'Game of Thrones' cinematographer defends the show's lighting after viewers complain

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By VT

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There were a lot of stand-out moments from last week's episode of Game of Thrones; the Dothraki being plunged into darkness by the army of the dead on the battlefield, little Lyanna Mormont's truly heroic death, and, of course, Arya's destruction of the Night King.

However, while these scenes all had fans talking for the right reasons, there was one feature of the episode which came under fire from viewers the world over: its lighting.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/RavenProj/status/1122756788502163456]]

In fact, the episode was so dark that entertainment websites began to issue guidelines for people so that they could alter the settings of their devices to get the best possible viewing experience.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/noradominick/status/1122675766888665088]]

Now, the cinematographer of the episode, Fabian Wagner, has spoken out in defense of how dark it was.

At this point, it's worth noting that he was also the man behind other notable episodes including the 'Hardhome' and 'Battle of the Bastards'.

Speaking to TMZ about the lighting in episode three, 'The Long Night', he said that the show has always been very cinematic and as a result, just like a real movie, it was never designed to be viewed on a phone or a tablet screen - or even in daylight.

Instead, Wagner recommended that viewers watch it in a dark room with the recommended settings.

Daenerys and Jorah on the battlefield.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: HBO]]

"I know it wasn't too dark because I shot it," he said.

He's not the only person to speak out in defense of how dark the episode was, either. So too did Robert McLachlan, who has worked on the cinematography of eight Game of Thrones episodes. In an interview with INSIDER, he said that the episode was dark because it was designed to be "as naturalistic as possible."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/efrancie13/status/1122690201988550663]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/manieldad/status/1122687353129250817]]

He explained that the makers wanted "to make these sets and locations feel as if they're absolutely not lit by us, but only by Mother Nature or some candles," he said, "so that it feels more naturalistic, albeit enhanced in some cases."

Fair enough. Not that this came across well to fans though, it must be said.

'Game of Thrones' cinematographer defends the show's lighting after viewers complain

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

There were a lot of stand-out moments from last week's episode of Game of Thrones; the Dothraki being plunged into darkness by the army of the dead on the battlefield, little Lyanna Mormont's truly heroic death, and, of course, Arya's destruction of the Night King.

However, while these scenes all had fans talking for the right reasons, there was one feature of the episode which came under fire from viewers the world over: its lighting.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/RavenProj/status/1122756788502163456]]

In fact, the episode was so dark that entertainment websites began to issue guidelines for people so that they could alter the settings of their devices to get the best possible viewing experience.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/noradominick/status/1122675766888665088]]

Now, the cinematographer of the episode, Fabian Wagner, has spoken out in defense of how dark it was.

At this point, it's worth noting that he was also the man behind other notable episodes including the 'Hardhome' and 'Battle of the Bastards'.

Speaking to TMZ about the lighting in episode three, 'The Long Night', he said that the show has always been very cinematic and as a result, just like a real movie, it was never designed to be viewed on a phone or a tablet screen - or even in daylight.

Instead, Wagner recommended that viewers watch it in a dark room with the recommended settings.

Daenerys and Jorah on the battlefield.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: HBO]]

"I know it wasn't too dark because I shot it," he said.

He's not the only person to speak out in defense of how dark the episode was, either. So too did Robert McLachlan, who has worked on the cinematography of eight Game of Thrones episodes. In an interview with INSIDER, he said that the episode was dark because it was designed to be "as naturalistic as possible."

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/efrancie13/status/1122690201988550663]]
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/manieldad/status/1122687353129250817]]

He explained that the makers wanted "to make these sets and locations feel as if they're absolutely not lit by us, but only by Mother Nature or some candles," he said, "so that it feels more naturalistic, albeit enhanced in some cases."

Fair enough. Not that this came across well to fans though, it must be said.