Bland Videography? I hope not... at DVinfo.net

A. Stone · April 22nd, 2005, 08:55 AM

Hello again HDV community! I must say that I’m incredibly grateful to all those intrepid videographers that have helped answer my rather insipid questions. Well, I have another:

I’ve not nor do I intend to go to film school (I’m too old and I hate structure). I am, however, extremely enthusiastic about learning good/creative video technique. Learning by doing (“trial and error”) is OK, but can become frustrating. Can anyone suggest some good books (or websites) on videography techniques and theory? In particular, I’m having some problems properly exposing moving subjects on bright, reflective water.

Any advice would be most welcome!

Cheers!

Andrew Stone

Dominic Jones · April 22nd, 2005, 10:20 AM

Hi Andrew,

Well, as for the subjects against bright water - use a polirizing filter and try to shoot at a good angle to the sun (or whatever light source is illuminating the said water) - by rotating the filter you should be able to cut down the reflections from the water, and thus the contrast ratio between subject and H20, allowing you to drop the exposure (in order to get the subject exposed correctly) without the highlights blowing out too heavily.

As for books, they're all fairly theoretical in my experience, but "Cinematograohy" by Kris Malkievich is very good (as is the more anecdotal "Film and Lighting Techniques" by the same author) and I would heartily recommend "Painting With Light" by John Alton - very old (circa 1950!) but still very useful and wonderfully written - also one of the few books to be personally penned by a true Hollywood great...

As an aside, if anyone knows of a good book with lighting diagrams complemented by the respective final end shots (editorial irrelevant) I would be most chuffed with a pointer!

Also Andrew - go ask some questions in the Photon Management section of this forum. There's some very skilled and knowledgeable folk over there!

A. Stone · April 22nd, 2005, 10:27 AM

Many thanks! Off to amazon!

Steven Gotz · April 22nd, 2005, 10:57 AM

Also take a look at this:

Nonlinear Editing: Storytelling, Aesthetics and Craft by Bryce Button

Boyd Ostroff · April 22nd, 2005, 10:59 AM

Actually we have a whole forum devoted to books here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=36

April 22nd, 2005, 08:55 AM	#1
A. Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California Posts: 60	Bland Videography? I hope not... Hello again HDV community! I must say that I’m incredibly grateful to all those intrepid videographers that have helped answer my rather insipid questions. Well, I have another: I’ve not nor do I intend to go to film school (I’m too old and I hate structure). I am, however, extremely enthusiastic about learning good/creative video technique. Learning by doing (“trial and error”) is OK, but can become frustrating. Can anyone suggest some good books (or websites) on videography techniques and theory? In particular, I’m having some problems properly exposing moving subjects on bright, reflective water. Any advice would be most welcome! Cheers! Andrew Stone

April 22nd, 2005, 10:57 AM	#4
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Also take a look at this: Nonlinear Editing: Storytelling, Aesthetics and Craft by Bryce Button __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

April 22nd, 2005, 10:20 AM	#2
Dominic Jones Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, England Posts: 225	Hi Andrew, Well, as for the subjects against bright water - use a polirizing filter and try to shoot at a good angle to the sun (or whatever light source is illuminating the said water) - by rotating the filter you should be able to cut down the reflections from the water, and thus the contrast ratio between subject and H20, allowing you to drop the exposure (in order to get the subject exposed correctly) without the highlights blowing out too heavily. As for books, they're all fairly theoretical in my experience, but "Cinematograohy" by Kris Malkievich is very good (as is the more anecdotal "Film and Lighting Techniques" by the same author) and I would heartily recommend "Painting With Light" by John Alton - very old (circa 1950!) but still very useful and wonderfully written - also one of the few books to be personally penned by a true Hollywood great... As an aside, if anyone knows of a good book with lighting diagrams complemented by the respective final end shots (editorial irrelevant) I would be most chuffed with a pointer! Also Andrew - go ask some questions in the Photon Management section of this forum. There's some very skilled and knowledgeable folk over there!

April 22nd, 2005, 10:27 AM	#3
A. Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California Posts: 60	Many thanks! Off to amazon!

April 22nd, 2005, 10:59 AM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Actually we have a whole forum devoted to books here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=36