Digital Cinematography [Paperback]

Paul Wheeler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240516141 | ISBN-13: 978-0240516141 | Publication Date: June 1, 2001 | Edition: 1

High end digital cinematography can truly challenge the film camera in many of the technical, artistic and emotional aspects of what we think of as 'cinematography'. This book is a guide for practising and aspiring cinematographers and DOPs to digital cinematography essentials - from how to use the cameras to the rapidly emerging world of High Definition cinematography and 24p technology.


This book covers the `on-the-set' knowledge you need to know - its emphasis lies in practical application, rather than descriptions of technologies, so that in this book you will find usable `tools' and information to help you get the job done. From `getting the look' to lighting styles and ratios, what is needed for different types of shoots and the technical preparation required, this is a complete reference to the knowledge and skills required to shoot high end digital films. The book also features a guide to the Sony DVW in-camera menus - showing how to set them up and how they work - a
device to save you time and frustration on set.

Paul Wheeler is a renowned cinematographer/director of photography and trainer, he runs courses on Digital Cinematography at the National Film & Television School and has lectured on the Royal College of Art's MA course and at The London International Film School. He has been twice nominated by BAFTA for a Best Cinematography award and also twice been the winner of the INDIE award for Best Digital Cinematography.


THE first step-by-step guide to high end digital camerawork
Keep up to date with the very latest technology
A practical `on-the-set' guide that helps you get your job done

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book covers the `on-the-set' knowledge you will need to know - its emphasis lies in practical application, rather than descriptions of technologies, so that in this book you will find usable `tools' and information to help you get the job done. From `getting the look' to lighting styles and ratios, what is needed for different types of shoots and the technical preparation required, this is a complete reference to the knowledge and skills required to shoot high end digital films. The book also features a guide to the Sony DVW in-camera menus - showing how to set them up and how they work - advice to save you time and frustration on set.

About the Author

Paul Wheeler BSC FBKS was trained at the BBC rising to become a Senior Drama Film Cameraman. Paul Shot one of the first BBC Drama Series to be photographed using the then new Digi Beta cameras, by which time he was freelance. He is a renowned cinematographer/director of photography and trainer, he has been Head of Cinematography at National Film & Television School and still runs courses on Digital Cinematography there. He has also been Head of Cinematography on the Royal College of Arts MA course. Paul was invited to become an associate of Panavision in order to help them introduce the Panavised version of Sony's HDW 900f camera which meant he joined the HD movement 3 days before the first Panavision camera arrived in Europe. Despite all this he is still very much a working cinematographer. He has been twice nominated by BAFTA for a Best Cinematography award and also twice been the winner of the INDIE award for Best Digital Cinematography. His previous books, "Practical Cinematography" and "Digital cinematography", are both published by the Focal Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240516141
• ISBN-13: 978-0240516141
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For PROFESSIONALS only!, November 20, 2003

By 

A. Adams "Cinematographer" (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Cinematography (Paperback)

I'm a freelance cinematographer and this book explained a number of issues that I'd understood peripherally (through looking over my video engineer's shoulder on shoots) but not completely. This is a very practical book that is intended for professionals only. If you are an amateur or are looking for books on shooting with DVcam, this is not for you. This book is at the total opposite end of the spectrum. It's very technical and an invaluable help for those of us who make a living shooting commercial, corporate or broadcast video.

If you're a film or video professional, or want to be, this is a must have book.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT HELP, June 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Digital Cinematography (Paperback)

To counter the VERY DISAPPOINTING review, I found this book to be of great use. I happen to work at an institute that only uses Sony Equipment. This book was the best source of knowledge I've found dealing with Sony cameras. The sections dealing with the menus have by far been a lifesaver. So should you happen to use, or maybe even own a Sony DVCam, DigiBeta, or HDCam this book is a wonderful reference guide.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For professionals, but not so..., November 21, 2007

By 

Alejandro Reynoso "Cameraman" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Cinematography (Paperback)

First of all, I bought the book because the description suggested me a very high level technical book, and that was what I was looking for.
One of the first things I'm disappointed (agreeing with some other review) is that the book only describes the author experience with Sony 700-790 cameras (the book is labeled "Digital cinematography").
The book is described as including 125 illustrations, but what are counted as illustrations are the tables describing the menu items. The book doesn't contain any illustration about gamma curves, detail signals, knee slopes, etc.
I've been working in video for several years and now I'm trying to move to electronic cinematography. I have operated Sony cameras, and I needed to get the concepts about working in video, but with a film working style.
I thought I could find the answers in this book after reading the contents, but I think the author gives the information through the book, especially when describes the menu items, in a way that is far to be technical.
I was shocked when author refers, for example, to the "level 5/9" page (page 134 in the book, including RGB flare) to be a "purely engineering setup page...live it alone"... What!? flare compensation purely engineering setup? In any case, he doesn't describe what is "purely engineering".
In page 130 he suggest adjusting aperture level framing a middle-aged person close up and watch for the smile lines...what!!!?? This is no technical explanation. What about different focal lengths? what about different f-stops? What about different lenses? What about a chart? Nothing about this is mentioned.
In page 135, when describing white shading/black shading he says "please don't adjust. I tried once before I really understood the menus and cost the production an hour shooting time". So now he knows, but we don't. He never explains what shading is (he only talks about shading correction in page 169, without giving any other clue).
I know the book is not for DIT's, but I found the working descriptions (related to the camera setup) of Mr. Wheeler far from what I expected from a seasoned video cinematographer.
May be is a good way for him, but this is not what I was looking for.
I couldn't find, for example camera tests (aside from back focus), circles of confusion, depth of field tables for 2/3 video, if there are differences of depth of field in SD and HD, lens you can find for electronic cinematography, lens corresponding to 35mm angle of view, how to determine ISO with a different camera than 700-790, etc.
May be I'm asking too much. May be not.