exercise: images with depth

Thinking specifically about the sense of depth within the image, try to produce three
images that each represent one of the following atmospheres:
• Dynamic/exciting /adventurous
• Oppressive/dull/stifling
• Complicated/confusing/uncomfortable
• Refined/mature/reasonable

Complicated/Confusing/Uncomfortable 


I first took this video thinking of dullness, and was trying to get an image plain in colour, and compare it with the second shot, where I have included a tone of blue. Then I realised that the dull image needed not only to be dull, but also stifling and oppressive, which this is not... So I decided to use it to express a more deep emotional, wordiness, complicated feeling.
I think that, in context, this could be use to express this. Would really work well a hard light, creating deep shadows.
In terms of depth, the first image looks plainer than the second one, and yet the blue works OK with the mood in the image, as everything is grey/blue.

Dynamic/Exciting/Adventurous


I chose these three shots for the dynamic/exciting/adventurous subject. I thought that the sunset light would work really good with this theme, with its warm colour and soft quality, creating very soft shadings, and I think it has worked OK.
To create depth I have positioned the camera behind some people who was closer in the first two shots, so I am creating obvious depth with big elements in the foreground. I have also increased the focal length, so the distant objects are unfocused.
Wandering around with the bicycle then I found this kayaking competition. The sun was already pretty low, so the lighting of the scene is pretty poor, and I don't think this works OK with the theme, but in terms of depth it had a good use, as the warmer colour of the foreground light created depth with the shadowed area in the foreground. Depth is also created by the created perspective of the landscape and people (people in the front, and in the background building).
Action and dynamism, though, is mainly created by the subject matter and not by the shoot.

Oppressive/Dull/Stifling


My first go with this video was a shot of myself with a pile of clothes on the couch, and the light set up very low, lighting me from one side at 90deg.
The problem with that shot was that due to the light coming from the opposite side than the pile of clothes, it was difficult to see the pile, therefore you couldn't appreciate any oppressiveness. Also the depth was not very significant. On a second try of this approach, I shot from behind a bookshelf, so the same subject was framed by the furniture, giving the idea of a more closed and stifling space, and including the (required) element of depth into the equation. This didn't work either as you could not really see the messiness from the angle I shot.
Finally, I decided to go for the video above, where Juan is giving a kind of speech (he was actually moaning about having to help me with my homework). The depth has been created with illumination, as I have illuminated the shelves behind from above, in a dark space. The oppressive feeling has been created with the lighting on the actor - from below, and generating hard shadows - and also with the low camera angle.