The New York Institute of Photography was the leading school for fledgling cinematographers. It was these adventurous filmmakers who wanted to present the wonders of the motion picture to audiences worldwide. We owe them all a great deal of gratitude, for without the influence of the early cinema, both on the stage and screen, our lives would be less cultured and fulfilling. This book is part of that legacy, one of the prominent texts used for motion picture training by that outstanding Institute of Photography mentioned above. It has survived the many years since the days of its early classroom use and is now back in print. This book provides a fascinating portrait of the men and woman who worked behind the scenes to produce some of the most memorable moments on the silver screen.
This book begins with a detailed history of cinematography followed by a short chapter on the fascination with the subject. The nature and attributes of light are discussed in detail, as are cinematographic lenses of the day. An easy-to-understand guide on focusing for a variety of shots is included. An insider’s guide to preparing for a days work is then followed by a somewhat outdated chapter on preparing photographic solutions for developing the film negatives. There is a chapter on how to make motion picture positives, while another explains the tinting and toning of motion picture films. Next up, are chapters on cutting and editing, exterior and interior lighting, and using trick-work and double exposures. There are also additional chapters on animation, composition, shooting aerial and submarine films as well as a short write-up on make-up. An extensive bibliography of the day and detailed appendix conclude this healthy tome. While much has changed in the motion picture industry since this book was first compiled, it still provides the reader with a basic understanding of the process for creating such films. As a sensible how-to guide, this book is as practical now as it was then. A worthwhile addition to any library on motion picture studies. ISBN 1-59016-139-4 o 380 + 96 illustrated pages o 6 x 9 o tradepaper o illustrated.
