The Debate Over Dark Cinematography: Why Fans Are Fed Up with Game of Thrones' Lighting Choices

The world of cinema and television has been embroiled in a heated debate over the use of dark cinematography, and nowhere is this more evident than in the comparison between the lighting choices of "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones." A recent viral image featuring commentary from Twitter and Tumblr has reignited this controversy, capturing the frustrations of viewers and sparking lively discussions online.

The image begins with a tweet from Caitie Delaney, shared by "funnytweetstweets," pleading with filmmakers: "A note to filmmakers, please do not make your movies so dark that I have to see the terrible expressionless reflection of my big dumb head in the screen for half of it." This tweet has garnered significant engagement, with 67 retweets, 3 quote tweets, and 1,462 likes, highlighting a widespread frustration among audiences.

The next section of the image offers a stark comparison between the lighting of "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones." In the "Lord of the Rings" scene, Legolas is depicted holding a bow during a nighttime rainstorm, yet the scene remains well-lit, allowing viewers to appreciate the details. In contrast, the "Game of Thrones" scene is almost entirely dark, making it challenging to discern any details.

Tumblr users chimed in with their thoughts, including "birdyyyyyy-deactivated20210721," who dismissively remarked, "But where's that light coming from? B**** IT'S FANTASY WHO CARES." This comment underscores the divide between those who prioritize artistic realism and those who value visual clarity.

User "mornington-the-crescent" added a humorous touch with images of a character set against burning fires, accompanied by the text: "but news flash the genre's called fantasy it's meant to be unrealistic you myopic manatee." This comment humorously defends the fantastical nature of such genres while acknowledging the need for visual coherence.

The image further includes insightful commentary from "the-tin-dog," who elaborates on the concept of "willful suspension of disbelief." They explain, "Ok but also from a like, theatrical storytelling perspective, there's a thing called 'willful suspension of disbelief' which is basically the concept that in order to let ourselves be immersed and enjoy a story, we need to turn off our knowledge that it's all fake anyway. Like yes, we all 'know' it's unrealistically bright for a nighttime war, but it needs to be so we can SEE the story being told, and the lighting designer used blue light to show it was night time. We KNOW that Sir Ian isn't actually a wizard but we SUSPEND that DISBELIEF because we want to be entertained."

This ongoing debate highlights the tension between artistic choices and audience satisfaction. While some viewers appreciate the mood and atmosphere created by darker scenes, others are frustrated by the difficulty in seeing details and following the storyline. The balance between maintaining artistic integrity and ensuring viewer enjoyment remains a challenge for filmmakers.

The viral image and its accompanying commentary encapsulate the growing discontent among audiences regarding overly dark cinematography. As viewers continue to voice their opinions, it remains to be seen whether filmmakers will adjust their lighting choices to strike a better balance between artistic vision and audience accessibility.