The Cinematography Bookshelf: 25 Books & Magazines For The Aspiring Cinematographer
I Think We're Alone Now - Directed and Shot by Reed Morano, ASC
Welcome to the first installment of a new series on my blog, Essential Resources for Aspiring Cinematographers. In this series, I’ll be sharing my curated lists of tools, books, podcasts, and more to help new cinematographers expand their knowledge and elevate their skills.
As a cinematographer, I’m frequently asked for recommendations on resources that can help aspiring cinematographers deepen their understanding of the craft and the film industry as a whole. To make things easier, I’ve put together a curated list of insightful books and magazines that will offer a wealth of knowledge for cinematographers at any stage of their career. I am a huge proponent of spending your free time learning and developing your skills and understanding of the craft, especially during periods when work is slow.
I believe that, along with other educational media sources like podcasts and videos, books remain an essential resource for learning about cinematography. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, the following list covers everything from fundamental techniques to in-depth insights from conversations with seasoned professionals.
In this first post, I’ve compiled a selection of 25 books and magazines for cinematographers that cover everything from film theory and lighting techniques to interviews with some of the industry’s top cinematographers. My goal with sharing these resources is to provide a comprehensive foundation for both new cinematographers and experienced industry veterans looking to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking, and cinematography in particular.
Magazines
American Cinematographer Magazine
One of the best resources available to learn from the film industry’s leading cinematographers.
British Cinematographer Magazine
A premier magazine in the UK, this publication focuses on the art of cinematography. It features interviews with world-renowned cinematographers, behind-the-scenes insights, and the latest technology trends in filmmaking
ICG Magazine
Published by the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600), ICG Magazine highlights the work of union cinematographers across film and television. It includes detailed interviews, set visits, and features on the latest cinematography techniques and tools.
Camera Operator Magazine (SOC)
Camera Operator magazine, published quarterly by the SOC, features engaging and informative articles written by operators for operators focusing on the art and craft of the camera operator. It covers behind-the-scenes experiences of top television and feature film camera operators and their relationship to others on the production team, as well as on set etiquette and advice, technical how-tos, profiles of members, and reviews and discussion of tools and technologies relevant to the profession of the operator.
Filmmaker Magazine
While not exclusively focused on cinematography, Filmmaker Magazine offers valuable insights into the world of independent filmmaking, including interviews with cinematographers, reviews of camera technology, and articles on creative approaches to visual storytelling.
Technical Guides
American Cinematographer Manual
M. David Mullen, ASC
This book is a must-have for cinematographers looking to expand their knowledge of the craft.
The Camera Assistant's Manual
David Elkins
One of the best resources for learning the ins-and-outs of camera assisting. The Camera Assistant’s Manual covers the basics of cinematography and provides you with the multi-skill set needed to maintain and transport a camera, troubleshoot common problems on location, prepare for job interviews, and work with both film and digital technologies. Illustrations, checklists, and tables accompany each chapter and highlight the daily workflow of an Assistant Cameraman (AC), with expanded sections on problems and troubleshooting, updated formulas, tables, and checklists, as well as new information on the differences between working in the United States and UK and additional information on working with digital technology.
Cinematography: Theory and Practice
Blain Brown
Cinematography: Theory and Practice covers both the artistry and craftsmanship 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. Whether you are a student of filmmaking, just breaking into the business, currently working in the industry and looking to move up to the next level, or an experienced professional who wants to update their knowledge of tools and techniques, this book provides both a basic introduction to these issues as well as more advanced and in-depth coverage of the subject.
Shotcraft: Lessons, Tips & Techniques on the Art and Science of Cinematography
Jay Holben
This book features a curated selection from the first five years of SHOT CRAFT articles from American Cinematographer magazine providing insights on: cinematography fundamentals, formats, exposure, lighting & electricity, optics, travel & locations, filmmaking techniques, relationships, communication & career. An extraordinary book for the film student and refresher for the seasoned pro - SHOT CRAFT is written in an easy-to-read tone that explains the technical and complicated in simple language. It is a collection of lessons, tips & techniques that is a must-have for everyone working in the art of visual storytelling in motion pictures.
The Cine Lens Manual
Jay Holben
A comprehensive examination of the art and science of cinema optics. Written in clear, easily-digestible language, and extensively illustrated, The Cine Lens Manual is designed for readers of all levels of experience from novice to expert.
Lighting for Cinematography: A Practical Guide to the Art and Craft of Lighting for the Moving Image
David Landau
Lighting for Cinematography is the indispensable guide for film and video lighting. Written by veteran gaffer and cinematographer David Landau, the book helps the reader create lighting that supports the emotional moment of the scene, contributes to the atmosphere of the story and augments an artistic style. Structured to mimic a 14 week semester, the chapters cover such things as lighting for movement, working with windows, night lighting, lighting the three plains of action and non-fiction lighting. Every chapter includes stills, lighting diagrams and key advice from professionals in the field, as well as lighting exercises to help the reader put into practice what was covered.
The Five C’s of Cinematography
Joseph V. Mascelli
With the aid of photographs and diagrams, this text concisely presents concepts and techniques of motion picture camerawork and the allied areas of film-making with which they interact with and impact. Included are discussions on: cinematic time and space; compositional rules; and types of editing.
Shot In The Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget
Jay Holben
A creative manual for filmmakers working on a tight budget, with inventive lighting solutions to achieve professional-quality work.
Master Shots: 100 Advanced Camera Techniques to Get An Expensive Look on your Low Budget Movie
Christopher Kenworthy
Master Shots gives filmmakers the techniques they need to execute complex, original shots on any budget. By using powerful master shots and well-executed moves, you can develop a strong style and stand out from the crowd.
