Making Pictures: A Century of European Cinematography (Hardcover)

by Sven Nykvist (Author), Bernardo Bertolucci (Author), Marcello Mastoianni (Author), Association of European Cinematographers (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard once said, "Cinema is the truth, twenty-four times a second." From that brief quote springs this weighty, almost academic work on the history and importance of European film, starting from the optical entertainments in the 19th century and ending with 21st-century technical innovations. In between is packed a wealth of visual imagery, information and analysis. Although it features gorgeously produced stills from a multitude of movies, this doorstopper shouldn't be mistaken for a coffee-table book. It's a cinematographer's handbook and a cinephile's summer reading, so those who don't wish to crawl through detailed information about every technical aspect of European filmmaking are best directed elsewhere. But for the devoted film lover, there's much satisfying material here, including analyses about lighting night setups, the cinematographer's role and in-depth explorations of 100 films including The Battleship Potemkin, The Blue Angel and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Rather than provide movie information in standard review or flat description formats, the authors choose to jam-pack one page per movie with intricate detail about the film's director of photography, notable technical aspects and commentary about the use of light, backgrounds and mood, with comments from the likes of Ingmar Bergman's frequent collaborator, cinematographer Nykvist, among many others. The result is a stunning look at the way in which movies are made, both technically and creatively, and how European cinema in particular has influenced global filmmaking.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
The first comprehensive examination of the cinematographer's art, Making Pictures presents incisive analyses of 100 visually stunning films-radical classics like Battleship Potemkin (1925), Jules et Jim (1965), and The Elephant Man (1980)-along with a complete technical and creative history of the cameraperson's unique craft. Illustrated with 500 images in both color and black-and-white, it features a wealth of location shots and expository stills. Contributions by such seminal figures as director Bernardo Bertolucci, actor Marcello Mastroianni, and Ingmar Bergman's long-term collaborator, cinematographer Sven Nykvist, make this a unique study.

This remarkable book examines 100 European films that represent the art of cinematography at its best; they were specially chosen by a panel of cinematographers to represent either technical or creative mastery by the cameraman. This book will be an essential reference for all film students and cinematographers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 482 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810943859
• ISBN-13: 978-0810943858
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #753,546 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspirational Book, April 16, 2006

By	C. Barraclough (Hereford, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is such an inspirational book, and a must for any aspiring cinematographer and those with a real interest in cinema. It covers the history of Europeon cinematography and is wonderfully illustrated. At the beginning there are pieces from Jack Cardiff, Sven Nykvist, Guiseppe Rotunno and Bernardo Bertolucci.
One of the things I liked best about this book are the pieces on the 100 different top rated films. For each film we are given the story and this is told with the emphasis on how the film was shot, how light was used and how effects were created. It outlines each cinematographers approach. It made me want to watch all 100 of these films.
At the end there is a large section on 'Tools of the Trade' describing many different camera systems, lighting and filters and the history of many great camera companies, among others Panavision, Auri, Kodak, Fuji and Aaton. This is a truly fascinating book. Christie Barraclough

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must have" book, January 25, 2006

By	Helga Martinez (Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

Sometimes, seeing a movie is not enough for photographers. Sometimes it is better to freeze everything around us, and take the time one wants to admire a beautiful composition, or lighting or an unforgettable face. This is what I found in this book. As if it wasn't enough, it has the most interesting information about the cinematographers who achieved all this in the most sublime stage of cinematic art. I encourage all of you, interested or practicing photography to buy this book, You will never regret it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for Cinematographers!, May 28, 2005

By	Alex Covier (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

An extraordinary book on many levels. It examines in surprisingly great detail the cinematography on over 100 films by Bergman, Fellini, Kubrick, Lean to name a just a few. The gorgeous accompanying stills from the films and also of the DP's setting up shots sealed the deal for me.