Picture Composition, Second Edition
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Review
"In 248 pages, Peter has distilled his experience and observations into a well-written and extremely useful book. An industry standard." Zerb Magazine Reviews of the previous edition: "This book covers one aspect of the daily life of a camera operator and it does so very competently and thoroughly. It should be in the bookcase of every operator." Tod Litherland, Television Lighting "If you are approaching our craft at the beginning of your career, this book is indispensable... The industry should thank Peter for producing this 'instant standard'." Tony Grant, Zerb "A must for artists, cinematographers, and writers alike... This book proves that composition can be learned and/or taught." Reader review, Amazon.co.uk
Product Description
Behind each shot there lies an idea or purpose. When setting up a shot, the camera operator can employ a range of visual techniques that will clearly communicate the idea to an audience. Composition is the bedrock of the operator's craft, yet is seldom taught in training courses in the belief that it is an intuitive, personal skill. Peter Ward shows how composition can be learned, to enhance the quality of your work. Based on the author's own practical experience, the book deals with the methods available for resolving practical production questions such as: Does the shot composition accurately reflect the idea that initiated the shot? And, Will the content and method of presenting the subject accurately convey the idea? Major innovations in television and film production since the previous edition have affected the styles of composition, such as wide-screen and the use of mini DV cameras. These new technologies and their implications for picture composition are addressed in this new edition. A new colour plate section is also being included to update the section on colour. If you are a practising camera operator, trainee camera operator, student or lecturer on a television or film production course, or simply a video enthusiast wishing to progress to a more professional standard you will find this book essential in enhancing the quality of your work. You can learn the secrets of successful composition from an experienced camera operator. It is completely rewritten including compositional implications of widescreen, DV cameras, and teaches through varied examples of practical scenarios and problem-solving.
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First Sentence
There have been a number of boy-wonders and young prodigies in the history of film making but the most spectacular debut was when 25-year-old Orson Welles was summoned to RKO in 1939 to make his first movie. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
There have been a number of boy-wonders and young prodigies in the history of film making but the most spectacular debut was when 25-year-old Orson Welles was summoned to RKO in 1939 to make his first movie. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book. Its really takes you through composition right from the beginning. I've been studying film for 5 years now and for someone with advance knowledge of the subject you might not get much from it. On the other hand if you are a beginner than this book will be very useful. If your not a beginner it will still be a good read. I recommend.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Misleading title.
7 Mar 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As someone else has already pointed out, this book is more history than practical advice.
The first eighty pages had some interesting examples and illustrations, but the balance of the book has more to do with the history of the technology than ideas as to how you might compose a film frame. There are chapters dedicated to editing, and the difference between cinemascope and TV, but precious few examples of how you might compose/cover a sequence under different circumstances.
Most of the illustrations are drawings, making the examples (e.g. a zoom vs a tracking shot) frequently worthless. Pictures showing the difference between a close up, medium close up, medium, medium wide, but not much on symetrical vs asymetrical balance... etc.
The author frequently mentions names and movies, but there are no corresponding images to illustrate. I paid $11 (and another $12 for postage!) for my copy and feel misled. Anything more is a rip-off.
If you've never taken a photograph before this might be helpful, but for anyone aware enough to want to study composition should look to Feininger instead.
The first eighty pages had some interesting examples and illustrations, but the balance of the book has more to do with the history of the technology than ideas as to how you might compose a film frame. There are chapters dedicated to editing, and the difference between cinemascope and TV, but precious few examples of how you might compose/cover a sequence under different circumstances.
Most of the illustrations are drawings, making the examples (e.g. a zoom vs a tracking shot) frequently worthless. Pictures showing the difference between a close up, medium close up, medium, medium wide, but not much on symetrical vs asymetrical balance... etc.
The author frequently mentions names and movies, but there are no corresponding images to illustrate. I paid $11 (and another $12 for postage!) for my copy and feel misled. Anything more is a rip-off.
If you've never taken a photograph before this might be helpful, but for anyone aware enough to want to study composition should look to Feininger instead.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
looks outdated
24 Aug 2008
Format:Paperback
Unfortunately the book looks outdated, terrible illustrations. "The visual story" is much more modern in my opiniion and covers the visual subject with lots of color ilustrations.
2 of 10 people found the following review helpful
More history than composition.
12 July 2005
Format:Paperback
While this book does cover composition, most of it is about the history of film and television, and about different styles and genres.
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