cinematography Best books on shot composition?

Liv · Dec 27, 2013

In your opinion, what are some good books on framing and shot composition. I know there are plenty of good books on filmmaking in general, but I'm looking for something that specifically deals with these two things

Thank you!

tokenwhiteboy · Dec 27, 2013

Not sure you need a book.

Just watch movies and press pause now and again.

Oh... and watch this...

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70261400?strkid=267545071_0_0&trkid=222336&movieid=70261400

sfoster · Dec 28, 2013

i really liked "grammar of the film language" but it contained many sexist drawings.

harmonica44 · Dec 28, 2013

It's also up to personal taste, on what you think would be best for your particular movie. Different movies have different shots and composition ideas, and it's best to pic a movie that has your favorite style to follow, rather than the style that a book tells you to.

Jooble · Dec 28, 2013

I agree watch loads of films, watch the stylistic ones, the ones that are different and get your own ideas on composition that start from looking at others. One of my personal favs is The Dammed United. Got some intresting stuff in there.

Jeff Troiano · Dec 28, 2013

Not a book, but a great video training series. I've learned a lot from it.

http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.us/mc_index.html

Sweetie · Dec 28, 2013

I'll second HCW. It's very dry, but if you can get past that, it's a good tutorial.

baoliun · Dec 29, 2013

"5c's of cinematography" all you need

gpforet · Jan 1, 2014

The grammer of the shot by Roy Thompson.

Liv said:
In your opinion, what are some good books on framing and shot composition. I know there are plenty of good books on filmmaking in general, but I'm looking for something that specifically deals with these two things

Thank you!

tokenwhiteboy · Jan 1, 2014

http://www.ascmag.com/store/product.php?productid=16677

8salacious9 · Jan 1, 2014

a book won't teach you talent, try emulating your favourite scenes then adding your own flavour then understand what you have done and how you could do it better.

sfoster · Jan 1, 2014

8salacious9 said:
a book won't teach you talent, try emulating your favourite scenes then adding your own flavour then understand what you have done and how you could do it better.

yeah who ever learned anything from a book anyway :weird:

tokenwhiteboy · Jan 1, 2014

You would be surprised at the number of people I have worked with and taught, who have watched TVs and movies all of their lives, but still don't know how to frame a shot or even replicate a scene in a cinematic style.

knightly · Jan 2, 2014

This whole "wide book" series. I love them, I keep them on set as quick references to help communicate to folks less experienced who have joined our sets.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=master+shots