Lighting for Film and Digital Cinematography (with InfoTrac) [Paperback]

Dave Viera (Author), Maria Viera (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0534264980 | ISBN-13: 978-0534264987 | Publication Date: July 2, 2004 | Edition: 2

Explores the basic concepts necessary for designing and implementing lighting setups. This text adopts a conceptual approach to lighting, focusing on ideas and setups; it assumes readers have a prior knowledge of equipment. Coverage includes lighting, color control, texture, exposure technique, and elements that create image, 'look,' and mood.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book encourages one to see with fresh eyes--to be a creative problem solver, as opposed to relying on the formulaic."

"Viera's book from the start has been one of my favorite texts on the subject. It gives the right amount of information and illustrates its points with terrific images from real films."

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 2 edition (July 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534264980
• ISBN-13: 978-0534264987
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Cinematography

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars no better introduction to the craft, January 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lighting for Film and Electronic Cinematography (Paperback)

I have had this wonderful book since its first imprint. It demystifies the art of cinematography and lays a good foundation for the reader to understand both the craft and practice of cinematography. Those who have struggled to read American Cinematographer will have no problems after reading this excellent book. Highly recommended. But why the price increase? I paid only $30 in 1992.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXTREMELY HELPFUL, September 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lighting for Film and Electronic Cinematography (Paperback)

This book absolutely helps the beginning cinematographer in every sense of the word. It is not only helpful for the amateur cinematographer but its also a useful and resourceful book at any stage of your profession. There are diagrams that help you duplicate lighting situations explained in the book. This book truly attempts to teach you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Worth The Price, January 21, 2010

By 

M. MacDonald (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lighting for Film and Digital Cinematography (with InfoTrac) (Paperback)

I bought this book because, as someone who has shot a limited amount of both film and video, I wanted to learn more specifics about lighting, exposure theory, color theory, and so on. While the book covers all of these topics, it does so in a limited, rather basic way, and for the information you get, it is not worth the price. It is a flimsy paperback book with lots of empty white space on every page and the illustrative photos are mostly black and white, which is fine for black and white cinematography but . . . .

I returned my copy and purchased "Motion Picture and Video Lighting" by Blain Brown for 1/3 the price of "Lighting for Film and Digital Cinematography." Not only is Brown's book less expensive, but it is PACKED with highly useful, very practical information. Plus, it includes a DVD with lighting demonstrations, technical tests, and short scenes illustrating the lighting principles covered in the book. Also, I really like the section of Brown's book that lists all the major types of lights used on professional shoots (from Fresnels and HMIs to PARs, Dino's, MaxiBrutes, FAYs, Soft Lights, Space Lights, fluorescents, and so on). Yes, Brown's book is a bit more technical, but he covers the basics very well and his book is, in my opinion, a far better investment, and a less expensive one at that.