Pacing and Composition

All of Ang Lee's cinematography serves the purpose to isolate the characters from other people and their world. The shot length is one example of this. Lee allows many of his shots to linger, especially the ones of Jack or Ennis against the wilderness. These shots are stretched out about 20% longer than comfortable. The uncomfortable nature of these shots drives in the fact that these characters are out of place, giving you the feeling that they don't quite belong. We begin to understand the constant scrutiny and pressure that males in the society are placed under. Though there is no breaking of the fourth wall, the characters seem almost to understand that they're being watched, and closely. One example of this is the shot where Jack is making beans while Ennis undressed in the background. The shot stays focused on Jack, desperately trying not to stare at the nude form behind him, as though he knows that he is being watched and judged. As the shot lingers, though the action in focus is almost completely static, we get to see Jack's increasing discomfort, and feel it ourselves.
Lee also favors the wilderness shots. Most shots of the characters except the most intimate ones have them against a backdrop of some kind of mountain range or forest. The natural beauty of these shots is obvious, but this movie is a tragic character study, not a nature show. These shots constantly remind us of the isolation from society and what is "civilized" that the characters are experiencing. One other shot that stands out to me is right after Jack and Ennis have been drinking, and are standing overlooking the sheep as the mountain looms behind them. It isn't explained that this mountain is Brokeback itself, but it matches the description found in the story. It "boils with demonic energy," and informs even a completely uninformed watcher that some danger is in store, and that the mountain will play a vital role in it. As a subtle, not overt, form of visual foreshadowing, the shot of the mountain adds visceral tension and trepidation to the story, and to a lesser extent, the wilderness shots throughout the next part of the movie do the same.