Customer Reviews

Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers

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This book almost made me cry. Although I'm more involved with directing itself than DoP functions it made me really want to get deeply involved in photography.

It gives an inside overview by the absolute pros in the matter wisely interviewed about the highlights in their careers, their careers as DoPs, their relationships with the directors and the technical secrets of well-known films and blockbusters.

A must for everybody involved in film or filmlovers!!

While reading this book, I began to understand that cinematography is a lot more than just a technical process (in a world where everyday images are becoming the real storytellers). This book teaches us ,in a really simple way, how to portrait realism using the magic of light. Also it is a very intimate comment on how the cinematographer explores feelings using light as a vehicle to communicate them. It's a remarkable book for professionals and cinematography lovers.

Trough conversations held with fifteen of the most accomplished contemporary cinematographers , the authors explore the working world of the person who controls the visual look and style of a film. In the past two decades a whole new generation of cinematographers has emerged on the international film scene. Often using spare and original lighting and camera techniques that would have horrified oldtime Hollywood, directors of photography have made a public mark on the film-making process that was all but unthinkable in earlier years. No other volume of in-depth conversations with generation of cinematographers is available to students and moviegoers. These interviews are rich in practical detail as well as stimulating discussions of aesthetic issues. Thus, reading this book is like taking a class from fifteen top cameramen. Taken together, the conversation in this book reveal the remarkable range of creativity and dedication demanded of the visual artist in feature filmmaking today.

The best book I have ever read in terms of intimately understanding the art and passion of the Cinematographer. All the interviews are great but the interview of Conrad Hall, ASC shines brighter now that he has passed on.
Must have.

Each chapter is an exciting, revealing conversation with a well known, talented Director of Photography. A great first hand way to learn why the films you love look the way they do.

I like hearing anyone discuss cameras and techniques except sheep. It seems the newer generation(now old) of cinematographers say exactly what their peers say. 1)Hollywood bad 2)minimalism good 3)Thank God for faster film/ available light 4)newer lenses are too sharp? 5)My lower region fell asleep
6) that's not an entirely bad thing.