One book on Cinematography...
Ben Ryan
I have several books sitting in my amazon wishlist that cover
cinematography, and I'm wondering which is the best to buy, and which
ones overlap etc.
Basically I'm looking for a book that initially covers the semantics of
exposure - f-stops/shutter angles etc., and the creative additions that
can be made in camera to achieve a specific look to a film.
I'd also like to (preferably) have something that references lens
selection, stock types, lightning etc and how those elements influence
the look (beyond the obvious of grain etc.)
The books I've spotted so far are:
1. "Painting With Light" by John Alton
2. "Film Lighting: Talks With Hollywood's Cinematographers and Gaffers"
by Kris Malkiewicz
3. "Cinematography: A Guide for Film Makers and Film Teachers" by Kris
Malkiewicz
4. "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook: Film Lighting Equipment,
Practice, and Electrical Distribution" by Harry C. Box
5. "The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques"
by Joseph V. Mascelli
At this stage I can only buy one, and so am wondering which is the
better value?
Obviously these only go so far - and nothing can substitute real world
experience, but I guess I'm wanting a text that also acts as a reference
point (so not so much 'theory', but rather the dry technical aspects).
Thanks in Advance.
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crash
They are all nice books .
But , Set Lighting Technician's Handbook is a must, to learn technical side
of cinematography.
good luck
-crash
David Mullen
interested in the subject, you'll want to read all of them. What city are
you in? Your university or public library might have some of these or can
get them thru an interlibrary loan system.
David Mullen
David Mullen
>books on composition study in the classic paintings but I looking for
>something directly relating to film. Thanks people.
I've never found books very useful on learning composition. Once you get
past issues like the Rule of Thirds and screen direction, and understand how
focal lengths of lenses compress or expand space, and the idea of negative
space, all of which can be learned quickly, it all becomes about being
sensitive to composing, not following rules. Generally you learn by doing
and by studying other movies and artwork, photos, etc.
The Mascelli book has a chapter on composition, being one of the 5 C's.
David Mullen
CPJ_II
> books on composition study in the classic paintings but I looking for
> something directly relating to film. Thanks people.
I don't really think composition can be 'learned' or 'taught' in the
traditional academic sense -- it's something someone understands
instinctively, or doesn't and can't.
Of course, any photographer (still or motion) needs to _develop_ their
awareness of composition and evolving style via practice, observation
and analysis.
Rather than read books (and I daresay there are some, though even a
magazine like "American Cinematographer" concentrates mainly on
technology rather than composition), you'll learn more from watching
well photographed movies (even some TV shows), particularly classics
like "Gone With The Wind", "Citizen Kane", "Lawrence Of Arabia", and
studying (mainly on your own) great painting and still photography.
More recent mainstream films may be more difficult to 'learn' from,
because there has been so much emphasis in recent decades on FX, CGI,
whiz-bang editing etc. to an extent that makes many such movies almost a
different genre. (Of course, if you aspire to chooting for James
Cameron...... <g>) And the ongoing debates and conflicts about various
aspect ratios which has become a context for increasing compromise (and
confusion) also means that many recent films will be problematic to
analyse as models for composition: in many instances the home video,
sometimes even widescreen DVD, will not show the same composition as the
original theatrical movie.
Just my two cents......
C.
CPJ_II
> Evander wrote:
> > David Mullen wrote:
> >
> > > I'd probably get the two Malkiewicz books. One is not enough. If you're
> > > interested in the subject, you'll want to read all of them. What city are
> > > you in? Your university or public library might have some of these or can
> > > get them thru an interlibrary loan system.
> >
> > OK what is a good book for studying composition? I've already got a few
> > books on composition study in the classic paintings but I looking for
> > something directly relating to film. Thanks people.
>
> I don't really think composition can be 'learned' or 'taught' in the
> traditional academic sense -- it's something someone understands
> instinctively, or doesn't and can't.
>
> Of course, any photographer (still or motion) needs to _develop_ their
> awareness of composition and evolving style via practice, observation
> and analysis.
>
> Rather than read books (and I daresay there are some, though even a
> magazine like "American Cinematographer" concentrates mainly on
> technology rather than composition), you'll learn more from watching
> well photographed movies (even some TV shows), particularly classics
> like "Gone With The Wind", "Citizen Kane", "Lawrence Of Arabia", and
> studying (mainly on your own) great painting and still photography.
One additional thought: if someone is working _only_ as a videographer
or cinematographer I'd strongly recommend spending some time editing,
even if only with consumer gear for your own home videos or something
similar. When you understand first-hand how different types of shots
work and flow together -- or not -- this should enhance your awareness
of how different compositions interact and, during a shoot, should
improve your awareness of what kind of basic establishing and other
coverage photography may be useful to a project and, during editing, may
enable greater flexibility for the director and/or editor.
C.
Alexander Ibrahim
If you HAVE to get JUST ONE book get
> 3. "Cinematography: A Guide for Film Makers and Film Teachers" by
Kris
> Malkiewicz
I don't own this book, mostly because every time I remember to buy it
I am short on money for some stupid reason. (Last time it was a PS2
fer crying out loud...)
I'd make the second purchase for your goals (which were about
technical aspects of cinematography) one that is not on your list at
all.
The American Cinematographer Manual.
I consider the other books more concerned with film aesthetics like
composition and not methodology.
Box's book, which I really find handy, is a standard. It is however
filled not with camera related information but with lighting related
information. Most of which ends up ignored on my sets because I don't
have all that stuff to work with. (The bits that apply are followed
more closely than the 10 commandments...) I would make this my third
purchase.
If you don't already have one get a subscription to American
Cinematographer.
--
Alexander Ibrahim
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"David Mullen" <dav...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
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Alexander Ibrahim
fundamentals of composition which are the same for any medium. They
are superb if you are a photographer.
As far as applying these fundamentals to motion pictures I have yet to
find anything that is more relevant and has any substance. I am not
happy with Katz's Cinematic Motion book.
Eagerly awaiting David Mullen's answer...
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Alexander Ibrahim
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"Evander" <eva...@NOSPAMtelocity.com> wrote in message
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>
> "David Mullen" <dav...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:eqDt8.2642$3z3.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> OK what is a good book for studying composition? I've already got a
few
> books on composition study in the classic paintings but I looking
for
> something directly relating to film. Thanks people.
>
> Evan
>
>
Ben Ryan
Thankyou both.
I had a feeling it would be an "at least two" answer - text books rarely
seem to be definitive, even if they attempt to be.
I'm actually in Melbourne, OZ. My university library has turned up some
surprises of late, but given there are a number of media/film related
courses on offer there, they just might have these.
JETman
It's a classic tutorial.
JT
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Regards,
JT (Residing in Austin, Texas)
Just Tooling Down The Internet Superhighway With my G4.......
JETman
And don't forget, he also covers the sixth "C."
<g>