During my time at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, I learned techniques of working with different tools, such as both movie and DSLR cameras. It was interesting to use either device and explore their capabilities as well as the ideas I could implement with them. However, ultimately, I leaned toward the DSLR cameras and still photography rather than the motion of the film. I think that most people should at least try taking some creative photos, both of real situations and the sets that they create.
Photography is a unique form of art that has become one of the most influential in human history despite its relative novelty. According to Barnbaum (2017), it combines the inherent realism that stems from the accurate depiction of a real scene with the photographer’s message, expressed through the choice to take the shot. As a result, good photos make one look at the situation from a different angle, capturing a myriad of details that one had formerly not noticed.
However, not all things can be photographed at one’s convenience, which is where set design comes in. Powerful moments and old eras pass, and objects or locations no longer exist, having disappeared before the advent of photography. However, the set design allows you to recreate these times and places in as much detail as you like. Making them as true to reality as you can is a massive challenge and one that I think many people will enjoy.
Reference
Barnbaum, B. (2017). The art of photography: A personal approach to artistic expression (2nd ed.). Rocky Nook.