I really like the cinematography for the night waterfront scene! The emphasis on Frank walking towards Karen and the way they use close ups. A really neat shot as well is the one when Frank is looking into Karen's eye/pleading seconds before the kiss; it's an upwards angle, favoring Karen. It makes Frank look a bit smaller (he's already bowing a bit before her) and I think it really shows how he's at her mercy in that moment. His feelings for her give him this strength but also this weakness.
YES TO ALL OF THIS. I remember when we first got stills from this scene a lot of us were freaking out because the whole set-up, the bridge and the lights and everything made it look like something straight out of a rom-com hahaha. And we got our first Kastle kiss from this scene, mixed with some delicious angst, soooooo I’d say we were all pretty on-point. :)
I know absolutely nothing about cinematography but I absolutely think that emphasis on certain angles and close-ups was done intentionally. I also really love the shot right after he tells her about Frank Jr. painting the marine on the wall, where he watches her walk past him and then turns to look at her. He’s opened up to her again and, just as you said, he’s totally at her mercy while he waits to see how she’ll respond. And fabulous observation about the shot right before the kiss - I went and re-watched (NOT for the first time today I’m slightly ashamed to admit hahaha) and it totally does look like he’s a bit smaller. Such a neat way to visually communicate everything going on in that moment. :)
(Also, if you’re looking for more Punisher cinematography meta, @shipsabound did a really lovely analysis of the waterfront scene in 1x02 here, so definitely check that out if you haven’t! Unless you ARE shipsabound *side eye* hahaha)