Coloring is one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in visual storytelling, and the music video in question makes a compelling case for its importance. Hot One by Denzel Curry ft. TiaCorine & FERG presents a unique approach to nighttime scenes—while it's clear that the setting is meant to evoke the night, the coloring suggests otherwise. It’s as if the night has been reimagined through a day-for-night technique, where the scene is filmed in daylight but altered in post-production to appear as night.
However, this video takes a different approach. Rather than fully committing to the darkness, the coloring remains vibrant, almost as if the night is bathed in a surreal, dreamlike light. The result is a visually striking contrast that blurs the lines between day and night. This choice of coloring adds an otherworldly quality to the video, making the setting feel both familiar and alien.
The 4:3 aspect ratio further enhances this sense of nostalgia and experimentation. In an era where widescreen formats dominate, the return of the 4:3 ratio feels like a deliberate throwback to older forms of media. Yet, instead of feeling outdated, it adds a sense of intimacy to the video. The tighter frame draws the viewer's focus, making the colors and compositions even more impactful.
What’s fascinating about this combination of coloring and aspect ratio is how it challenges our expectations. We’re conditioned to see night scenes in a certain way—dark, moody, and shadowy. But this video turns that expectation on its head by keeping the colors bright and the frame compact. It’s a visual puzzle that invites the viewer to look closer, to question what they’re seeing.
The use of color in this video is not just about aesthetics; it’s a storytelling device that conveys a sense of time and place in a unique way. By bending the rules of how night and day are typically depicted, the video creates a world that feels both timeless and fresh. It’s a testament to how powerful coloring can be when used creatively, offering a new perspective on what we might otherwise take for granted.
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