Chapter 1
Painting with light: the core tools of the cinematographer
Chapter 2
Moving the audience: camera movement and the psychology of the shot
Chapter 3
Legendary world masters: the DPs who defined cinema's look
Chapter 4
The evolution of the image: from shadows to digital canvas
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret painters of cinema
Ch 1 · Painting with light: the core tools of the cinematographer
andy Painting with Light
We slide a wooden cookie right in front of the beam To paint a dappled shadow like a forest in a dream
andy During the 1956 production of Aparajito, Subrata Mitra simulated soft daylight inside a studio by bouncing lights off
Fun Fact
The Matrix green: The iconic green tint in 'The Matrix' was inspired by the phosphor glow of old, monochrome computer screens.
Glossary
chiaroscuro (noun)
The treatment of light and shade in drawing, painting, or photography. Cinematographer John Alton used this high contrast technique to define the style of 1940s film noir classics.
The treatment of light and shade in drawing, painting, or photography. Cinematographer John Alton used this high contrast technique to define the style of 1940s film noir classics.
Quiz
Which lens focal length would a cinematographer use to make a small room appear much larger?
Quiz
What software is most commonly associated with professional color grading in modern film post-production?
Quiz
What color tint did cinematographers intentionally apply to the digital world in the 1999 film 'The Matrix'?
Quiz
How does a telephoto lens (such as a 135mm lens) affect the visual depth of a film frame?
Quiz
In classic three-point lighting, which light source provides the primary illumination on the subject?
Quiz
What visual strategy involves dividing a camera frame with a three-by-three grid to balance elements?