Tag Archives: dynamic range

COURSE #1 – CINEMATOGRAPHY – TAKING COMMAND OF THE CRAFT – FROM RECORDER TO CREATOR.

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If you are a cinematographer on a plateau, an aspiring cinematographer or a student of cinematography you should take a look at my new online course.

Over a 40 year career I have seen and worked in film, video , HD and Digital. In many cases I helped in the development of the camera systems and filmstocks. All that gives me a pretty good insight into what you need as a Cinematographer to deliver innovative and creative work.

Setting up individual, great looking shots is easy but developing and maintaining lighting continuity and a strong visual style require a special understanding and set of skills.

This course teaches that. CLICK HERE to take a look at the course website.

I have been using the techniques for many years and have “taught” them, in workshops to more than 3000 DP’s worldwide.

If you are so excited you just want to purchase the course at the discounted price Click on this image.

 

Tales From The Darkside revisited.

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Some screen grabs from Tales from the Darkside. Came up during a seminar in which I was using one of the segments as an example of real-time in-shot scene transitions using compound moves, theatrical scrim and lighting techniques. Much more interesting than CGI.darkside2
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Irrefutable Proof – Behind the Scenes

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A great behind the scenes film by 2nd AC Mark Davis completely shot and edited on his iPhone.

Irrefutable Proof – The BTS Mini Movie from Mark Davis on Vimeo.

LED street lighting – “The end of cinema”

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This one gave me a really good laugh.

“Say goodbye to moody Collateral-style movie shots: How LED street lights mean films set at night in LA and across the world will now be bathed in gray” 

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The story appeared in the Daily Mail  and declares movies will never be the same again if global street lighting changes from Sodium Vapor to LED. It was obviously written by someone who was about, well lets just say not too old, or a movie critic, since I recall, not so long ago, lamenting the fact that the world had slowly become bathed in the ugly (and for a cinematographer difficult to control or balance) orange glow of sodium vapor lamps. Purportedly for the same reason everyone now wants to switch to LED…cost saving.

Whatever the reason all I can say is about time. The faster those awful orange sodium vapor lamps disappear the better, as far as I am concerned, and I am reasonably confident many DP’s will agree.

For the writer of the story I am confident there will be plenty of films shot under the new lights and, if an orange glow is required, I am equally confident we DP’s will have a good idea on how to achieve it.

Using Varicon in Digital Cinematography. (text & video post)

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rob draper, acs demonstrates varicon
What is the Varicon?

I have been using the Varicon (on film primarily but also in HD) since it was first produced by Arriflex. It allows me to have maximum control over density AND detail(without the need to set up fill light) in the blacks without any noise penalty.

Continue reading →

Dynamic Range – What’s it all about?

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Dynamic range has become the catchphrase for a whole generation of image makers but many are not sure exactly what it is, what it means or how they can use it. Continue reading →