Film Lighting: Talks with Hollywood's Cinematographers and Gaffers

By Kris Malkiewicz

Book Overview

Newly revised and updated, Film Lighting is an indispensible sourcebook for the aspiring and practicing cinematographer, based on extensive interviews with leading cinematographers and gaffers in the film industry.Film lighting is a living, dynamic art influenced by new technologies and the changing styles of leading cinematographers. A combination of state-of-the-art technology and in-depth interviews with industry experts, Film Lighting provides an inside look at how cinematographers and film directors establish the visual concept of the film and use the lighting to create a certain atmosphere.Kris Malkiewicz uses firsthand material from the experts he interviewed while researching this book. Among these are leading cinematographers Dion Beebe, Russell Carpenter, Caleb Deschanel, Robert Elswit, Mauro Fiore, Adam Holender, Janusz Kaminski, Matthew Libatique, Rodrigo Prieto, Harris Savides, Dante Spinotti, and Vilmos Zsigmond. This updated version of Film Lighting fills a growing need in the industry and will be a perennial, invaluable resource.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439169063
• ISBN13: 9781439169063
• Release Date: February 2012
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.5" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Not for the beginner

As an amateur seeking to grow in professional production, this book was a great transitional piece. LOVED IT. Keep in mind that I was already familiar with lighting terms and techniques. This just helped me to polish my technique and better understand which lights do what etc.... If you have done several music videos, small indie projects etc, than this book will help you get to the next level. If your a beginner you'll be lost. Overall, great stuff, a little beefy at times, but worth it.

A definate must read for cinematographers and directors

I am a director and found this book to be really intersting. I really enjoyed hearing advice and techniques from a collection of accomplished cinematographers and gaffers. Too many books just merely point out that there are many ways to approach lighting a scene. This actually shows how different people choose to light particular scenes. The only complaint that I have is that it is a bit out-dated. Personally, I use a lot of newer lighting equipment that was not mentioned (especially Kino Flo lights). Nevertheless, still probably the best lighting book I have encountered.

Not just a dull technical book . . . very interesting . . .

I am an aspiring D.P., interested in lighting and camera operation. This book gives a good insight to the relationship between D.P. and director. It does not give dull "how to set up lights," but provides some interesting information provided by some outstanding cinematographers, many are members of ASC. I found it to be an excellent read.

This is must reading for those interested in cinematography.

Kris Malkiewicz has assembled some of the finestcinematographers and gaffers in the world to create a must-have bookfor all aspiring and working Directors of Photography. This book is both technical and creative in description of design and technique. From Nestor Almendros, ASC to Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and other contemporary greats in-between--the reader learns lighting of sets, close-ups, background plates and much more. Both soft-light and hard-light techniques are covered too. Reading the meter is discussed by Caleb Deshanel, ASC who states, "Basically I use the meter after I have finished lighting" to Malkiewicz who states, "a caucasian face has about 35 percent reflectance, but a black face reflects less than 16 percent." He goes on to explain the proper technique for exposing dissimilar facial colors with reflective metering. The late James Wong Howe, ASC and Jordan Cronenweth, ASC are quoted describing their day-for-night techniques. All in all this book covers the basics and beyond and has served me well as a reference book that I consult from time to time, and recommend to others.