Cinematography: Theory and Practice

This book covers both the artistry and craftsman ship of cinematography and visual storytelling. Few art forms are as tied to their tools and technology as is cinematography. Take your mastery of these new tools, techniques, and roles to the next level with this cutting-edge roadmap from author and filmmaker Blain Brown.

This 5th edition has been thoroughly updated throughout to include detailed information on the latest lighting and camera equipment, as well as expanded and updated discussion on the following areas: shooting on a budget, color spaces with emphasis on the new UHD standards, the decision-making process in choosing what lights and equipment to use, considerations concerning power issues, safety and what electrical supply is needed for various types of lights, an examination of the cinematographer’s role in preproduction, and much more.

Whether you are a student of filmmaking, someone just breaking into the business, working in the field and looking to move up the ladder, or an experienced filmmaker updating your knowledge of tools and techniques, this book provides both the artistic background of visual language and also the craft of shooting for continuity, lighting tools and methods, and the technical side of capturing images on digital or on film. It also emphasizes “what every director should know about cinematography, and what every cinematographer should know about working with the director.”

Topics include:

• Visual storytelling

• Methods of shooting a scene

• Continuity and coverage

• The tools and basics of film lighting

• Using lenses for storytelling

• Exposure

• Color

• Cameras and digital sensors

• Understanding digital images

• Using linear, gamma, and log video

• Image control and grading on the set

• Data management and the DIT

• Optics and focus

• Camera movement

• Set operations

• Greenscreen, high speed, special effects

• Shooting for V

The companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/brown) features additional material, including lighting demonstrations, basic methods of lighting, methods of shooting a scene, continuity and coverage, dealing with daylight, using diffusion, color control, and other topics.

Blain Brown has been in the film business for over 30 years, working as a director of photography, director, screenwriter, producer, and editor. Before becoming a DP/Director, he worked as a lighting technician, gaffer, and grip. He has written, directed, and photographed feature films, commercials, music videos, and corporate videos. He has taught at several film schools in the Los Angeles area, including Columbia College, UCLA, Los Angeles Film School, and AFI. He studied architecture and planning at MIT, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. His other books include The Basics of Filmmaking: Screenwriting, Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Audio, & Editing, Motion Picture and Video Lighting (3rd edition), and The Filmmaker’s Guide to Digital Imaging.