Film Lighting (Paperback)

~ (Author) "FILMS ARE light..." (more)
Key Phrases: double fog, many cinematographers, printing lights, Richmond Aguilar, Jordan Cronenweth, Allen Daviau (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A gaffer is the chief electrician on a movie set, and this book contains interviews with gaffers and cinematographers who know their business, including Conrad Hall, James Wong Howe, Haskell Wexler, Robert Wise, and Vilmos Zsigmond, among others. The book is divided into cinematography, lighting equipment, image manipulation, and studio and location lighting. Teamwork and artistry are accented. The comments are informal yet knowledgeable, and there is a glossary to help the reader. Admittedly specialized, Film Lighting will be of interest to movie buffs and film students, as well as subject specialists. Photographs and line drawings not seen. James L. Limbacher, Jayell Enterprises, Dearborn, Mich.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (August 11, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671766341
• ISBN-13: 978-0671766344
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,950 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is must reading for those interested in cinematography., November 18, 1997

By	Michael Frediani, S.O.C. [e-mail] ... (Burbank, California) - See all my reviews

Kris Malkiewicz has assembled some of the finestcinematographers and gaffers in the world to create a must-have bookfor all aspiring and working Directors of Photography. This book is both technical and creative in description of design and technique. From Nestor Almendros, ASC to Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and other contemporary greats in-between--the reader learns lighting of sets, close-ups, background plates and much more. Both soft-light and hard-light techniques are covered too. Reading the meter is discussed by Caleb Deshanel, ASC who states, "Basically I use the meter after I have finished lighting" to Malkiewicz who states, "a caucasian face has about 35 percent reflectance, but a black face reflects less than 16 percent." He goes on to explain the proper technique for exposing dissimilar facial colors with reflective metering. The late James Wong Howe, ASC and Jordan Cronenweth, ASC are quoted describing their day-for-night techniques. All in all this book covers the basics and beyond and has served me well as a reference book that I consult from time to time, and recommend to others.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Useful for someone new to lighting, December 30, 2002

By A Customer

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If you are looking for a good, instructional book on lighting setups and techniques...keep looking. This book may be useful to a seasoned director or gaffer, but is rather useless for beginners. This is essentially a book on interviews, and while has some techniques discussed throughout, is not presented in a way that would be useful for someone hoping to learn the finer details of lighting.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a dull technical book . . . very interesting . . ., February 25, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Central Virginia) - See all my reviews

I am an aspiring D.P., interested in lighting and camera operation. This book gives a good insight to the relationship between D.P. and director. It does not give dull "how to set up lights," but provides some interesting information provided by some outstanding cinematographers, many are members of ASC. I found it to be an excellent read.