BUDGET BIG AND BUDGET LITTLE

            I recently completed shooting an extremely well-funded, hour-long pilot for one of the major networks.  Now, after a short rest, I’m about to shoot a small, labor-of-love independent feature for a talented young director.             The feature has a fifteen-day schedule, which ironically, is one more than what the pilot had.  However, the challenges … Continue reading “BUDGET BIG AND BUDGET LITTLE”

10.28.2022

A WAY OF SEEING

            If you’ve missed Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’Avventura (1960; photographed by Aldo Scavarda), shame on you!  It’s one of the essentials…put it at the top of your list!  If you haven’t seen it in awhile, see it again soon.  A wealth of background information is available on the web, so I won’t waste time with the … Continue reading “A WAY OF SEEING”

10.25.2022

GUS

            In early 1980 I was struggling for entry to any pack-mule slot in the camera department.  Making the most of too much free time, I enrolled in film classes at Columbia University and was handed a wind-up Bell & Howell camera and a Sekonic light meter with a sticky needle.  The Filmo 70-DR is … Continue reading “GUS”

10.21.2022

STUDENT QUICK TIP #20

            Multiple lights mean multiple shadows!             Shadows are a part of life and are not to be feared in motion pictures.  Skillfully placed, they add depth and texture to images and help turn an essentially flat representation of people and objects into something approximate to the human experience.             According to the script, there … Continue reading “STUDENT QUICK TIP #20”

10.18.2022

CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED…!

I first wrote the following as a column for the June 2021 issue of American Cinematographer… Moments of Transcendence The ASC Photo Gallery reflects its membership’s passion for capturing still images that can move the viewer. I’ve never known any cinematographer who is completely satisfied with everything they’ve shot.  I’m certainly not.  Our chosen career … Continue reading “CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED…!”

10.14.2022

LEIGH WIENER

            Photographer\photojournalist Leigh Wiener (1929-1993) never got the recognition he deserved during his lifetime.  Look him up!  His work is certainly on par with the most famous names of his day, often exceeding them with his taste and technical mastery.  One glance at his portrait of Grace Kelly or shot of Sandy Koufax in mid-delivery … Continue reading “LEIGH WIENER”

10.11.2022

ANOTHER MINOR IMPERFECTION

            At about the 7:00 mark of Jack Arnold’s science fiction classic, It Came From Outer Space (1953; Clifford Stine, ASC), a small but amusing anomaly pops up.  In the clip, an alien spaceship in the form of a glowing meteor hurtles directly at the lens.  Just as it’s about to crash through the screen … Continue reading “ANOTHER MINOR IMPERFECTION”

10.7.2022

IT’S AN IMPOSING TASK

            From the legendary photographer, Richard Avedon:             “It’s not hard being great occasionally.  It’s difficult being good consistently.”             Though this’s true regarding most everything in life, it’s somewhat facile for a stills guy to observe about himself!             Consider how many times a cinematographer has to be on-target.  I’m not just talking about … Continue reading “IT’S AN IMPOSING TASK”

10.4.2022