Painting With Light

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Cinephiles but not for future Professionals
Review: As a student of film-making, I was somewhat dissapointed by this text. Although it is a wonderful resource for classic film-making technique, it is painfully out of date. I am searching for a book on cinematography which emphasizes creative approaches to lighting, and, what I call "guerilla lighting technique". In other words, fast, cheap, and beautiful. Not everyone has a access to a Hollywood budget and studio shooting conditions. THere is more to lighting than just key, fill, and backlight. Perhaps a book on Troubleshooting?

Rating:
Summary: THE BASES FOR THE BASICS IN CINEMA/VIDEOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE
Review: FILM AND TV NEED TO RETURN TO THE FUNDAMENTAL BASICS IN LIGHTING, IF FOR NO ORTHER REASON THAN TO KNOW HOW TO DEPART CREATIVELY. THE CURRENT TREND IS MORE LIKE AMATURE HOME VIDEO TREATMENT BUT ON A HUGE EXPENDATURE. THERE IS NOTHING OUT OF DATE FOR TRUE ART! GOOD TASTE IS SORELY LACKING. Cordially, A Michigan Filmaker.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a time capsule from the era of Film Noir
Review: I have had a photocopy of a photocopy of this book for about seven years, so I was understandably extatic to learn of the recent reissuing of this long out of print and much sought-after title. For decades, critics have discussed Film Noir as the apex of American film in terms of style as well as content. And Academy Award winner John Alton has long been hailed as perhaps the most important cinematographer of his era. Such was his passion for the art and craft of cinematography that he wrote a book on the subject at a time when such books just were not being written. Painting With Light has great verve and wit, and serves as a very practical how-to exploration of cinema- tography as it existed at the time. But, as such, it is now also a fascinating slice of movie history. In the end, however, I believe it is most valuable as a tool to help the modern cinema- tographer rediscover the texture and mystery brought to the screen in an era when films pulled you in instead of trying to leap out at you. The book co

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for Professionals
Review: I really had to laugh when I read the review of one film school student who was looking for books on lighting that explained how to do lighting "fast, cheap, and beautiful." In that statement lies the failure of todays film schools, and the genius of "Painting with Light".

In filmmaking we are faced with the same Paradigm that faces all industries. The pyramid = Fast, Good, and Cheap. Each of these occupies its own corner of a standard triangle. But here in lies the rub, you can only choose two: good and fast, fast and cheap, cheap and good, etc.

"Painting with Light" comes from an era were most of Hollywood understood this paradigm. Most people in Hollywood, particularly those in "Key" positions knew that good, if not great, lighting took time, and often time took money.

It's an excellent book for those that wish to know more about the general technical requirements of film. Along with "The 5 C's of Cinematography". I would also reccomend, if not require, this book for any aspiring indie filmmaker. Want to make a movie that competes with the majors? Learn what the majors know, and forget what they taught you in film school.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for Professionals
Review: I really had to laugh when I read the review of one film school student who was looking for books on lighting that explained how to do lighting "fast, cheap, and beautiful." In that statement lies the failure of todays film schools, and the genius of "Painting with Light".

In filmmaking we are faced with the same Paradigm that faces all industries. The pyramid = Fast, Good, and Cheap. Each of these occupies its own corner of a standard triangle. But here in lies the rub, you can only choose two: good and fast, fast and cheap, cheap and good, etc.

"Painting with Light" comes from an era were most of Hollywood understood this paradigm. Most people in Hollywood, particularly those in "Key" positions knew that good, if not great, lighting took time, and often time took money.

It's an excellent book for those that wish to know more about the general technical requirements of film. Along with "The 5 C's of Cinematography". I would also reccomend, if not require, this book for any aspiring indie filmmaker. Want to make a movie that competes with the majors? Learn what the majors know, and forget what they taught you in film school.

Rating:
Summary: Old book teaches us new tricks
Review: Originally published in 1949, "Painting With Light" by John Alton was long out of print until the University of California press reissued it in 1995. We would expect that a book by a cinematographer who's heyday was the 1940's & 50's black and white cinema would have nothing to teach us in color movie days. But that expectation would be wrong. The book covers a wide spectrum of the history and craft of cinematography, including the birth of the close-up, special lighting effects, & motion picture theatres. No review could as well convey the exquisite contents of this book than the short blurb from Martin Scorsese printed on the back cover: "The reappearance of this forgotten book -- so insightful and informative -- is a great event for film students and scholars as well as anyone interested in the art of cinematography: its author, John Alton, remains one of the greatest practitioners of that art. From the bright, colorful studio fantasy of 'An American in Paris' to the rich, sinister interiors of 'Slightly Scarlet,' from the sensitive black and white location work of 'The People Against O'Hara' to his powerful noir films with Anthony Mann ('Raw Deal,' 'T-Men,' 'Border Incident') and Joseph H. Lewis 'The Big Combo'). Alton left an indelible mark on his craft as few others have. He truly did paint with light."

Rating:
Summary: Still one of the best manuals on film lighting.
Review: Oscar winning Alton wrote this book years ago, but it still rules among the most interesting books about film lighting, filmmaking, and the perpetual wonders and mysteries of Light. A must, really. Alton's writing is clear, clever and funny

Rating:
Summary: Probably the best book on lighting
Review: This book is an excellent source of information on lighting, from the basics to refining the most professional scenes.