Cinematography

by Kris Malkiewicz

Since its initial publication in 1973, "Cinematography" has become the standard guidebook on filmmaking techniques that emphasizes the cameraman's craft. Now completely revised and updated, it clearly and concisely covers what today's filmmaker needs to know about camera structure and operation, lenses, film stocks, filters, lighting and light measuring, and accessory equipment. In addition it provides up-to-date information on sound recording, editing, video transfer, studio and location shooting, production logistics, and modern techniques of picture manipulation with optical printers -- a subject rarely treated in such detail in existing film books. Building on the groundwork he lays, Kris Malkiewicz explores more advanced techniques of overall picture quality control -- how the filmmaker can translate the envisaged image to the screen through coordinating all aspects of cinematography. As Malkiewicz explains, whatever concept is desired, the filmmaker must be in full control of the technology in order to ensure success. Illustrated with more than 350 photographs and drawings, this new second edition of "Cinematography" will continue to prove invaluable to filmmakers, film students, and film teachers.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Reference

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a really good job of covering the basics of cinematography. It is focused on the application of the craft, meaning there is little in the way of film theory or subjective opinion-- which makes it direct and to-the-point, with almost zero filler.

This should be a must-read for beginners, but I think many intermediate cinematographers will still pick up quite a bit of information.

This manual explains the equipment, procedures and reasons behind the basics of lighting, sound, camera operation (film, not digital) and post production (both film and digital).

While this book is largely written with the use of 16mm or 35mm film in mind, that doesn't take away from its relevance. I was very interested to learn some of the "older" film techniques because they have direct relationships to digital cinematography (such as shutter speed, ISO ratings, origins of color white balance, and light metering). It's really good to know where these concepts came from instead of understanding them in a vacuum.

[jm · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a couple of great chapters in the middle where Malkiewicz talks about specific shooting scenarios and how to light them. That part, while being almost entirely unstructured, holds a lot of useful information. Most of the rest of the book, unfortunately, is firmly stuck in the film area - despite an update that supposedly happened in 2005 - and at best of historic interest to the digital filmmaker.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly informative but a tad outdated

This is a great basic book for cinematography, but there have been many advances technologically to date that make the book feel outdated, but great if you need to know the basics.

[Meghal Sivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay

[Morgan McGuire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is comprehensive and well written. The table of contents is exactly what you'd like to see for your first cinematography book. It is also one of the last books written before digital capture and video swept the industry, so a good portion of the practical advice is laughingly obsolete. I hope we see a rewrite for new technology soon!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best basic cinematography text I've come across, very clear and straightforward.

[Creative Wool Media · Rating 4 out of 5]

HDSLR films are not covered, at least not in the version I'd read, but this book is a great for those interested in Cinematography.

[Harsh Trivedi]

work improovment

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is geared to the professional filmmaker, but I gleaned a few ideas from it.