Quotes about Cinematography: Words of inspiration

From American Cinematographer, The Last Great War by Christopher Probst (August 1998)
“I’m learning more and more about lighting...But you have to be encouraged by the directors. They allow you make the choices that take the movies to a different level. Directors can allow cinematographers to advance to another level, because we all have that capability in us. Some are so scared of taking risks that they won’t allow their cinematographers to try something new. But you can create such powerful and meaningful images by taking chances... We’ve all got the ability to do groundbreaking work, and nothing is stopping us from using very experimental techniques in a major Hollywood movie if the subject matter allows it and the director is willing to go there.”

- Janusz Kaminski
Click to expand...

A great quote. When choosing your projects... ALWAYS closely examine the director, his willingness to trust and take risks. Your relationship should be well understood well before the camera rolls.

Just realize, that when that trust is given and the risks are taken you know what the f#$k you are doing and do it well. That is our job.
 
I have no imagination at all. I see beauty in the world and frame it correctly. -Akira Kurosawa
Click to expand...

Not technically a director of photography, but still a master of the craft. Maybe even THE master.
 
Another for the young film students on these boards:

"I encourage film students who are interested in cinematography to study sculpture, paintings, music, writing and other arts. Filmmaking consists of all the arts combined. Students are always asking me for advice, and I tell them that they have to be enthusiastic, because it's hard work. The only way to enjoy it is to be totally immersed. If you don't get involved on that level, it could be a very miserable job. I only have one regret about my career: I'm sorry that we are not making silent movies any more. That is the purest art form I can imagine."

- Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC
Click to expand...
 
...You can sit down and discuss how to shoot a film with him [director] long before you start it. So when the heat of battle occurs, you don't have to stop then to reload the riffle. You can take your shot and it'll be right.

- Bill Butler, ASC
Click to expand...

Clever analogy about being thoroughly prepared before a shoot. So when sh*t hits the fan, you don't have to stop, discuss, and figure out camera movement, lens selection and etc. By a thorough preproduction and understanding the directors vision, you can proceed and make calls without having to lose your way.
 
Analogy regarding the tendency for beginning cinematographers using many lights because it's available to them:

... I think it's wrong to think that because you have a lot of paint you're going to get a good painting. You can have a wonderful painting with just one color. I mean, children can show you that in a child's drawing. They'll stick to particular colors and it looks wonderful. Picasso loved to do that.

John Alonzo, ASC
Click to expand...
 
Oh man. Has it really been over two years?!

Thought I would add to this:

The ever-present challenge for the director of photography is how to give each new picture a new and different camera treatment-- a fresh viewpoint, camera-wise. Lest he repeat himself and fall back on old techniques, the cinematographer is continually challenged to dig deep into his bag of tricks so that his photographic technique does not become stagnant.

- Boris Kaufman, ASC
Click to expand...

-This quote is even more profound when you know it's context. This quote is the first paragraph from an article written by Boris, regarding the film he had just finished for Sidney Lumet, called 12 Angry Men. A film that takes place 95% within one small room. I just finished re-watching it today, and it still holds up from when I first had seen it as a teenager! Even then, I liked it, which is rare for a teenager to like a film from the 1950's. The camera work is indeed spectacular. Especially the first shot within the jury room... one seven minute take which moves around the room and gives an introduction to each character via small interactions and small talk.

You can watch the entire film on YouTube for free. I suggest you do, if you've never seen it.
 
I couldn't agree with you more. 12 Angry Men is an amazing film. Although, Lumet had directed lots of television, I think it was his first time directing a commercially released film. Fine performances and that camera work: making one hot, humid room stay interesting for the full film. As I recall, it is also one of those classical dramas (as in the old Greeks) where it all takes place in real time, just like High Noon. Thanks for the memory.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top