Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 The first book anyone interested in shooting should buy October 14, 2008
This book was the text used in my first production class in college while pursuing my Journalism degree. This book and that class made me realize early on that I wanted to be behind the camera instead of in front of it. That was 1992. I'm now a Production Manager and Senior Editor making training videos for the US Army. We have 23 field shooters, most of which came to us with little to no experience. I've been at my job for 10 years now, and to this day, this book is the first thing we give to our new videographers in training them. It is written in a simple and to the point manner. It's not flashy by any stretch of the imagination, but when you need to convey simple principles like the "rule of thirds", depth of field, focal length, and other basic principles-- this book is indispensable. If you can still find a copy and need a quick, easy to read and digest guide to the fundamentals of harnessing light with a lens, this book is still on the top of my list.
simple July 27, 2008
It's pretty incredible that a book could be so short and so effective. This was used as the 'textbook' for a graduate-level cinematography course I took at USC, and it was all we needed to complement our hands-on work. I wish every beginner photographer/filmmaker was *required* to read this, it would save them from so many common mistakes...
So simple. Very effective. July 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was a requirement at my classes when I went to USC film school. Everyone loved it. I knew nothing about camerawork, composition or the basics, and this book just taught the essential tools and tricks to get started. If you're interested in making movies or camerawork, this book is your first stop. I loved it so much, it inspired me to write The Bare Bones Book of Screenwriting
Excellent Resource May 18, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Unlike many training books The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video does not attempt to suggest what camera you should buy, nor does it tell you how to shoot Aunt Alice's 80th birthday party. This book, in its 89 pages, is a beautiful example of a subject that has been pared down to the essential information needed to learn it----and the subject is how to operate your video camera to get the best images you can.
The book's table of contents lists eight sections:
Basics (such as camera functions, lenses, depth of field)
Composition
Basic Sequence
Screen Direction
Camera Moves
Montages
Lighting
Doing It (how to plan for a shoot)
Each section is covered concisely, and there are over 200 simple, but effective, black and white line art illustrations to accompany the topic being discussed. This book is perfect for the person who wants to concentrate on improving their video camera operating skills.
The best beginners book out there May 11, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of the simplest, and best books I've ever seen for beginner filmmakers. It is able to very clearly explain complicated concepts, without writing any more than necessary. It's a very slender book, and a very quick read, and well worth your time.
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