Cinematography: Theory and Practice
For Cinematographers and Directors
Blain Brown(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
5th Edition
Will be published approx. on 12. November 2026
Book
Hardback
506 pages
978-1-032-95337-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book covers both the artistry and craftsman ship of cinematography and visual storytelling. Few art forms are as tied to their tools and technology as is cinematography. Take your mastery of these new tools, techniques, and roles to the next level with this cutting-edge roadmap from author and filmmaker Blain Brown.
This 5th edition has been thoroughly updated throughout to include detailed information on the latest lighting and camera equipment, as well as expanded and updated discussion on the following areas: shooting on a budget, color spaces with emphasis on the new UHD standards, the decision-making process in choosing what lights and equipment to use, considerations concerning power issues, safety and what electrical supply is needed for various types of lights, an examination of the cinematographer's role in preproduction, and much more.
Whether you are a student of filmmaking, someone just breaking into the business, working in the field and looking to move up the ladder, or an experienced filmmaker updating your knowledge of tools and techniques, this book provides both the artistic background of visual language and also the craft of shooting for continuity, lighting tools and methods, and the technical side of capturing images on digital or on film. It also emphasizes "what every director should know about cinematography, and what every cinematographer should know about working with the director."
Topics include:
* Visual storytelling
* Methods of shooting a scene
* Continuity and coverage
* The tools and basics of film lighting
* Using lenses for storytelling
* Exposure
* Color
* Cameras and digital sensors
* Understanding digital images
* Using linear, gamma, and log video
* Image control and grading on the set
* Data management and the DIT
* Optics and focus
* Camera movement
* Set operations
* Greenscreen, high speed, special effects
* Shooting for V
The companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/brown) features additional material, including lighting demonstrations, basic methods of lighting, methods of shooting a scene, continuity and coverage, dealing with daylight, using diffusion, color control, and other topics.
This 5th edition has been thoroughly updated throughout to include detailed information on the latest lighting and camera equipment, as well as expanded and updated discussion on the following areas: shooting on a budget, color spaces with emphasis on the new UHD standards, the decision-making process in choosing what lights and equipment to use, considerations concerning power issues, safety and what electrical supply is needed for various types of lights, an examination of the cinematographer's role in preproduction, and much more.
Whether you are a student of filmmaking, someone just breaking into the business, working in the field and looking to move up the ladder, or an experienced filmmaker updating your knowledge of tools and techniques, this book provides both the artistic background of visual language and also the craft of shooting for continuity, lighting tools and methods, and the technical side of capturing images on digital or on film. It also emphasizes "what every director should know about cinematography, and what every cinematographer should know about working with the director."
Topics include:
* Visual storytelling
* Methods of shooting a scene
* Continuity and coverage
* The tools and basics of film lighting
* Using lenses for storytelling
* Exposure
* Color
* Cameras and digital sensors
* Understanding digital images
* Using linear, gamma, and log video
* Image control and grading on the set
* Data management and the DIT
* Optics and focus
* Camera movement
* Set operations
* Greenscreen, high speed, special effects
* Shooting for V
The companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/brown) features additional material, including lighting demonstrations, basic methods of lighting, methods of shooting a scene, continuity and coverage, dealing with daylight, using diffusion, color control, and other topics.
Reviews / Votes
'"t's been a painful transition from film to digital for many cinematographers. Brown takes the mystery out of it and presents the technical aspects of this change seamlessly. It is, after all, about art!"Judy Irola, ASC, Conrad Hall Chair in Cinematography and Color Timing, USC School of Cinematic Arts
"As a practicing cinematographer who also teaches, I consider The Filmmaker's Guide to Digital Imaging essential reading for my students. Blain Brown demystifies the technical processes of digital cinematography from the most basic to the more complex. Given the recent rapid development in this field, working professionals too will find this is a must-have guide. I'm one of them."
Anthony Jannelli, Head of Graduate Cinematography, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
"Just when you think a textbook can't get any better, Brown comes up with this. Explanatory diagrams and illustrations from films give insight into the thought process and methods of the cinematographer. Brown illuminates both the large gestures and the finer points of the art and craft of cinematography."
James Henderson, Filmmaker/photographer/educator
"This is a welcome updated version of Cinematography: Theory and Practice, which keeps the traditional approaches to camerawork, and includes additional chapters on technological developments, such as Cameras, Image Control including a section on LUTs, and DIT & Workflow. This is an essential book for teaching camera techniques to students in the changing world of cinematography technologies."
Jeremy Bubb, Chair of NAHEMI; Filmmaker, and Academic
More details
Edition
5th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate and Undergraduate Core
Illustrations
936 Farbfotos bzw. farbige Rasterbilder, 936 farbige Abbildungen
936 Halftones, color; 936 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-032-95337-3 (9781032953373)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 11/2026
5th Edition
Routledge
€83.50
Not yet published
Previous edition

Book
09/2021
4th Edition
Routledge
€235.58
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Blain Brown has been in the film business for over 30 years, working as a director of photography, director, screenwriter, producer, and editor. Before becoming a DP/Director, he worked as a lighting technician, gaffer, and grip. He has written, directed, and photographed feature films, commercials, music videos, and corporate videos. He has taught at several film schools in the Los Angeles area, including Columbia College, UCLA, Los Angeles Film School, and AFI. He studied architecture and planning at MIT, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. His other books include The Basics of Filmmaking: Screenwriting, Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Audio, & Editing, Motion Picture and Video Lighting (3rd edition), and The Filmmaker's Guide to Digital Imaging.
Content
1. Telling Stories with Pictures 2. Frame & Composition 3. Texture 4. 04 Continuity & POV 5. Shooting Methods 6. Lighting Sources 7. Lighting Fundamentals 8. Lighting the Scene 9. Controlling light 10. The Lens 11. Motion 12. Color 13. Cameras & Sensors 14. Measuring Digital 15. Exposure 16. Linear, Gamma, Log 17. Technical Issues 18. The Process 19. Case studies