this is much better cinematography: some kind of cinema noir, bohemia rapsodia, sin city, hitchcock...

https://www.google.com.br/search?q=cinema+shadow+silhouette&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tUghVfCVNsnlsAWTj4HIAw&ved=0CCAQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=981#imgdii=_

what a great dynamic range!!!

For some reason I thought apefos was retiring... quitting... leaving....

• http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/11573/saying-goodbye...-apefos-is-retiring/p1

Or was that just a passive-aggresive play at getting people to feel sorry for you? "I'm leaving now. Nobody try to stop me. I'm going home. Cuz nobody recognizes how awesome I am."

Now, lest anyone think I'm just being a hater, here. I've actually done the minimalist approach, and am not afraid to post examples. Proved it. Walked the walk.

Shot with a Cowboy Studios (piece of shit) handheld rig http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B0036NMQ7S/ref=sr_1_22?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1428298068&sr=1-22&keywords=cowboystudio

No cage, no matte box, Garage sale Nikon lenses, and panasonic pancake lens, 2 lights MAX, sometimes NO lights, and nothing else except my talent.... And nominated for "Rock Video of the Year"

with description of the approach.

Step up or shut up, son.

speechless.. better go back to the cave where my poor life belongs.

Nominated by a, relatively, small time magazine. LOL.

@endotoxic Many, many people have a passion for photography and videography. It's an alluring artform that attracts a lot of us, but not everyone who picks up a camera is talented. Statistically speaking a very small percentage of people have any talent for it at all. As a result the talent pool is becoming increasingly diluted by untalented individuals trying to pass themselves off as someone whom we must give our attentions to. Why? Because they poured so much of themselves and their time into it. Not because it's any good. Yet, many who are compelled to create possess the the ability to assess the true quality of their efforts and continue to create and explore and learn because it makes them happy. I applaud them and encourage them becuase the quest to make better images is never ending and it's fun.

I don't see them posting self-aggrandizing "I'm retiring cuz no one recognizes my genius" posts and then hang around to see if anyone will love them now that they've made sure everyone is aware that their feelings have been hurt, and that their talent and hard work have not been duly recognized.

I didn't wake up yesterday and go looking for a fight. But this asshole is part of the problem. I've known dipshits like him my whole life. And they need to be called out. Apefos doesn't know he sucks. A good friend of mine is fond of saying, "If you thought of your self as intelligent, but really weren't, how would you know?" Stupid people don't know they're stupid, and stupid untalented people don't know they're untalented.

Intelligent untalented people know they're untalented - I for instance love the art of drawing. I'm passionate about it. Can't draw for shit. As much as I would love to be great at it. I suck, and I know it. So you don't find me posting my artwork online, demanding that my "art" be taken seriously, and then getting upset that no one recognizes how hard I've worked at learning to draw. Why? Cuz I'm smart enough to know it sucks. I have ZERO talent for it.

Calm down here.

@shian

Especially it concerns you.

No attacks here.

well, Shian just lost my sympathy...

Shian doesn't need your sympathy... Apefos does.

It's kinda funny. I'm not in the upper echelon of my field in Cinematography... not yet anyway. But I rub shoulders with some of those guys, and some of them peep in here now and then, and they all tell me pretty much the same thing. (Well, some of them tell me I'm a fucking ass, but we all knew that, right?) but the others offer gratitude mixed with incredulity. "You say what we're all thinking, but can't say cuz of how it will look. But thanks for saying it." Cuz clearly I really don't give a fuck. Like me, hate me. Fuck it. It's all just entertainment to me. But don't try to pass yourself off as an artist when you don't have any talent. It's insulting to actual artists.

@shian Inflated self esteem and lack of humility are hallmarks of a fool. People who keep working at their craft will inevitably reach a higher level of skill; no point in slagging people off at their current level of craftsmanship.

Cinematography is not a skill, It's a talent - which is kind of my point. Threads like this are nonsense. Apefos has no demonstrable talent. He didn't post any of his minimalist videos, cuz they all suck. And my main point was, talented insightful people who believe in themselves don't make passive-aggressive bullshit posts like this:

http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/11573/saying-goodbye...-apefos-is-retiring/p1 read the initial post of this linked thread and you'll understand where my vitriol is coming from.

With regard to talent, I'm referring to the instinctual ability to transform technique into more than the some of it’s parts. In other words, every art student in the world learns all the same techniques and theories about drawing, painting, sculpting, etc. But only a few have actual talent and can then employ those techniques in such a way that make the rest of us stand in awe.

As for my arrogance: in my experience the individuals that hold me as arrogant and egotistical and dislike me for it, are those I've made feel stupid by pointing out their lack of talent. There's not one person I respect who openly or privately dislikes me for my arrogance.... not one. These individuals find my arrogance charming. And take it for what it is - comedy. These of course are individuals with whom I share a mutual respect.

@shian

You have some interesting points, just drop all this attacks on specific member.

Main point being that you need talent. Under talent you understand some genetic predisposition that you can't compensate by education or anything else.

From scientific point of view only brain construction differences can provide that you call "talent". And indeed, local difference can be large. And yes, some people can do some things with ease that are very hard to do for other people. And many of this differences come not from genes, but from very complex brain construction process (and it can be influenced by many things). Yet...

Problem is, that it is only potential. With low probability. With all other thing exactly same, such people can have advantage, sometimes big. Sad thing is - other things are usually very different. Most of such extraordinary talents (as you call it) now work at factories, died in their 20s in the drunk fights, sit at home waiting for their food subsidy, etc.

It is not secret that cinema is very interconnected business. Many people are actors for generations, all know each other. Many other people are usually in the industry since their childhood. And it is also scientifically understandable. This guys are learning their skill all their life, many - since they are born. May be some are not so talented (as you put it), but they compensate by hard work and learning. And brain is so interesting thing that possible genius that is doing nothing always do inferior to hard working average. Potential is not equal to actual thing.

With 10,000 hours practice Malcolm Gladwell says we'll all be good cinematographers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outliers_%28book%29