The Most Essential Books on Cinematography
Cinematographer Style Volume 1 and 2
by Jon Fauer
This book contains 55 of the 110 interviews from the feature-length documentary Cinematographer Style. The lesson from these interviews is that there is no textbook for cinematography. It is an art, like painting, writing, or composing. No two artists express themselves in exactly the same way.
My Take...
You get first-hand knowledge of how cinematic style is born and developed through discussions with some of the best DPs like Roger Deakins, Bill Pope, Nancy Schreiber, John Seale, Haskell Wexler, Gordon Willis, and many more. Find the book here.
The 5 Cs of Cinematography
by Joseph V. Mascelli
With the aid of photographs and diagrams, this text concisely presents concepts and techniques of motion picture camerawork and the allied areas of film-making with which they interact with and impact. Included are discussions on cinematic time and space; compositional rules; and types of editing.
My Take...
The 5 Cs include camera angle, continuity, cutting, close-up, and composition. The book is a bit old-time, but the concepts and principles still remain, as they always will. Find the book here.
Cinematography: Theory and Practice
by Blaine Brown
Cinematography: Theory and Practice covers both the artistry and craftsmanship of cinematography and visual storytelling. Few art forms are as tied to their tools and technology as is cinematography. Take your mastery of these new tools, techniques, and roles to the next level with this cutting-edge roadmap from author and filmmaker Blain Brown.
My Take...
A beautiful and massive reference book for all things modern cinematography. They also dive into the technical details of digital image capture and new techniques such as ACES workflow, which was fascinating. Find the book here.
Lighting for Cinematography
by David Landau
Written by veteran gaffer and cinematographer David Landau, the book helps the reader create lighting that supports the emotional moment of the scene, contributes to the atmosphere of the story, and augments an artistic style. Structured to mimic a 14 week semester, the chapters cover such things as lighting for movement, working with windows, night lighting, lighting the three plains of action, and non-fiction lighting. Every chapter includes stills, lighting diagrams, and key advice from professionals in the field, as well as lighting exercises to help the reader put into practice what was covered.
My Take...
David Landau dives into just about every lighting scenario you would possibly cover on your narrative or commercial project. It is certainly a must-read. Find the book here.
Film Lighting: Talks with Hollywood's Cinematographers and Gaffers
by Kris Malkiewicz
Film lighting is a living, dynamic art influenced by new technologies and the changing styles of leading cinematographers. A combination of state-of-the-art technology and in-depth interviews with industry experts, Film Lighting provides an inside look at how cinematographers and film directors establish the visual concept of the film and use the lighting to create a certain atmosphere.
My Take...
Lighting techniques and thoughts from some of the greatest DPs and gaffers such as Janusz Kaminski, Matthew Libatique, Rodrigo Prieto, Harris Savides, and many more. Find the book here.
Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers
by Dennis Schaefer and Larry Salvato
Through 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. This reissue includes a new foreword by cinematographer John Bailey and a new preface by the authors, which bring this classic guide to cinematography, in print for more than twenty-five years, into the twenty-first century.
My Take...
It is a very intimate commentary on how the cinematographer explores feelings using light as a way to express themselves. It's a remarkable book for professionals and cinematography lovers. Conrad Hall ASC is one of the standout chapters in the book. Find the book here.