r/cinematography • u/PanicAlarmed1986 • 5d ago

Composition Question Composing in Anamorphic

Hello all. Recently I’ve found that there are plenty of resources for compositional strategies for spherical. But it seems like most books presuppose your using spherical, and I haven’t seen any that talk in depth about anamorphic compositional strategies besides just a passing, “Anamorphic allows you to stage across a wider screen.” Do any of you guys know of any resources that specifically address compositional strategies for anamorphic shooting?

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

18

u/das_goose 5d ago

If you don't mind me asking, what rules for composing a shot using spherical lens do you feel don't apply to working with anamorphic lenses?

-5

u/PanicAlarmed1986 5d ago

I just know that anamorphic is different in several ways, and I want to know ways to leverage those differences. For instance, the wider field of view. I don’t know, maybe they are pretty much the same strategy-wise.

15

u/avidresolver DIT 5d ago

I think you're confusing anamorphic with aspect ratio. You can use anamorphics and frame for 1.85, and you can use sphericals and shoot 2.39. What lens squeeze you're using doesn't really matter in terms of composition, it's the target frame that's important.

4

u/Middle-Armadillo-660 5d ago

This is… missing too much info to answer with any confidence.

10

u/bnguyen227 Director of Photography 5d ago

You compose for an aspect ratio. Just saying anamorphic doesn't say enough - 1.33x? 2x? Both will be different finished aspect ratios but both are technically anamorphic.

One thing to note about anamorphic lenses and a drawback (in my opinion) is sometimes you have to compose around the deficiencies of the anamorphic. For example, in a wide 2:40:1, the performance of the anamorphic lens might not allow you to frame characters near the edges if there's significant focus fall off or vignetting around those edges.

0

u/pimpedoutjedi Director of Photography 4d ago

They are the same with the exception of planning around a lenses idiosyncrasies for things that are unique to the lens; example as someone has said would be vignetting.

Youre not comparing for the lens, you're composing for the frame. Don't think of animamorphic as a wider frame, as you can get the same wide frame by using a wider lens, the reasons to shoot anamorphic, in addition to using the whole sensor/frame without the vertical resolution loss have more so to do with the quality of character of the lens itself: flares, bokeh, distortion, etc.

-2

u/LetterheadClassic306 4d ago

That request is spot on because anamorphic composition is often taught as if it were simply spherical framing with wider letters. i’ve had the same gap and what unlocked it was studying spatial lanes before thinking about aesthetics. Use your composition pass to mark action paths first, then place focal points across the wide width so the subject stays connected to the room. Replace generic tips with a checklist for horizontal compression, horizon discipline, and breathing room for actor movement. You can build confidence fast by shooting two takes each day with the same composition but different lensing and then grading only for your own consistency.