ABSTRACT
Before exploring visual effects we need to lay down some of the fundamentals of image making. Cinematography tells a silent story through the framing and lighting of the subject. A visual effects cameraperson must first understand and practice the techniques of standard cinematography before engaging in more exotic methods. The best visual effect is one that invisibly enhances an image that has been painstakingly created by the Director of Photography and his or her crew, so it is important to understand cinematography from its inception. What follows is an elementary examination of two key elements that are used to create the image.
