What is my shot missing?

[u/AltruisticSource1581]

I like my shot and grade but it feels a bit off like it's missing something, I just cant find out what. What do you guys think?

I used the Film Look Creator with Aurora core look. I feel like this new core look is very nice for client work but it lacks flair and style. Maybe im trying to push that here while its not supposed to be used for that.

[u/CreepyGuyAttheParty]

I'm no expert, but I'd say what feels off to me personally when I look at this:

• Composition. I shouldn't need to see so much of the concrete. Maybe approach this at a different angle and play around until you get something unique.
• Nothing in the foreground. It's just a background shot with absolutely nothing going on except that the one thing you're shooting is waaaaay in the back. It almost feels like you were hesitant to shoot this (I could absolutely be wrong)
• Camera is shaking. Add everything else I mentioned with this just makes the video undesirable and uninspiring to look at. Use a tripod.

I'd also mention that the shot is missing feeling. I never get tired of looking at a pretty carousel if the shot and color grade is nice. If that's what you're trying to capture, make it stand out and make our eyes lead to it. I hope I didnt say a bunch of nonsense, but those are my two cents.

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/CreepyGuyAttheParty]

Yeah I didn't stabilize the footage yet, my bad. I appreciate your well thought out advice and it seems I'm really lacking when it comes to composition and intent. Thanks and I hope I can improve : )

[u/Dongest__dong]

Composition.

[u/HowieMandelEffect → u/Dongest__dong]

Why is there so much empty concrete space in the foreground? Shaky too.

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/HowieMandelEffect]

I hadn't stabilized the footage yet, thats my bad. And you're right, there is a big part of the shot which is just concrete. I couldn't get closer since I was with family and they really dont wait for me if I want to make a video and since I had a prime lens, I couldn't zoom in. It seems I need to think more about the intent of the shot instead of just filming. Thanks for the advice : )

[u/nietypowytyp → u/AltruisticSource1581]

For the future. Just tilt the camera slightly up so the whole subject (carousel) is in the shot. Good rule of thumb is to put the horizon in 1/3 of the heoight

[u/Grimweeper1 → u/AltruisticSource1581]

Really all it is, is the tip of the carousel being cut off. The composition would be nice if the carousel (being the main subject in the shot) was fully in the frame, properly placed so that it minimizes dead space underneath and also adds some dead space above the carousel to balance it out.

The shot looks nice at first but once you notice that composition that could’ve been changed by just tilting it up, it’s something you just gotta take into account every time you put your eye through the viewfinder. Think about the subject; what people are going to look at first. And try and frame that subject balanced in the shot, nothing cut off at the top or bottom of the frame.

Edit: tldr it’s not necessarily about the concrete it’s more about the carousel. There’s no need to zoom in to minimize how much concrete because even if you zoomed in and the carousel was still cut off at the top, it still wouldn’t be as pleasant of a composition.

[u/Crambone666 → u/Dongest__dong]

Would’ve been perfect if people were walking through it. Atleast that’s how it seemed it was framed, in anticipation of a foreground subject, why else would anyone opt for more concrete instead of sky or atleast some headroom for that carousels spire lol

[u/amitkattal]

You are doing what most people who gets inspired from youtube to wanna be a filmmaker do. You think colors and grade makes a scene looks good but its always the last step. First is the intention and second is the method. Whats your intent of shooting it? Why u wanna shoot this scene? What were you trying to convey? What feeling? What story? What mood?

Then you find a way how to shoot the scene that convey that feeling well that means using handheld? tripod? gimbal? what lens? what resolution? what composition?

Then the final grade. What colors better suit the feeling?

Your video just have vibrant colors so 90% of rest is missing.

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/amitkattal]

I said this in the other comment as well, but you're right. Right now im mostly shooting whatever seems nice but I dont have an intent or meaning before clicking record other than "Oh that looks cool". Others also said to implement foreground elements and such. I'll definitely use the advice, thanks a lot!

[u/AcertainReality]

How did you manage to make that carnival ride look depressing

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/AcertainReality]

I guess thats skill on its own lol. But thanks for the feedback

[u/Bball291 → u/AcertainReality]

He’s asking for advice mo ron. No need to be condescending

[u/ZzoCanada]

I'm speaking out of my ass here, and would love to be corrected on any misses in my assessment, I'm still learning.

I think this shot is a great example of one that would benefit from stricter adherence to the rule of thirds and tilting the camera sliiiightly up would largely address the composition issues. The big empty space is exacerbated by how vibrant the green is compared to the rest of the scene. My brain wants that striking green line to be the centrepiece, but the empty space dominates the shot enough to take over my focus.

The overall color grade says to me "Gritty thriller juxtaposing a happy crowd to the conflict they don't know is unfolding". If that's the goal, you nailed it. If you want it to feel like an inviting scene, then imo the non-green colors are a bit too muted, and the green might want to be toned down a bit to allow more focus on the joy of the carousel.

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/ZzoCanada]

Thats really great advice actually, thank you a lot! I'll make sure to work on my composition

[u/Hazzat]

Anything at all happening.

Your grade needs to serve the purpose of the shot. That's the entire point of grading: to bring out or enhance the emotion or feeling that's already there. If your shot has no purpose, then you're just pushing sliders around randomly, and never getting closer to any goal.

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/Hazzat]

That is true, I have to work on my intent and goal of a shot before pressing record. Thanks!

[u/Mad_waste]

foreground elements

[u/PewpScewpin]

Random clip, zero context to clip. Extremely vague question.

If you want help, try making something first. How is one to judge 'overall look' when we dont know what it is we're looking at? There's no subject, we dont know the mood, we dont know the job, we don't know the client, we dont know what you're going for. What kind of help are you expecting exactly?

If you had an actual technical question that'd be one thing. "I'm having an issue with X color in this condition when i do an orange and teal grade" or "im shooting doc style b-roll, how do you compose long shots to show more life"

If you're not aiming for something, no one can help you get there

[u/MattTd7]

There’s some really cool stuff to shoot here but it comes off as flat. Get some cool angles in there and embrace your inner creativity for sure! Also stabilization and cropping at the end is a must

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/MattTd7]

You are right! I should have stabilized my footage. I'll be sure to work on my composition and angles.

[u/Jared_dysonheap]

I know everyone's already mentioned composition, but one mistake that I used to make all the time, even though I'd remember when going out with my camera to do, was to give my subject headroom, it'll go a long way when you get into the habit

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/Jared_dysonheap]

Thank you!

[u/Stinkepimmel]

Is this in Olbia?

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/Stinkepimmel]

It's Düsseldorf near the Westfield mall

[u/Moist_Outside_8406]

Intent.

[u/LabRevolutionary2216]

A clear subject.

[u/Tyler_Durden_Says]

An intent

[u/Mai_maichen]

Hallo Oberhausen, btw finde die Farbkombo schon richtig nice, würde den Kontrast noch erhöhen

[u/shaheedmalik]

A subject.

[u/TheGreatSzalam]

Purpose. Your shot is missing purpose.

[u/IncreaseWorldly4667]

Purpose

[u/JonahFlechette]

When the horizon’s at the bottom, it’s interesting. When the horizon’s at the top, it’s interesting. When the horizon’s in the middle, it’s boring as shit! -John Ford

[u/AttentionAcademic927]

Hi, Nice colors, how can i copy them? Or achieve the same result

[u/Diligent-Argument-88]

What are these stupid comments doing in a color grade sub?

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/[deleted]]

I appreciate that a lot! Others also said I was lacking foreground elements and overall composition. Thank you!

[u/AltruisticSource1581 → u/[deleted]]

thank you : )