Visual Storytelling - T. Benjamin Larsen's Blog

Resolution Schmesolution

Why image quality in films doesn't really matter

Okay, that last sentence is a lie, but it got your attention didn't it? But while image quality does matter I am convinced that resolution and general image-quality is among the least important aspects of storytelling. The information the images contain and the look (composition, colours, lighting, etc.) is however vital if you want to succeed in telling your story.

To some of you the mere idea that resolution is unimportant is bordering on blasphemy. If you spend a large chunk of your money on home-theatre equipment and an equally large part of your time fine tuning the equipment you're probably fuming at these preposterous lies! And I understand. Really, I do. I own a Laserdisc Player for Pete's sake! I too prefer to watch films displayed in the best technical quality possible, but I've also found that good films work fine even when presented in more meager ways. If not, how did television ever succeed? It has never been able to compete with the vivid imagery found in the cinema.

Lo-fi Success Story

I recall watching badly made 3rd. generation VHS-copies of films like Aliens and Robocop without feeling any detraction from the enjoyment*. A more up to date example would be the incredible success of YouTube or some of the dodgy pirate-copies of films on miscellaneous torrent sites. Admittedly most people might wait for a higher quality version but only because it'll come along shortly. For the most eagerly awaited titles the fans seem to take whatever they can get. Surely, if image quality was really that important no one would bother with these low-quality options at all?

Sing, Sing, Sing

I am of course singing the age-old "story, story, story"-chorus: If the story is strong enough and it is told with the right use of visuals most viewers will soon forget the technical quality. This is something worth keeping in mind in an age when everyone is trying to sell us the latest Real-HD-1080p-BlueLaser-X-Camstation-3000-Videoplayer. Even more importantly than the consideration for our wallets: It is something for those of us dabbling with visual storytelling to be mindful of. By all means - get the best quality imagery you can, but don't let a few missing pixels prevent you from telling your story...

*Don't worry Hollywood I bought both on VHS and DVD later on.

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