Information Package / Course Catalogue
Cinematography
Course Code: RTS323
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The objective of this course is to provide students with the fundamental principles and techniques of visual storytelling in cinema and digital video production. Throughout the course, students will theoretically comprehend and practically experience core cinematographic elements, including camera technologies, lens selection, rules of composition, and lighting design within a set environment. By the end of the course, students are expected to acquire the essential competencies to translate a script into a visual language and effectively lead a camera crew.

Course Content

This course begins with the historical development and fundamental aesthetic rules of cinematography. The curriculum covers the operational mechanisms of cameras, the exposure triangle (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed), depth of field, and the dramatic effects of various lenses. In practical studio sessions, students will work on indoor and outdoor lighting techniques (three-point lighting system, hard and soft light), camera movements (pan, tilt, dolly, steadicam), and framing design. Throughout the semester, students will put their technical and artistic skills into practice through short applied projects and hands-on set simulations.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To analyze the fundamental theoretical concepts of cinematography, exposure, and the operational principles of optical systems to ensure technical accuracy.
2.To design and translate aesthetic rules of visual storytelling, compositional principles, and camera angles into frames in accordance with the narrative goal of a script.
3.To assemble, calibrate, and operate camera, lighting, and auxiliary mechanical motion systems on set in compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
4.To transform and produce an original concept or narrative into a cinematographic project by integrally utilizing lighting design, atmospheric creation, color science, and motivated camera movements.
5.To plan and manage digital cinematography workflows from pre-production through post-production by assuming professional responsibilities within a film crew hierarchy.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Brown, Blain. (2021). Cinematography: Theory and Practice: For Cinematographers and Directors (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429353239
2.Alton, J. (2013). Painting with Light. University of California Press.
3.Box, H. C. (2020). Set Lighting Technician's Handbook: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution (5th ed.). Routledge.
4.Mercado, G. (2010). The Filmmaker's Eye: Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition. Focal Press.
5.Wheeler, P. (2001). Digital Cinematography. Routledge.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical & Practice
Examination of the Director of Photography’s (DoP) artistic and administrative responsibilities, alongside set hierarchy; formal analysis of framing and composition in historically significant films.
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
Theoretical overview of digital sensors, resolution standards, aspect ratios, and video codecs; practical studio sessions on assembling and disassembling industry-standard camera bodies and support systems (tripods, rigs).
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Analyzing the mathematical and aesthetic balance of the exposure triangle (Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO); practical exercises in calibrated manual exposure determination under fluctuating studio lighting conditions.
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
Comparative study of prime vs. zoom lenses, wide-angle, and telephoto optics; testing the critical effects of focal length on depth of field, spatial compression, and human facial morphology.
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Geometric foundations of the rule of thirds, golden ratio, headroom, lead room, and camera angles; practical application of composition techniques to evoke specific narrative emotions (e.g., isolation, claustrophobia).
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Psychological functions and narrative dimensions of pan, tilt, boom, dolly, and handheld camera techniques; execution of controlled camera movements and dynamic tracking shots using tripods and shoulder rigs.
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Analyzing the direction, quality (hard vs. soft light), color temperature (Kelvin scale), and white balance correlations; manipulation of natural and artificial light sources using reflectors, diffusers, and flags on set.
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Balancing the operational ratios of Key, Fill, and Backlight sources; designing and executing professional lighting schemes for corporate interviews and narrative dialogue scenes. Midterm
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
The theoretical framework of the 180-degree rule, eyeline continuity, and matching shot sizes; capturing a short narrative scene to analyze strict spatial continuity and calculated subversions of classical rules.
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Visual syntax and contrast ratios distinctive to Drama, Thriller (low-key), and Comedy (high-key) genres; rendering an authentic genre atmosphere from scratch in the studio using precise shadow and contrast controls.
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Strategies for shooting under uncontrolled solar lighting, Golden Hour scheduling, and the deployment of Neutral Density (ND) filters; controlling high-contrast daylight utilizing diffusion tents and bounce boards on campus locations.
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Mechanical principles of electronic stabilization systems (gimbals) and dolly track installations; executing complex tracking movements integrated with real-time manual focus pulling protocols.
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Understanding LOG profiles, dynamic range, and preparation steps for color grading; importing raw/LOG production data into post-production suites to perform primary color corrections and luma adjustments.
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Collective screening of final short cinematographic projects representing the technical, aesthetic, and managerial competencies acquired throughout the semester; rigorous peer and instructor critique of technical execution and set workflow.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures5%5
Assignment2%20
Midterm Examination1%15
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Lecture - Practice140228
Assignment210122
Midterm Examination110111
Final Examination130131
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)120
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
OÇ-1
4
5
3
4
OÇ-2
5
4
5
5
OÇ-3
3
5
3
3
5
OÇ-4
4
5
5
4
4
5
5
4
OÇ-5
5
3
4
3
4
3
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026