Year: 2022

            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”

            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”

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…!”

            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”

            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”

            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”

            Here’s a little sample of something I recently shot that employed the latest in rear projection techniques, the vaunted LED wall.  Thanks to the brilliant assistance of Sam Nicholson, ASC and his staff from Stargate Studios, the process was as smooth as could be, and the results of the driving shots – for both … Continue reading “MOVIE MAGIC…!”

            Melvin Sokolsky (August 29) and William Klein (September 10) passed away within weeks of each other this year; sadly, these events were met with a cacophony of crickets.  That’s a shame, because in addition to being two of the greatest fashion photographers of the 1960’s and ’70’s, each man also directed some interesting films.  … Continue reading “ANOTHER SIGN THAT THE APOCALYPSE IS UPON US”

            Busy, busy, busy finishing up the pilot I’m shooting in Los Angeles.  So, here’s to ending the week with a short bit of brilliance from the late, great Allen Daviau, ASC:             “The cinematographer’s unique perversity is that in this absolutely chaotic, screwed up, very imperfect work, within the frame everything’s perfect for an … Continue reading “HE’S SO RIGHT!”

            Mentor-mentee…  A relationship through which knowledge, experience – and hopefully, wisdom – is passed from the seasoned professional to the aspiring person of a new generation.             I have shepherded many students over the years.  In fact, through the good graces of the ASC and AMPAS, I’m carrying two young cinematographers under my wing … Continue reading “A WORD TO THE UP-AND-COMING”