The Camera Assistant
Douglas Hart
Veteran camera assistant Doug Hart describes in this comprehensive technical guide all of the important facets and duties of the first and second camera assistants' jobs. Whether it is feature films, episodic television, documentaries, commercials, or music videos, The Camera Assistant: A Complete Professional Handbook explains both the practice and theory behind it with a concentration on technique rather than equipment. In addition, personal anecdotes from the author's years behind and beside the camera provide insight into this demanding field.
Industry Insights and Interviews
Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematographic Trenches
Jay Holben
Filmmaker Jay Holben has been battling in the production trenches for most of his life. For the past 17 years, he’s chronicled his adventures in the pages of American Cinematographer, Digital Video, Videography, and TV Technology. Now, in Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematic Trenches, he’s compiled nearly 100 of his best articles on everything from camera technology and lenses to tips and techniques for better lighting. Whether you’re making independent films, commercials, music videos, documentaries, television shows, event videos, or industrials, this full color collection provides the tools you need to take your work to the next level and succeed in the world of digital motion imaging.
FilmCraft: Cinematography
Tim Grierson, Mike Goodridge
The first in the FilmCraft Series, this book covers the complex craft of cinematography through discussions with notable cinematographers, like Vittorio Storaro and Christopher Doyle. With stills, photos from the sets, and in-depth exploration of both iconic and contemporary projects, from Psycho and the French New Wave classic The Week End to Chicago and Zhang Yimou's saga Hero. Get access to celebrated professionals, who provide you with the perspective to think like the pros and create compelling visual stories.
A Man With A Camera
Nestor Almendros
Acclaimed cinematographer Nestor Almendros discusses his technical and aesthetic approaches to cinematography in forty of his films and profiles some of the major stars and directors he has worked with.
New Cinematographers
Alex Ballinger
"New Cinematographers" showcases six prominent contemporary cinematographers whose visions shape today's films. The book includes studies of each cinematographer's work, illustrated with stills, lighting charts, and storyboards, demonstrating their aesthetic vision in film. It also features a resource section, an annotated bibliography, and a technical glossary.
Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers
Dennis Schaefer, John Bailey, Larry Salvato
Through conversations held with fifteen of the most accomplished contemporary cinematographers, the authors explore the working world of the person who controls the visual look and style of a film. This reissue includes a new foreword by cinematographer John Bailey and a new preface by the authors, which bring this classic guide to cinematography, in print for more than twenty-five years, into the twenty-first century.
Reflections: Twenty-One Cinematographers at Work
Benjamin Bergery, John Bailey
An in-depth examination of the techniques and films of some of the world’s greatest cinematographers.
Parking Lots I’ve Eaten In: My Life as a camera operator in Hollywood
Owen Marsh, SOC
Owen Marsh spent his childhood on movie sets of his cinematographer father Oliver T. Marsh, ASC and his violinist mother who played mood music just off camera during the silent movie era. Owen's career spans some of the most iconic movie productions in the world, from "How The West Was Won" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told" to the ever-popular TV series' "The Brady Bunch" and "Beauty and The Beast." Within these covers Owen describes the people, places and situations he had experienced firsthand - and with a sense of humor, wit and truth that is undeniable. One our industry's premiere storytellers, Owen Marsh, SOC.
Conversations with Darius Khondji
Jordan Mintzer
”Conversations with Darius Khondji” is one of the only books of its kind to be fully devoted to the life and work of a sole cinematographer, offering a journey through the past fifty years of cinema with one of the greatest directors of photography who helped revolutionize the art form through his work on both Hollywood films and art-house movies in Europe and Asia.
Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers
Jacqueline Frost
Packed with gems of wisdom from the current 'masters of light’, this collection of conversations with twenty leading contemporary cinematographers provides invaluable insight into the art and craft of cinematography. Interviews include Maryse Alberti, John Bailey, Robert Elswit, Kirsten Johnson, Kira Kelly, Ellen Kuras, Edward Lachman, Matthew Libatique, John Lindley, Seamus McGarvey, Reed Morano, Polly Morgan, Rachel Morrison, Rodrigo Prieto, Cynthia Pusheck, Harris Savides, Nancy Schrieber, John Seale, Sandi Sissel, Dante Spinotti, Salvatore Totino, Amy Vincent and Mandy Walker. Filled with valuable information and advice for aspiring cinematographers, directors, and filmmakers, this is essential reading for anyone interested in the art and craft of cinematography.
Film Lighting: Talks with Hollywood’s Cinematographers and Gaffers
Kris Malkiewicz
An indispensible book for the aspiring and practicing cinematographer, based on extensive interviews with leading cinematographers and gaffers in the film industry.
Author’s note: I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) for any books purchased through Amazon. All commissions go toward supporting the blog.
For your convenience, I've also compiled all these recommended books in one place on my Amazon storefront for easy access and purchase. I will be regularly updating this store front as I discover more books as well, so please check back regularly for updates!
While reading up on the craft is incredibly beneficial, it's equally important to get out there and apply what you learn on set. These books offer a fantastic foundation, but it’s important to continue to seek out opportunities to put your knowledge into practice. Whether you're interested in the technical aspects, creative approaches, or industry insights, this list provides a wealth of information to support your growth as a cinematographer.
If you have any recommendations of great books you’ve found useful, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Be sure to check back next week for the next installment of Essential Resources for Aspiring Cinematographers, where I’ll be sharing 30 of my favorite filmmaking and cinematography podcasts. Whether you're looking for technical tips or industry insights, these podcasts are packed with valuable tips to help you grow as a cinematographer!