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(as of Nov 01, 2024 17:35:12 UTC – Details)
We can’t shoot good pictures without good lighting, no matter how good the newest cameras are. Shooting under available light gives exposure, but lacks depth, contrast, contour, atmosphere and often separation. The story could be the greatest in the world, but if the lighting is poor viewers will assume it’s amateurish and not take it seriously. Feature films and TV shows, commercials and industrial videos, reality TV and documentaries, even event and wedding videos tell stories. Good lighting can make them look real, while real lighting often makes them look fake.
Lighting for Cinematography, the first volume in the new CineTech Guides to the Film Crafts series, is the indispensable guide for film and video lighting. Written by veteran gaffer and cinematographer David Landau, the book helps the reader create lighting that supports the emotional moment of the scene, contributes to the atmosphere of the story and augments an artistic style. Structured to mimic a 14 week semester, the chapters cover such things as lighting for movement, working with windows, night lighting, lighting the three plains of action and non-fiction lighting. Every chapter includes stills, lighting diagrams and key advice from professionals in the field, as well as lighting exercises to help the reader put into practice what was covered.
Publisher : Bloomsbury Academic; Reprint edition (July 10, 2014)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1628926929
ISBN-13 : 978-1628926927
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 7.45 x 0.65 x 9.3 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book very informative, solid, and worth reading. They describe it as an excellent, well-written, and easy read for beginner cinematographers. Readers also say the book is one of the best references on lighting and provides a complete understanding of how to light.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Aidan Gray –
Two Thumbs Up!
Fantastic non-technical overview of lighting, with several different scenarios and anecdotes. Paired with the Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook, one can receive a relatively encompassing education of lighting for cinematographers. Landau goes through different daylight interior/exterior and night time interior/exterior with stills to illustrate each of the his written examples. A great book on the design of lighting, but definitely needs to be paired with the Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook for a full education. Great read!
Justus Page –
An Indispensible Guide
I’ve been behind cameras for about 8 years now. And this book taught me more in its 270-ish pages than 4 years of film school, and a dozen films I’ve shot COMBINED. Truly, the knowledge contained therein is indispensible. It’s comprehensive, eloquently described, broken down in a totally trackable way, and the information remains relevant in this moment, which is impressive, as our technology is constantly evolving and growing.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to bring their Cinematography or Lighting skills up SEVERAL notches. It did for me!
Serious Soul –
A wonderful resource
This is a great book for anyone seriously interested in learning how to light a scene.
DIS –
Amazing written content. AWFUL photos.
One of the most practical and informative books Iâve read on the matter. Highly recommended. With the caveat that the images are TRULY DREADFUL. The most atrocious images from the most atrocious-looking amateur no-budget films, that weaken the whole book, weaken the examples and make us think that the author has zero taste and has only worked on tragically bad productions. Itâs a shame because cheapâing out on the images in such a way cheapens everything, including the very informative writing. A real shame.
Natasha Peters –
Enlightening!
My husband’s review. The book was for him.Hi I’m a filmmaker and I’m always trying to improve the look of my films and this book brought me closer to my goals.
Elana –
As if you are on set!
Theory, execution, and examples all in one book. This is a practical guide that is insightful, educational and easy to understand. As someone completely new to film, I’ve learned a tremendous amount!
Amazon Customer –
Too good!
Too good! There’s more boots on the ground know-how and common sense packed into this book than I’ll ever need to use, but I know I’ll never need to read another book on this topic to feel comfortable with film lighting. It’s a complete education on the topic written from the perspective of a master craftsman. Everyone should read this book to appreciate the skill and talent that goes into the movies and shows behind the scenes that’s taken for granted.
Amazon Customer –
It’s a good book!
Product condition wise is arrived pristine and well kept, no folds or wrinklesProduct though, Overall all it is a good book. Cover lighting from a very visual and representative standpoint. Other lighting books tend to cover from a scientific and technical perspective this book walks you through relative lighting positions and theory practices instead. A must have for anyone who is looking to get into cinematography or simply looking to understand light a little better
Amazon Customer –
Si de pronto existe la necesidad de una publicación que explique, paso a paso, el “teje y maneje” básico de lo que implica la iluminación en el cine, éste libro es el punto de partida por excelencia.Lleno de ejemplos concretos, ejercicios que pueden ser aplicables, y una excelente lectura.
voj888 –
The author is clearly experienced as a technical guy and has some useful tips concerning how to handle lights, electricity and weights. It’s definitely a useful read for anyone who starts at a junior level in rental & service. It is not a good read for someone wanting to develop his theoretical and creative skills. I’d rather suggest The Death and Rebirth of Cinema by Harry Mathias, which is much better for beginning cinematographers.The examples from this book are very poorly shot, which shows a lack of creative skills by the author. Everything is also quite dated.
Placeholder –
one of the finest book iâve gone through. aspiring filmmakers go for this book, you will get to know about many things forsure
Amazon Customer –
Good book to learn lighting from
Andrew Graeme –
Full colour all the way through – the way nature intended! And the illustrations are very good.This is an excellent book. Read, learn and inwardly digest every inch of this book and then go on set and hopefully watch how what you have learnt from this book is put into practice!Unlike most books on making movies, Landau actually has walked the walk and knows precisely and exactly what he is talking about. He opens the student’s eyes to the various ‘tricks-of-the-trade’ needed to get that perfect ‘Hollywood-Look’ or that ‘Dutch-Masters-Look’ or to build tension through a ‘Film Noir’ atmosphere.If a student actually gets to go on-set with one of the greats, he will be exposed to some, but not all, the techniques and artistry described in this book. The same is true for college courses and the like. The fact that Landau covers it all, means that the student really gets to taste and read about all the various ways of lighting a movie, a sitcom, or a two-reeler short.