Lessons from American Cinematographer

Lessons from American Cinematographer 

Lessons, Tips & Techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography

LESSONS FROM AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER: SHARING NEARLY THREE DECADES OF TIPS & TECHNIQUES LEARNED FROM THE WORLD'S TOP CINEMATOGRAPHERS (A SHOT CRAFT COMPANION) compiles excerpts from more than 60 American Cinematographer magazines authored by Jay Holben on films and television photographed by the master cinematographers of the world. Those featured in this book are Don Burgess, ASC, Bill Butler, ASC, Paul Cameron, ASC, Russell Carpenter, ASC, Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC, Caleb Deschanel, ASC, Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS, Janusz Kaminski, Dan Laustsen, ASC, Matthew Libatique, ASC, Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki, ASC, AMC, Wally Pfister, ASC, Philippe Rousselot, ASC, AFC, Linus Sandgren, ASC, Harris Savides, ASC, John Schwartzman, ASC, John Seale, ASC, ACS, Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC ... and many more! Each excerpt features a specific tip or technique learned from that cinematographer by the author and topics covered include: Lighting, Exposure, Camera, Locations, Visual Storytelling, Career / Business, Lenses, Filters, Relationships, Production Design, Visual Effects, Second Unit, Planning and more. This book is like getting your own chance to sit down and learn from these Academy Award, ASC Award and Emmy Award winning cinematographers who are celebrated around the globe. Holben provides context and examples for each of the lessons. This is a unique book and an invaluable collection of insights that cannot be found in this kind of economical collection! Holben's true talents as a technical journalist lie in his ability to extract the tangible learn-today-use-tomorrow information and to break down the incredibly complex into the most simple and intuitive presentation. For any aspiring and veteran cinematographer, this will become an oft-referenced text to take your cinematography to the next level. 

About the author

Jay Holben has been a professional in Hollywood for more than 30 years. Rising through the ranks primarily from electrician to gaffer to cinematographer, Holben has experience in feature films, commercials, documentary, television, music videos, shorts and more. An Associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, Co-Chair of the ASC's Motion Imaging Technology Council, international lecturer and author of four previous books on cinematography: A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Cinematic Lighting on (Almost) No Budget, Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematographic Trenches, The Cine Lens Manual: The Definitive Filmmaker's Guide to the Design, Implementation and History of Motion Picture Optics and American Cinematographer's Shot Craft: Lessons, Tips & Techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography. Holben is a world-renowned expert on the subject of cinematography. Since 1997 he has been a contributing writer for American Cinematographer magazine and in 2017, as contributing technical editor for the publication, he created the SHOT CRAFT series of educational tips and techniques. He is currently an independent director and producer living in Los Angeles who stays extremely active in the world of cinematography.