Alfred Hitchcok is one of my favorite directors. He had an amazing eye for cinema. One thing that I find consistent with his films is the emphasis on fantastic cinematography. Hitchcock always seems to use cinematography in a specific technique, one which unfolds the narrative with suspense and intrigue. He is able to implement various camera placements, camera angles, camera focal lengths, and tracking shots with artful grace. The reason he puts such a large amount of importance on the camera is because he understands that it is the tool through which the plot unfolds. In so many of his films suspense plays a big role in setting the mood, yet that is often created in silence or soft music. Hitchcock enjoys using the camera to show different angles on a scene, symbolic props, character reactions, and character blocking. These techniques allow him to unfold important plot movements and actions with nonverbal representation. This is how Hitchcock is able to suck in an audience's attention; he can focus our minds on image and its symbolic representation, without simply describing danger or threat with words.
In the film Rear Window, the male protagonist is stuck inside his home directly across from all the action. There is only dialogue while L.B. Jeffries is with his girlfriend or physical therapist, much of the spying he does is alone. While alone there is very little dialogue, this is what builds up suspense, threat, and danger.
Psycho is another film that utilizes cinematography to reveal danger and the possibility of murder. This is why, as a director, Alfred Hitchcock is a brilliant director and his movies all have a similar feeling. One can tell when they are watching a Hitchcock film by the mood, the use of camera, and the cameos. That is a true auteur.
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