Introduction to Cinematography: Learning Through Practice

Introduction to Cinematography offers a practical, stage-by-stage guide to learning, combining and using the creative and technical aspects of cinematography. Building from a skills-based approach focused on professional practice, cinematographer and award-winning author Tania Hoser provides a step-by-step introduction for both cinematographers and camera assistants to the techniques, processes and procedures of working with cameras, lenses and light.

Building on the success of the first book, this second edition adds all-new chapters on virtual production and extended reality, as well as a significant increase in low-budget examples and case studies, to accommodate every reader.

Richly illustrated, the book incorporates exercises and sample scripts throughout, exploring light, color, movement and the language of the lens. The principles and techniques of shaping and controlling light are applied to working with natural light and film lamps and, as with all areas of cinematography, show both high-end and low-budget options.

This makes the second edition of Introduction to Cinematography the most up-to-date and essential resource for anyone aiming to acquire the full range of cinematography skills, allowing seamless progression from exercises through to full feature shoots. Assessment rubrics also provide a framework to measure progress as the reader’s ability to visually interpret scripts and enhance the director's vision develops.

Tania Hoser is a bestselling author and cinematographer who has won the Kodak and Metz cinematography prizes and shot six multi-award-winning films. Tania has also had several television commissions as a writer/director. She has taught film, photography and cinematography at universities in several countries, including the University of the West Indies, Barbados, and Abu Dhabi Women’s College, United Arab Emirates.