Here, we see Witwer gazing at the 3 precogs in their pool while seeing the future. The first thing I notice is that his face is in the middle of the grid and it's completely illuminated by the reflection of the pool coming from the left side of the grid. The other thing I noticed is that the precogs are clearly outlined and they're much more dark than Witwer even though they are in the pool. On the 4 corners, the top left and bottom right are darker than the top right and bottom left which are a bit lighter. That could've been a way to contrast the image, or put that pool in that certain pattern and shape.
The Focus here is on Witwer's face and the precogs are out of focus and in the background. The emotion on his face shows that he could be worried or scared for the precogs based on their living environment, or he could be fascinated with them. I think that's what Spielberg wants us to see, and that could be why he's focused, illuminated, and in the middle of the grid. Also, they way the precogs are placed in the pool, in a sort of triangle, leaves space in the middle for Witwer's face. This aspect outlines it even more
This would be considered a medium close up shot with a reflection in the background. The shot gives us an idea of what type of a person Witwer is. He's wearing a suit and tie with his hair greased, so we know that he's some sort of a high-class business man.
Nice comments on the depth of focus in this shot, Carrie. Witwer clearly is the focus and we see that with the shallow focus of the camera work here.
ReplyDeleteHere's a suggestion: do you see any interesting circular imagery in this image? In a sense, Witwer's head is centered and the precogs surround it in almost a clock-like fashion.
I like your analysis of the precogs framing Witwer's face in the frame. He kind of blends into the pool, too, integrating him with the precogs even more. I wonder if you saw the edges of the pool as also framing Witwer's face?
ReplyDeletePretty much all of your analysis on this picture is spot-on. I think what else could be added on this is the meaning behind all the technicalities and all the physical aspects of this shot. Why shoot his reflection so clearly while only seeing the silhouettes of the Pre-Cogs?
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