A few of your favorite things... on paper

[Benjamin Scot]

Just in case my power goes out, or I lose my www and do not have access to the countless pages of information on this site, I am curious what good books are out there on cinematography. I know I can pretty much learn anything I need to on this site thanks to the thousands of helpful users, but I would also like something physical.

I don't need a complete beginners book.... but then again I don't want a book with just a bunch of exposure charts.

Are there any books that you have read that have really helped you, or have been inspiring to you? I understand light (very basically), but when it comes to film I know it is a whole new world. A book that is a good intro to all the tools and terms would be great

I would love to hear which ones out there are worth the money, and which ones are not worth even cracking open.

Thanks again!

 

[Richard S-B]

Another newbie here, but I snagged this list from some other RED users in another thread like this one (searching might net you some more results as well).

http://www.martweiss.com/film/books.shtml

 

[Adam Hebert]

Masters of Light
New Cinematographers
ASC Manual
Painting With Light
Writing With Light
Reflections
AC Magazine
Cinematography - Malkiwiecz / Mullen
Film Lighting - Malkiewicz
Cinematography - Brown
Setting Up Your Shots

Most of those are probably mentioned in that link

 

[Brandon Fraley]

FYI, while i don't think it can hurt to read as much as possible, I've never found a cinematography book that I found terribly helpful. If your just starting, I think your time is much better spent out shooting with a few lights. ANy camera with manual controls should work and a histogram or light meter will be helpful.

just my humble opinion.

 

[Adam Hebert]

Brandon is definitely right, but if you want to learn as much as you can about the equipment / techniques before you get exposed to them I don't think it would hurt to read up and help formulate your own strategies.

 

[Benjamin Scot]

FYI, while i don't think it can hurt to read as much as possible, I've never found a cinematography book that I found terribly helpful. If your just starting, I think your time is much better spent out shooting with a few lights. ANy camera with manual controls should work and a histogram or light meter will be helpful.

just my humble opinion.

I also totally agree with you. I learned everything I know about photography on my own, and have come a long way with it.

I am not asking for books that dictate 'the only way to do things'... but I do need help with the terms, and some other basics that are overlooked by professionals daily.

For example...I had to google 'DI' because it was used everywhere and was never explained. Of course when I found out what it was I knew exactly what they were talking about and knew how it fit.... but there are just things like that that I do not know!

A friend gave me 'Cinematography' and just the first few glimpses had me learning a lot.

Its sort of like finally reading the manual to something you have been using for years and realizing 'I can do that!'

 

[Benjamin Scot]

Masters of Light
New Cinematographers
ASC Manual
Painting With Light
Writing With Light
Reflections
AC Magazine
Cinematography - Malkiwiecz / Mullen
Film Lighting - Malkiewicz
Cinematography - Brown
Setting Up Your Shots

Most of those are probably mentioned in that link

I'll check some of these out! Thanks a bunch for the list

My friend gave me 'Cinematography - Malkiwiecz / Mullen'

pretty good so far!