Year: 2024

            I don’t know what it is lately.  Over the past few weeks, books I haven’t seen in decades seem to be finding me again, though I haven’t been looking for them.  The latest antiquity to sneak onto my desk evokes fond memories, as it had a huge effect on my early formation as a … Continue reading “ANOTHER BLAST FROM YOU-KNOW-WHERE”

Until recently, no one who graduated film school instantly declared themself a director of photography, and with good reason.  A couple of semesters’ exposure to the basics within a cloistered environment didn’t equate with bearing responsibility for a multi-million dollar investment.  It still doesn’t.  But society’s values have changed along with our technology, and such … Continue reading “I TOLD YOU SO”

            American Cinematographer’s Shot Craft: Lessons, Tips & Techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography             by Jay Holben             Adakin Productions Press; 2023             Forewords by M. David Mullen, ASC & Stephen Pizzello             The title might be a mouthful, but it delivers on every point.  Among the topics covered are Fundamental Concepts, … Continue reading “READ THIS BOOK #8”

We’ve long taken aerial cinematography for granted, but ninety years before Top Gun: Maverick ruled the skies, a daredevil cameraman took to the air in order to bring his own breathtaking images to moviegoers around the world.  As the first to specialize in that sort of work, Elmer Dyer, ASC was a pioneer in the … Continue reading “ELMER DYER, ASC (1892-1970)”

Today, I’d like to send a shout out to my good friend and colleague, John Fauer, ASC.  In addition to being an ace cinematographer and successful author, he’s the brain behind the industry’s most comprehensive and informative publication, Film and Digital Times.  Its subtitle pretty much says it all: Art, Technique and Technology in Motion … Continue reading “FILM AND DIGITAL TIMES”

Last Friday’s post professed my appreciation for Verne and Sylvia Carlson’s 16mm\35mm Professional Cameraman’s Handbook.  While rooting through yet another obscure storage space, I came upon this companion publication, written by the same authors and whose title anticipates its contents.  Don’t let it fool you, though.  It’s pretty much devoid of lighting techniques and is … Continue reading “SPARKS WILL FLY”

            Back in the Stone Age, long before the arrival of so many clever phone apps, there existed the Alan Gordon Director’s Viewfinder.  Why it wasn’t named after cinematographers – its prime users – escapes me, though I suspect there was some snootiness involved.  Palm-sized and light-weight, it allowed you to frame shots without forcing … Continue reading “THE ALAN GORDON DIRECTOR’S VIEWFINDER”

            I envy the aspiring cinematographers of today.  They have more educational resources within easy reach than prior generations could have imagined.  When starting my climb through the ranks as an assistant cameraman in the late ’70’s, information was hard to come by.  Like so many others, I was super-motivated in my search for bits … Continue reading “A VOLUME OF A DIFFERENT KIND”

Everyone’s lens-happy these days, thinking that if they only stick the right piece of glass in front of the camera, they’ll discover a magical look that will set them apart from everyone else.             The reality is that lens choice is only one instrument in a much bigger orchestra.  There’s no question they’re important, but … Continue reading “LENS, LENS…BABY”

            I’ve been a fan of NASA and the space program for my entire life.  The 1960’s marked the glory years of their efforts, and I’m old enough to remember the three projects that got us to the moon before the end of the decade: Mercury (just barely), Gemini (a little better) and Apollo (every … Continue reading “APOLLO 13 (1995)”