Year: 2023

I happen to be quite busy at the moment, so rather than miss a post, I’m allowing myself the honor of having ASC Past President and four-time Academy Award winner Charles G. Clarke assume the reigns for the day.  His thoughts about who we are and the role we play in the filmmaking process are … Continue reading “AND NOW, PINCH HITTING FOR…”

About twenty-two minutes into Scarecrow (1973; Jerry Schatzberg\Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC), there’s a scene at a lunch counter between stars Al Pacino and Gene Hackman.  It lasts for seven minutes and fifty seconds and features only two brief cuts, the first of which occurs nearly six minutes in.  The shot is framed in 2:39 aspect ratio … Continue reading “THE BEAUTY OF A REALLY LONG, STATIC TAKE”

Every time I look at one of the cameras I use, I’m blown away by two things.  First, the technology contained within that little box – and what it’s capable of – is truly amazing.  The second comes in the form of a question: How the hell do my assistants figure that mess out?             … Continue reading “WHAT A MESS!”

For me, the best feature of the newly redesigned ASC website is the digitized archive of American Cinematographer magazine.  Starting with the November 1, 1920 issue and ending with the most recent offering, it provides the world’s best resource not just for study of our craft, but for filmmaking in general. There’s nothing else like … Continue reading “THERE GOES ANOTHER EARLY BEDTIME”

Ansel Adams:             “My approach to photography is based on my belief in the vigor and values of the world of nature, in aspects of grandeur and minutiae all about us.  I believe in growing things, and in the things that have grown and died magnificently.  I believe in people, in the simpler aspects of … Continue reading “IF HE ONLY KNEW…”

The title of this post can be interpreted in several ways.  One is somewhat reassuring: AI is coming for you (emphasis on ‘for’), as if it will have some benefit.  Another implies a threat: AI is coming for you (emphasis on ‘you’). Both are true.  If you’re not familiar with this awesome technology and how … Continue reading “ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS COMING FOR YOU”

            Have you ever clashed with a hostile bureaucracy that does everything in its power to keep you dissatisfied?  While the IRS might come to mind, I’m referring to the Internet Movie Database, better known as IMDb.com.  Owned by Amazon, it’s the massive storehouse where credits and other information pertaining to most everyone in the … Continue reading “IT MEANS DON’T BOTHER”

            Directed by Russell Rouse, The Thief is notable for being a studio-era spy drama without any spoken dialogue.  As such, a great emphasis is placed on cinematographer Sam Leavitt, ASC’s ability to engage the viewer without becoming heavy-handed.  It was no easy task, yet he pulled it off with a restraint that presages techniques … Continue reading “SAM LEAVITT, ASC & THE THIEF (1952)”

I should be over it by now, but the sophistication of the technology we carry around in our pockets astonishes me.  This photo was taken hand-held with my iPhone 12 Pro Max; ISO5000 at f1.6 with an exposure time of 1.1 seconds.  Just imagine using an 8×10 view camera to do the same thing, as … Continue reading “YES, LOOK UP…!”

            John Ford’s Technicolor classic, The Quiet Man (1952), is one of my favorite movies.  It usually shows up on TV around St. Patrick’s Day, and this year was no exception.  Despite some of its corniness and clichéd depictions of the Irish, it can always be counted on to hit a gratifying spot between the … Continue reading “STUTTER STEPS…!”