Behind the Lens: Dispatches from the Cinematographic Trenches

Featured topics include:

*Tech, including the fundamentals of how digital images are formed and how they evolved to match the look of a film, as well as image compression and control

*Optics, providing a thorough examination of lenses and lens interchangeability, depth of field, filters, flare, quality, MTF, and more

*Cameras, instructing you in using exposure tools, ISO, white balance, infrared, and stabilizers

*Lighting, featuring advice on using lighting sources and fixtures and how to tackle common lighting problems

Additional tips and tricks cover improving audio, celestial photography, deciding if film school is right for you, and much more.

For over a decade Jay Holben has worked as a director of photography in Los Angeles on features, commercials, television shows, and music videos. He is a former technical editor and frequent contributing writer for American Cinematographer, the current technical editor and columnist for Digital Video, and the lighting columnist for TV Technology. The author of A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget, Holben is also on faculty for the Global Cinematography Institute. He is now an independent producer and director.