Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Blain Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240802497 | ISBN-13: 978-0240802497 | Publication Date: November 23, 1995 | Edition: 2nd Revised

Motion Picture and Video Lighting explores the technical, aesthetic and practical aspects of lighting for film and video. Written by a professional in the field, this comprehensive book reveals inside information based on years of experience and thoroughly explores the challenges faced by cinematographers, lighting directors, gaffers and grips.

Through a hands on approach which is augmented by insightful diagrams, tables, charts and photographs, the author illustrates the power of light as one of the most important elements of filmmaking. Whether the reader is a professional, or student, a gaffer, grip or cameraman, this book will be a useful reference.
Blain Brown is a cinematographer and lighting director based in Los Angeles, California. He has lit and photographed a range of productions - from macro/table tops to boxing arenas, and from no-budget shoestring productions to large-scale features. Mr. Brown has also worked as a producer and line producer on commercials, music videos and feature films.

Provides a comprehensive look everyone involved in motion picture or video lighting.
Contains diagrams, tables, charts, and photographs to supplement the text.
A perfect reference for the professional or the student.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Written by a professional in the field, this comprehensive book reveals inside information based on years of experience and explores the challenges faced by cinematographers, lighting directors, gaffers and grips. Whether the reader is professional or a student, this book will be a useful
reference." - Lighting and Sound International

"...book has made the biggest impact on my career of all the resources I used to get where I am. And while I have
absorbed many, many books, tapes and met several of my heros who have helped me, I credit your book with giving me the confidence to "just do it" these last few years and reach this level. Furthermore, your book is the one book that I recommend to young, aspiring people who want to learn our craft..." - Dane Lawing, DP

From the Publisher

Through a hands on approach which is augmented by insightful diagrams, tables, charts and photographs, the author illustrates the power of light as one of the most important elements of filmmaking. Whether the reader is a professional, or student, a gaffer, grip or cameraman, this book will be a useful reference.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2nd Revised edition (November 23, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240802497
• ISBN-13: 978-0240802497
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Cinematography
  • #95 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Lighting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A completely professional approach, July 20, 2001

By 

brian mclaren (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Revised Edition (Paperback)

The thing about this book is that it is written from a completely professional point of view. It deals with lighting as it is really practiced on professional movie sets - not like most books on cinematography which seem to be written by people who haven't actually done it all that much in the real world. I've bought about every book there is on movie lighting and most of them are a waste of money.

This book covers everything from a basic introduction to color, exposure and electricity up to the more complex technical issues you have to deal with as a gaffer or cinematographer: very thorough and comprehensive. The Set Technicians book is good if all you are trying to be is an electrician, but this is the one you want if you really want to move up as a gaffer, lighting director or Director of Photography. Except for one chapter (film exposure), everything in the book applies equally well to video, digital video or High Def. There is also a very good chapter on video which covers what you REALLY have to know to work in video lighting.

If you work (or want to work) in the motion picture industry, knowing lighting is the key to advancement and success. This is the book to get if you really want to learn motion picture and video lighting.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good lighting manual for a beginning cameraperson., October 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Blaine Brown's book provides a decent explanation of set lighting, it's instruments and protocol. The text, though, seems to speak more to the cameraperson or AC who is curious about lighting. There is a lack of attention given to the juicers and hammers who are actually creating and shaping the light. There is a considerable amount of text granted to electrics and the distribution of power, but much more thorough and much more practically explained definitions are readily available in Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook."