work hard to make sure everyone

has a voice and can promote the good and bad.

Past inventions consistently influence today's art of photography. The word “Camera”

comes from the Latin term camera obscura, which means “dark room.” The early version of

camera obscura consisted of a darkened room with a minute hole in one wall. Light would enter

the room through a small hole and project an image from outside onto the dark wall.

Unfortunately, blurry and inverted images formed from the camera obscura. Artists would then

sketch the scenes projected by hand to capture the image (Photography). Overtime the camera

obscura advanced into a handheld box with an optical lens, in the pinhole, to enhance the image.

In the late 18th century, Thomas Wedgwood and Sir Humphry Davy experimented with the
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recording of images. They used paper coated with silver chloride, which could produce images

of paintings, silhouettes of leaves, and human profiles. However, the photos did not print

permanently and would turn black when exposed to light (Photography). These innovations

paved the path for advancements in photographic technology in today's world. In 1831, Louis

Jacques Mandé Daguerre, a french painter, developed photos on silver plates coated with a light

layer of silver iodide. He would expose the plate for several minutes, then use mercury vapors to

make a positive image. However, these photos also did not print permanently, as the plates

would darken over time. In response, the British inventor William Henry Fox Talbot presented

silver iodide particles insensitive to light to prevent total blackening of the plates. As Talbot

began to perfect his process, he discovered that paper coated with silver iodide increased in light

sensitivity if dampened, and then exposed by the solution. After many trials and error, Talbot

made the Calotype process, which required exposures of thirty seconds to produce a sufficient

image on a negative (Photography). The photos produced at the time developed in black and

white images. In 1861, James Clerk Maxwell, finally produced a successful colored photo using

an additive-color process. Skills and inventions began to improve into the 20th century, when the

introduction of more modern camera equipment began. The new technological advances inspired

the spread of photography as a hobby and entertainment by many people. In 1947, the Polaroid

Land camera became available. Edwin H. Land had discovered a way to develop and finish

prints in the camera right after exposure. Not long after, new innovations allowed manufacturers

to increase the speed, and light sensitivity of films. Black and White films could finally rise from

an ISO of 100 to an ISO of 5000! Finally in the 1960s, the introduction of photopolymerization

made it possible to print images onto regular paper (Photography). These innovations created a
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path for the photography used today. Without the introduction of these inventions, the world

known today would have developed very differently.

Aerial photography plays a large role in society today. It plays a large role in the

capturing of land surveys for mapmaking, studying the growth of cities, finding traces left by

ancient civilizations, observing land use, and the spread of animal population and vegetation.

Professionals create specially made cameras with several lenses, large film magazines, and

mounted vibration-free tripods on airplanes in order to get steady pictures (Photography).

Military surveillance makes up a large part of aerial photography. They often have cameras with

long focals lengths that can produce very high quality images. As aerial photography advances it

increasingly employs geologists to find mineral resources and help news organizations obtain

instant photos of news events (Photography). Aerial photography has given a large resource to

the growth of cities, farms, and businesses.

Underwater photography gives insight into marine life and the functions of life

underwater. In order to take an underwater photo, the camera requires of watertight housing case,

with glass or plastic in front of the lens (Photography). During the day, a photographer can take

photos at depths of more than thirty feet. For deep-sea exploration, many cameras may also

require a pressure resistant house. In deeper water, an artificial light of some type would become

required to get clear images. Clarity of images however, depends on the clarity of water as well.

Wide angle lenses are popular in underwater photography in order to balance the effect water has

of making anything look twenty-five percent closer than it actually appears. Underwater

photography has become widely popular with scuba divers wanting to capture the beauty of the

underwater world (Photography). Without the images provided from underwater photography,
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many of the information scientists have gathered would have no meaning. The insight the photos

have given, has allowed the knowledge of underwater marine life possible.

Astronomical Photography has greatly impacted the field of science and the ability to

capture astronomy. Photographers place a photographic plate in front of a telescope focal plane,

where they can get precise locations and brightness of celestial bodies. An important part of the

photographic plate consists of the ability to have long time-exposures, which allows the visibility

of faint astronomical objects (Photography). Lately, photographic recording sensitivity has

improved by image-enhancing techniques. The new techniques have created sharper, more

detailed images that have improved the quality of photos from outer space. The computers have

successfully digitized the photos information, then reproduce it into an improved resolution

(Photography). Without astronomical photography, the information inquired from them would

not expose scientists to the wonders of the unknown. The photos the world has, give lots of

information and teaches us about science outside of the earth.

A career in film and photographic arts requires education through schooling to learn the

history of film, techniques used for photography, and communicate stories to a viewer. Film and

photography changes the way one sees the world today and gives insight to raw and amazing

moments. The innovations of cameras and videography have opened doors for new ideas and

creativity.
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Works Cited

Careers in Film and Video Editing. Institute for Career Research, 2009. EBSCOhost,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e862xna&AN=293560&site=e

ds-live&scope=site​>

Eboch, M. M. A History of Film. ABDO Publishing, 2015. Essential Library of Cultural History.

EBSCOhost,

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Ingledew, John and Lorentz Gullachsen. Photography. vol. 2nd ed, Laurence King

Publishing, 2013. Portfolio. EBSCOhost,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e862xna&AN=926169&site=e

ds-live&scope=site​>

Keating, Patrick. Cinematography. Rutgers University Press, 2014. Behind the Silver

Screen. EBSCOhost,

<​http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e862xna&AN=836328&site=e

ds-live&scope=site​>

"Photography." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 2017, p. 1p. 1. EBSCOhost,

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5861&db=funk&AN=PH072400&site=ehost-live&scope=site​>

Pitt, Ben. "Top Tips for Video Editing." Computer Shopper, no. 345, Nov. 2016, p. 128.
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EBSCOhost,

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5861&db=f6h&AN=117903995&site=ehost-live&scope=site​>

Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric. "THE Art of the Wedding-Day EDIT. (Cover Story)." Eventdv,

vol. 18, no. 2, Feb. 2005, p. 20. EBSCOhost,

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“Types of Videography.” ​Smartshoot,​ <​www.smartshoot.com/types-of-videography​.>