I'm working on a film idea and am trying to come up with a list of "tricks" that nature and wildlife filmmakers use to trigger emotions or feelings from viewers.

Things like color grading footage blue to make it feel cold and uninviting.
Using music to set a certain tone.
Shooting at first and last light.
Misting flowers with water to give the feeling of freshness and early morning dew.

What are some others?

Hey Kevin,

I believe that, in wide shots, putting your subject in the upper part of the frame lends an air of positivity
or dominance. In the lower part of the frame adds a sense of mystery. Or maybe I'm just fooling myself.

Hi Kevin,

I rather like the use of height to emphasise some shots, for example in landscapes - either very low, or even a crane type shot, starting high, and dropping down to focus on the subject - sort of shows where you are, and can highlight the loneliness of the location.

When I see an extreme CU shot of an animal's eye, I wonder what it's thinking.

A wide, distant shot of a scene, jungle canopy, etc., with no sound track or dialog, just the natural sound, it tends to let one soak in the immensity and isolation.

Mark

Hey Kevin,

I think music and sound play a major role in this. Ofc these must fit the visual and vice versa.
Maybe it would be interesting to watch some of your favorite wildlife scenes with the sound off,
so you can maybe better focus on the visual "tricks" that are used.