Kind of like a fill light but much more subtle, a bias light illuminates the subject just shy of perception, but when combined with a transient source such as a practical fire light, the image appears to be entirely illuminated by the practical fire light, with all its gradations and dynamics. If you think in… Continue reading A Bias For Lighting-It All Adds Up
Category: Camera
Depth of Modulation and the Dawn of Electronic Cinematography
As a DP at the dawn of electronic cinematography, I was fortunate to work with a company in New Hampshire called VideoTroupe. Now known as “The Troupe”, it was founded by a talented engineer, Fred Conners Sr.. Patient with this young upstart, he schooled him in the business of production, and helped him to discover… Continue reading Depth of Modulation and the Dawn of Electronic Cinematography
The Personality Of A Lens
They are not sexy in the realm of other cinematography technology; no shiny buttons or bows, and only two or three moving parts to manipulate. But oh, how they make our images captivating. I speak of glass; a precise collection of optical science, mechanical ingenuity and a dollop of “secret sauce” that constitutes the modern… Continue reading The Personality Of A Lens
Tools Not Toys
I recently had the honor of leading a number of high school educators through a production workshop as part of the Association of Career and Technical Education of Arizona, Summer Conference 2014. We train the trainer; teachers that train youth in high school programs that prepare students to enter the workforce with the academic and… Continue reading Tools Not Toys
Cine Gear Expo 2014
Inundation of camera floaters using gyros, bungee cords, spring arms, Segways and Porsches, though the telescopic jib arm still reigns supreme given the appropriate budget. Boat loads of rigging for DSLR and small digital cine cameras, with my personal penchant for the aesthetic of Wooden Camera rigs and handheld products. There is an odd rediscovery of ENG, oops, I mean shoulder… Continue reading Cine Gear Expo 2014
Pi Is 3: Painless Cinematography and More
I once made a personal pact to each year learn an additional decimal place of Pi. I stalled out at the 7th decimal place. Why? why not; resolution at seven places far exceeds any granularity I might need. My electronics professor once stated that Pi, for all intents and purposes, is 3. What he really said is… Continue reading Pi Is 3: Painless Cinematography and More
Legendary Cinematographer Of ‘Godfather’ Trilogy Dies At 82
Boston University, College of Communication, 2004. Gordon Willis drops in on my cinematography class, my students unaware of his pending visit. We were in the second half of the semester, when each student chose a scene to recreate. Just so happened it was the eve one lucky student was recreating a scene from The Godfather,… Continue reading Legendary Cinematographer Of ‘Godfather’ Trilogy Dies At 82
What’s In Your Kit
More than too many times, upon talking with potential producers or directors in search of a cinematographer, the first conversation invariably focuses on what gear I have. What gear have I…(cue the sound of the tone arm scratching across vinyl….)? Well…I come with a full set of relevant experience and expertise. Accessories include sensibility, maturity,… Continue reading What’s In Your Kit
Kruse and Demers Paired Again
Off and running on a new documentary with director Dan Kruse of Rising Trunk Productions. This time, the story of Jeff Haskell, a legendary pianist on the Tucson Jazz scene, with more than 30 years of composing and conducting for groups from the Tucson Jazz Orchestra to the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. He is also faculty… Continue reading Kruse and Demers Paired Again
Bob Demers 