Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors (Volume 1)

There's more to being a DP than holding a light meter! With this book as your guide, you are on your way to learning not only about the equipment and technology, but also about the concepts and thought processes that will enable you to shoot professionally, efficiently, and with artistic mastery. A leading book in the field, Cinematography has been translated into many languages and is a staple at the world's top film schools. Lavishly produced and illustrated, it covers the entire range of the profession. The book is not just a comprehensive guide to current professional practice; it goes beyond to explain the theory behind the practice, so you understand how the rules came about and when it's appropriate to break them. In addition, directors will benefit from the book's focus on the body of knowledge they should share with their Director of Photography.

Cinematography presents the basics and beyond, employing clear explanations of standard practice together with substantial illustrations and diagrams to reveal the real world of film production.

Recognizing that professionals know when to break the rules and when to abide by them, this book discusses many examples of fresh ideas and experiments in cinematography. Covering the most up-to-date information on the film/digital interface, new formats, the latest cranes and camera support and other equipment, it also illustrates the classic tried and true methods.

New! A DVD and website includes video footage, offering key instruction in topics such as camera basics and essentials, lighting, shooting methods, and much more.

Topics include:
 
. Concepts of filmmaking
. Language of the lens
. Cinematic continuity
. Lighting for film, digital, and HD
. Exposure
. HD cinematography and shooting
. Shooting in HD
. Image control and filters
. Bleach bypass processes
. Lighting as storytelling
. Shooting special effects
. Set procedures and other issues

The DVD files are also available at http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/cw/brown-9780240812090/.

Blain Brown is a cinematographer, director and writer based in Los Angeles. He has been the director of photography on features, commercials, music videos, industrials and other types of projects.  He has directed and edited features and commercials, worked as a producer and has had three screenplays produced.

Educated at Long Island University, Harvard Graduate School of Design and M.I.T, he was a commercial still photographer in New York before getting into film production, which he has been doing for 26 years, starting as an electrician, gaffer, and grip and then as a cinematographer, director, writer, and producer.