[Trend inspirations] Capturing the beautiful cinematography

112 September 20, 2018September 20, 2018

[Trend inspirations] Capturing the beautiful cinematography

by Guest Beanie

Thirty But Seventeen

Inspired by nature, I started my experimentations with photography some ten years back. Gradually, I learned by experience and got better with time. Then K-dramas entered my life, mesmerizing me by their beautiful cinematography. Whether it be through a gorgeous skyline, snow-covered mountains, or someone just sitting while the camera pans, I was madly in love with how everything looked nothing short of a fairy tale. (*Cough* I am not at all taking the credit away from My Handsome Oppas for being The Ultimate Beauty that keeps me hooked to K-dramas.)

From my childhood I have been a visual learner, unable to read books for even ten minutes without getting sleepy. On the contrary, give me anything interesting to watch and I can spend hours engrossed without even blinking (a slight exaggeration but you get my point). K-dramas fit that bill too, and via cinematography, watching dramas has been akin to exploring the beautiful trends of South Korea via camera. Let me share a few captivating cinematography trends:

Before K-dramas I knew nothing about Bokeh. While watching beautiful confession scenes, I found the soft, smooth, circular background lights irresistible. Curious, I thoroughly researched to know what it was exactly, thereby starting my “following the K-drama trend” journey.

Kill Me, Heal Me

In Kill Me, Heal Me, I was supposed to be squealing at the anticipated kiss above but rather, I paused and stared at the background lights. I immediately began fidgeting with my point-and-shoot camera to figure out how it could be done. It wasn’t possible with my existing camera and I discovered I would need a DSLR. After six months of extensive research and brainstorming, I found and bought a DSLR with two kit lenses, which cost me a little less than my one-month salary. I was broke for a while, but I was happy, knowing I would be doing something creative.

Three months down the line, after lots of practice and learning, I could shoot the smooth, soft, and creamy bokeh. The image below became my first K-drama-inspired creation.

Then came Weightlifting Fairy and those twinkling hearts in the background went straight to my heart. Until that time, I never thought that it was possible to make the lights look like tiny hearts. I created a stencil for my lens and eventually succeeded in making the lights heart-shaped.

There was a catch though, as I could only get the light sources as hearts in the shot and could not include my subject. I tried all I could for months but it never worked. I eventually resigned myself to the idea that I was not proficient enough, and I gave up trying.

Strong Woman Do Bong-soon

But since trends repeat, Do Bong-soon later revived that dream. This time I was determined to learn how to do it. I discovered that my lenses were the reasons it hadn’t worked in the past. In order to have both heart-shaped lights and the subject together in the frame, I needed a new type of lens–as you may have guessed, I bought it too. Tada! It worked this time.

The day I clicked my first successful image I jumped all around my house like a true maniac. Finally, I could strike this achievement of creativity off my list as well.

My latest obsession cum fascination is the creative use of mirrors. In Thirty But Seventeen the scene below had me WOWWWing like anything. I’ve played it so many times but I’m still unable to figure out how many mirrors there are and how exactly they are placed to reverse her walk in the left mirror. (I suggest you watch this scene to know exactly what I am attempting to say.)

Thirty But Seventeen

Second is the scene from Answer Me, 1994 below, which I recently finished. The reflections in both mirrors seem to show a straight road ahead, but the dividers on both sides of the mirror break that myth.

Next on my list to know: how to use mirrors to create unbelievably intriguing images which are beautiful, too. First I’ll have to learn how light travels and how mirrors can alter the path of light. Once I’ve got the basics, I’ll be buying a few mirrors to execute shots in the same way.

Answer Me 1994

I’m also intrigued by symmetrical reflections like in Are You Human Too. This is one of my favorite scenes due to the symmetry. The reflection is used to make an interesting composition out of normal architecture. I always find these images beautiful and interesting at the same time, and a challenge to try and create on my own.

Are You Human Too

Finally, I want to try my hand at shadows. In Mr. Sunshine, the imagery below made a simple walk look magnificent. Shadows also add nuance to a story, as in Forest Of Secrets. To me, the dimness demonstrates how the character is still in the dark about the show’s mystery. This is the next element to tackle on my K-drama trend list.

Mr. Sunshine

These are a few of the many cinematography trends in K-dramas I have seen and I am hoping to discover more of them in the future. The appreciation of beauty in all forms (obviously Oppas included) helps elevate the overall K-drama viewing experience.

Forest of Secrets

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1 bam 🐢🐌💖~

September 20, 2018 at 2:35 PM

@kdramaswimmer!!! Congratulations on getting published! I really enjoyed reading your piece. My mom has always made me hyperaware of the cinematography in movies or shows, so this was a truly special read for me. I hope Kdramas continue to inspire ideas for your photography! Fighting!

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