My Top 5 Shots In Every Episode Of TLOU

My Top 5 Shots in Every Episode of TLOU

Episode 1

TW: Guns, creepy imagery

Quick disclaimer that I was not able to find two scenes I wanted for shots in this list. I couldn’t find unedited versions of the scene with the infected child, or Ellie’s introduction, however their are plenty of other amazing shots in this list without them!

Number #5

The Last of Us quite often has very shallow depth of field. That means shots in which the background is out of focus (blurry). It works well for a lot of things, like making really pretty shots or drawing attention to certain things, but in this case it uses it for suspense. Ms. Adler twitching in the background is absolute nightmare fuel, and the way that it was played, with the camera focused on an unaware Sarah the whole time, was so incredibly well done and scary that this shot became one of my favorites of the episode.

Number #4

This one is great on a lot of levels. Not only is it pretty, with the out of focus fire lighting half of Sarah’s face (making the shot prettier with shallow depth of field), but the color scheme absolutely rocks too. But I think my favorite thing about this shot is the emotion it portrays without saying a word. Props to Nico Parker, because the tone of the visuals and her devastated expression really show the toll the apocalypse is taking on Sarah.

Number #3

This shot is a masterclass in “show don’t tell”. With just this image, we instantly know exactly what type of place our protagonists are living in. Dirty streets, snipers on roofs, lack of freedom or happiness. Somehow this one shots delivers paragraphs of exposition, and does it so well and good-looking that it’s not only bearable, but excellent.

Number #2

Another example of how well this show uses depth of field, this shot works on so many levels, and also just looks absolutely awesome. The contrasting colors of the oranges and browns of the set vs. the blues and grays of the screen is so striking, and I have just always been an absolute sucker for shots of shots, and this is one of the best executed ones I’ve ever seen.

Before I reveal my #1, here are some honorable mentions…

This shot is simply fantastic. The explosion, the people, the view through the car window, it all just works absolutely so well.

Another excellent example of visual world building, showing the tanks driving through the streets. The ultra-high camera angle also looks fantastic, and the way they used the rooftops and textures is just incredible.

Two really gorgeous, well-lit shots of Sarah.

Just like the entire show, this is a really well lite scene, and the way it uses depth of field is so well-done and pretty. Also the high 3/4 angle is fantastic, and don’t even get me started on the eery, creepy tentacles.

Number #1

This is just an I incredible shot all around. The side profiles and rim-lighting for Joel and Sarah, the out of focus explosion centered in the background. It’s so well executed, and you can feel the emotion, the fear, coming through the screen. Bravo!

Tune in for ep 2 tmrw!

22 for the ask game !

22: Describe your writing process from start to finish

Sit down. Stare at screen. Scream.

Or sometimes if I’m lucky…

Sit down. Stare at screen. Scream. Write a sentence.

(Thanks for the ask! You rock, Logan!!)

My Top 5 Shots From Every Ep of TLOU

Episode 5

TW: Gore

Number #5

An absolutely gorgeous one that really shows off the tenderness of this scene through the warm lighting and intimate feel. Ellie silhouetted in the lamp light is beautiful, and centering of her between the two beds is really great.

Number #4

An absolutely amazing shot from the ‘Kansas City Freed’ sequence. The shallow depth of field, making the crown out of focus, looks incredible. And the blue and yellow lighting works so well.

Number #3

Not only is this just a gorgeous shot, but the symbolism is absolutely stunning. This is right after Henry paints the mask onto Sam’s face, and seeing the way that it’s reflected back onto him, since he’s Sam’s hero, is just so brilliant and fantastic.

Number #2

I mean, what can I say? I am an absolute sucker for shots in which there’s out of focus danger in the background. But this one is amazing on so many other levels, too. The lighting from the fire looks incredible, and the shallow depth of field, showing the flames and lights in the background through the dirty windows, is just fantastic. All that mixed with the intensity of this shot make it just absolutely incredible.

Before I reveal my #1, here are some honorable mentions…

TLOU ultra-wide shots never miss, and this is no exception. I love off-centering of Ellie and Joel, and the way they’re framed by the streetlights. It just looks amazing!

This shot is so intimidating. The chains in front, something they’ll use more of in episode 8, and the dim, dreary vibe of the room really make this feel gritty and dirty in such a fantastic way. I just can’t get enough!

Just an absolutely gorgeous shot. I love the different colored lights and the way they reflect off the metal in the hallway.

Just an absolutely bangin’ landscape shot.

I just love the use of focus in this show, and the way that it helps give this scene a very melancholy, introspective tone by making Joel alone, even when there’s someone with him.

Number #1

MY BOYYYYYYYYYYY. MY BABY BOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.

Tune in for ep 6 tmrw!

before we get an official announcement on who is replacing biden as the nominee, im just going to put this out there: do not mess this up. i don't care how little you like politics. i don't care if this new nominee isn't your first choice.

our alternative is trump. third party splits the votes, and abstaining is just going to fuck the entire united states over. your vote (AND support) matters, and i better see anyone who doesn't want trump to be elected and the United States to become a fascist, authoritarian regime throwing their full support behind this new nominee.

we have three months to go. we're in crunch time. if you don't want to lose your rights, support this new nominee with everything you've got.

edit: just in case this somehow wasn't obvious, this is NOT the post to be a pessimist on. don't say we're fucked. say TRUMP is fucked. we can't go back and change the nomination timeline, but we can absolutely support our new nominee and ensure they get elected.

My Top 5 Shots in Every Episode of TLOU

Episode 4

TW: Guns

Number #5

I mean what to even say with this ridiculously strong start? I love the shallow depth of field, the reds, black, and browns, and the off center framing. It’s just really great looking.

Number #4

Have I mentioned how much I love the shallow depth of field shots In this show? I have? Well too bad. I’m talking about them again. THEY JUST LOOK SO GOOD!! Also I love the rim-lighting and the flared light in the background. They all just come together absolutely beautifully.

Number #3

A pretty iconic shot, and for good reason. It’s one of my favorite landscape shots in the show. The sight of the overgrown bridge and the sunken boats is just incredible and haunting. Fantastic.

Number #2

Have I mentioned the shallow depth— But other than that, I also just love the lighting and shadows. The emotion of the shot is great, too, Bella’s expression from shooting the raider is just so oof. Everything about this shot is just fantastic.

Before I reveal my #1, here are some honorable mentions…

This one’s just absolutely badass. The colors, the exhaust, the spray paint, it just rocks!

I love the greens here, and have I mentioned how much I love the shallo—

Amazing lighting here. I love the beams shining through the shrubbery and onto Ellie, and the composition with her just off center is so good.

Three absolutely amazing and gorgeous landscape shots!

Number #1

Hey, did someone say shal— The symbolism of this shot what makes it so incredible to me. The skeleton in contrast to Joel, the way they’re facing each other, the way they’re similar, how it’s in the same seat of the car he’d been in all episode, because Joel stills feels dead. Because this episode is the turning point, when he starts to come back to life because of Ellie… god, it’s just about fantastic. It’s just so fucking good.

Tune in for ep 5 tmrw!

HOLY FUCK HOLY SHIT THIS IS NOT A DRILL OH MY FUCKING GOD THIS IS GONNA BE INCREDIBLE I AM GOING TO DIE I LOVE YOU CRAIG I LOVE YOU PEDRO I LOVE YOU BELLA I LOVE YOU NEW CAST MEMBERS I LOVE YOU THE LAST OF US

New look at TLOU S2