Moving Images, Understanding Media

Chapter 4 Storytelling with Light 137

For cinematographers, one of the most important elements of their

artistry is the use of selective focus and the creation of particular depths

of fi eld for diff erent shots and sequences. By focusing on a particular plane

in a shot, the fi lmmakers can draw the attention of the viewer to particular

subjects or areas of importance in a shot. As characters move during a shot,

an assistant to the cinematographer will change the focus setting on the lens

so the actor will remain in focus. As described in Chapter 1, this is called

a focus pull. Th e camera crew can also administer a focus pull to draw our

attention elsewhere. Th is will shift sharpness to a particular element, leaving

a soft er-edged or textured look to another subject or visual feature. Th ese are

all important considerations when deciding on the recording medium and

the tools that will be used by a cinematographer.

Measuring and Controlling Light

When cinematographers prepare to photograph a shot, they may use a light

meter to measure the light that is on the subjects of the shot or they may use

measurements available through a digital viewfi nder. Cinematographers can

face the source of illumination and use an incident light meter to measure

the light source or they can measure the light as it refl ects off the scene with

refl ected light meters (which include the spot meter). Oft en, the amount of light

in various areas of the shot will be diff erent. In order to achieve the proper

exposure for the shot, cinematographers must use their skills to introduce

and measure the desired amount of light throughout the frame, which is

gauged in foot-candles. From the information about the amount of light on

the scene (directly expressed as foot-candles), cinematographers will have

to set the lens and camera for proper exposure. When reading light meters,

cinematographers have typically accessed measurements in foot-candles or

f-stops.

Figure 4-18 Gaffer Eric Blum

measuring the light using

an incident light meter for a

scene in Of Men and Angels,

while Director of Photography

Kathleen Beeler stands

behind the camera. (Photo by

Gregg Mancuso, Courtesy http://

http://www.farleyfi lm.com)

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