5 Movies Every Photographer Should Watch

By Author: SSP Pune
Total Articles: 8
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The art of photography interests only a selected bunch of people. It is no surprise that photographers instantly get attracted to the world of film-making. The ability to transition a still image into a moving image, and telling a story through it is breathtaking. Thank god for the cinema!

Cinematography and photography go hand in hand. Cinematography would be a lost cause without photography. On the other hand, photographers can learn a lot and improve at the same time by watching and noting down the work of filmmakers and cinematographers. The transition of frames, the use of pictures to make the scenery look beautiful and various other aspects are some of the things photographers can look out for.

There a bunch of movies to make those observations. To help you start, here are 5 movies every aspiring photographer should watch while completing the course of BA in photography in India.

1. Pecker (1998)

A must watch for all aspiring photographers, Pecker is a teenager who is obsessed with photography and clicks anything that he finds remotely interesting. He sees art in uninteresting places. The movie ...
... shows his journey from an average photographer to being successful in his craft. A commercial failure at the time, Pecker later developed a massive cult following, thanks to its intricate details about photography and capturing New York beautifully.

2. The Public Eye (1992)

Based on the New York Daily News photographer Arthur "Weegee" Fellig, The Public eye is neo-noir starring Joe Pesci (from Home Alone), who plays the photographer. Fellig was very popular for his work in black and white photography, as well as street photography. This movie is indeed an enriching experience.

3. Blow Up (1966)

A thriller revolving around the murder mystery plot, Blow Up follows the story of photographer Thomas (David Hemmings), who shockingly finds out that he has discovered the murder, upon enlarging the prints that he clicked in a park. The essence of photography has been beautifully captured in this film and is a must watch for all aspiring photographers.

4. One Hour Photo (2002)

An American psychological thriller film starring the late Robin Williams, One Hour Photo is about a man who has completely mastered all aspects of photography. He has his own photo studio and has developed an obsession for a particular family who is a regular in his studio. The movie shows various processes that undergo in making a photograph. A film that you will enjoy and learn something from at the same time.

5. Manufactured landscapes (2006)

This is a feature-length documentary about the work of photographer Edward Burtynsky. It captures the lives of the workers in the industrial landscapes of China, where amongst all the struggle, they still find ways to have joy in their lives. The documentary also captures the rising gap between the rich and the poor. The cinematography of this documentary is top notch.

There are a lot of other movies out there but this a short list you can start with. All of them are of the same theme but different genres. If the list inspires you to take photography as your career, do check out the best photography colleges in India, where you can enroll yourselves and get the best possible education.