Watching a good movie can be a great source of inspiration for us photographers.
Movies often show well-crafted visual compositions that showcase lights and colors.
Observing how directors and cinematographers use lighting and color palettes to evoke mood, convey emotion, and enhance storytelling can inspire us to experiment with similar techniques in our own work, elevating the visual impact of our photographs.
There are thousands of examples that could be given but here are a few examples of great movies showing amazing colors and superb lighting:
COLORS
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - What a visually crafted movie! A vibrant color palette, pastel shades, and bold primary colors create a harmonious aesthetic throughout the movie.
Avatar (2009) - Renowned for its groundbreaking visual effects. It features lush, vibrant landscapes and a rich color palette: I love the use of blues, greens, and other natural tones that make the movie look stunning.
La La Land (2016) - Beautiful cinematography, a vibrant color palette that captures the magic and romance of Los Angeles. The bold primary colors and warm, saturated tones make the movie breathtaking!
Legends of The Fall (2006) - Known for its superb vibrant color palette and lush landscapes Each scene feels like a work of art!
Amélie (2001)- I love its charming visual style and vibrant color palette, which captures the magic and romance of Paris. Saturated tones and warm hues make the movie look like a fairy-tale.
LIGHTING
Citizen Kane (1941) - Deep shadows, low-key lighting, and dramatic contrasts enhance the storytelling and visual impact.
The Godfather (1972) - Iconic cinematography and masterful use of lighting: The rich color palette and subtle lighting cues evoke mood, atmosphere, and tension!
The Revenant (2015) - Shot with almost entirely natural light and shows the raw beauty of nature.
Parasite (2019) - One of my favorite movies, a modern classic. The lighting design and cinematography are meticulously crafted. The use of lighting and shadow reflects the stark divide between the film's contrasting worlds.
I don’t know about you but I think I want to see them all over again!