Basic Photography Course

Figure 13-13.Subject crossing the action axis.

When the camera is positioned on the same side of

the action axis each time it is moved for a series of shots,
the screen direction remains the same throughout the
series. The relationship between the camera and subject
movement or action axis remains the same if the camera
does not cross the action axis. Once established, screen
direction can be maintained by keeping the camera on
the same side of the action axis.

When constant screen direction cannot be

maintained, any change in direction MUST be visually

explained to the audience. Constant screen direction
changes can be explained in the following ways:

Show the moving subject actually changing

direction. This is the most effective way to change

screen direction because the audience sees the subject

change direction and there is no doubt in their minds
how it took place.

Film the moving subject crossing the action axis

on a corner or curve. This permits the subject to exit the

frame on the "wrong side," thus changing screen
direction (fig. 13-13).

Use a reaction closeup shot of an observer

viewing the movement in the new direction. A reaction
close-up serves as a neutral shot and distracts the
audience, so the change in screen direction can take
place. A reaction close-up, in this situation, could be a
close-up of an observer's head turning to follow the
movement of the previous scene. The head of the
observer should turn as though the action is taking place
behind the camera, thus putting the camera between the
action and the observer.

Contrasting Screen Direction

Contrasting screen direction is used to show subject

movement in opposite directions. This can be shown
by a subject moving toward a distant destination and
then returning to the starting place. An example would

be a sailor who leaves the ship and walks in a left to
right screen direction to town. Therefore, the
ship-to-town direction is established as left to right.
Movement of the sailor to the right is toward the town

and movement to the left is toward the ship. The
viewer will associate the sailor's walking in a right to

left screen direction as returning to the ship. Once the
direction of travel is established, you must maintain
it.

Contrasting screen direction is also used to show

opposing subjects moving toward each other. An

example would be two warships that are headed into
battle. The first ship is shown steaming from left to right,
and the second ship is shown steaming from right to left.
This pattern gives viewers the impression that the ships
are closing the distance between them and will soon
meet.

Static Screen Direction

Static screen direction refers to the direction that

subjects look or face. Screen direction must be
established and maintained even when the subject does

not move about within the scene. The direction in which

the subject looks should match throughout a series of
consecutive shots. The direction the subject faces can be
different from the direction that the subject looks;
therefore, the static screen direction is the direction in

which the subject is looking. To maintain static screen

13-19

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Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> Figure 13-13.Subject crossing the action axis. When the camera is positioned on the same side of the action axis each time it is moved for a series of shots, the screen direction remains the same throughout the series. The relationship between the camera and subject movement or action axis remains the same if the camera does not cross the action axis. Once established, screen direction can be maintained by keeping the camera on the same side of the action axis. When constant screen direction cannot be maintained, any change in direction MUST be visually explained to the audience. Constant screen direction changes can be explained in the following ways: Show the moving subject actually changing direction. This is the most effective way to change screen direction because the audience sees the subject change direction and there is no doubt in their minds how it took place. Film the moving subject crossing the action axis on a corner or curve. This permits the subject to exit the frame on the "wrong side," thus changing screen direction (fig. 13-13). Use a reaction closeup shot of an observer viewing the movement in the new direction. A reaction close-up serves as a neutral shot and distracts the audience, so the change in screen direction can take place. A reaction close-up, in this situation, could be a close-up of an observer's head turning to follow the movement of the previous scene. The head of the observer should turn as though the action is taking place behind the camera, thus putting the camera between the action and the observer. Contrasting Screen Direction Contrasting screen direction is used to show subject movement in opposite directions. This can be shown by a subject moving toward a distant destination and then returning to the starting place. An example would be a sailor who leaves the ship and walks in a left to right screen direction to town. Therefore, the ship-to-town direction is established as left to right. Movement of the sailor to the right is toward the town and movement to the left is toward the ship. The viewer will associate the sailor's walking in a right to left screen direction as returning to the ship. Once the direction of travel is established, you must maintain it. Contrasting screen direction is also used to show opposing subjects moving toward each other. An example would be two warships that are headed into battle. The first ship is shown steaming from left to right, and the second ship is shown steaming from right to left. This pattern gives viewers the impression that the ships are closing the distance between them and will soon meet. Static Screen Direction Static screen direction refers to the direction that subjects look or face. Screen direction must be established and maintained even when the subject does not move about within the scene. The direction in which the subject looks should match throughout a series of consecutive shots. The direction the subject faces can be different from the direction that the subject looks; therefore, the static screen direction is the direction in which the subject is looking. To maintain static screen 13-19 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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