Introduction to Cinematography ― Learning Through Practice

Introduction to Cinematography offers a practical, stage-by-stage guide to the creative and technical foundations of cinematography. Building from a skills-based approach focused on professional practice, author Tania Hoser provides a step-by-step introduction for both cinematographers and camera assistants to the techniques, processes, and procedures of working with cameras, lenses, and light. She provides hands-on insight on negotiating with production constraints and understanding the essentials of the image workflow from shot to distribution, on projects of any scope and budget.

Richly illustrated, the book incorporates exercises and sample scripts throughout, exploring color, speed, movement ‘blocking’ and pacing scenes. As with all areas, the principles and techniques of shaping and controlling light are applied to working with natural light, film lamps, and low budget alternatives. This makes Introduction to Cinematography the perfect newcomer’s guide to learning the skills of cinematography that enables seamless progression from exercises through to full feature shoots. Assessment rubrics provide a framework to measure progress as the reader’s ability to visually interpret scripts and realize the director’s vision develops.

The book also teaches readers:

• To understand and develop the combination of skills and creativity involved in cinematography;
• Photographic principles and how they are applied to control focus exposure, motion blur, and image sharpness;
• To identify the roles and skills of each member of the camera department and how and when each are required during a shoot;
• The order and process of lighting on all scales of productions and the use and application of the four main types of lamps.
• How to use waveforms, false color, and zebras for monitoring and meters for guiding exposure choices;
• The principles of the color wheel, color palettes, and psychological effects of color choices;
• How to shoot for different types of fiction and nonfiction/documentary films and how to apply these skills to other genres of TV and film production;
• Strategies for both starting and progressing your career within cinematography and the camera department.

Tania Hoser started her career as a union apprentice and later worked her way up through the camera grades on feature films and commercials. Tania completed her training at the Royal College of Art, where she won two international cinematography awards and shot six award-winning films. During this time, she also had several television commissions as a writer/director. She has taught film, photography, and cinematography in several countries, including the University of the West Indies, Barbados, and the Abu Dhabi Women’s College, United Arab Emirates.