An Introduction to the Science of Cinematography Fundamentals of Light, Color, and Vision

Introduction: How to Use this Book  Fundamentals: “First Study Science”  0. Art & Science: Method, Process, and Practice  1. Light & Illumination  2. Geometric Optics  3. Color  4. Vision  5. Art & Science in Complementarity  6. Appendices  7. Glossary

Biography

J. Gordon Arkenberg is an Adjunct Instructor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, USA, and a professional cinematographer. His work as a cinematographer includes features, documentaries as well as the psychological thriller Deadwax, released by ShudderTV. He has also served as the 1st Assistant Camera on Saturday Night Live’s Film Unit since Season 42. He lives and works in New York City.

“In a world of quick fixes and dwindling technique – Arkenberg is a beacon of hope. He is a generous and compelling teacher with a wealth of knowledge who invites and inspires us to cultivate our own. His book is invaluable not only to cinematographers, but to anyone in the visual arts who wants to grow their holistic understanding behind what they are wishing to communicate to their audience. By drawing deeply from the wisdom of the past Arkenberg provides the fundamentals and tools for us to energize the future.”

Robert Eggers, Writer and director of The Witch and Nosferatu.

“To create fresh work, I try to look beyond the trends and entrenched methods of cinematography, and toward the history and techniques of photography at large. Arkenberg has bested me by far, refreshing anew the very fundamentals of human visual understanding, that are long taken for granted and overlooked. It transforms mundane rules into something very much alive and full of fresh possibility. By revitalizing these early inspirations, one's expression as a technician and artist can expand exponentially.”

Jarin Blaschke, ASC, cinematographer for The Lighthouse and Nosferatu.

“J. Gordon Arkenberg takes readers on a journey through the history of optics, color and vision. Rather than just recounting theories, [he] invites the reader to replicate the landmark experiments that are the basis for our evolving conceptions, and artist’s depictions of reality. It is especially useful as a guiding text for instructors in the arts who want to incorporate science combined with  hands on experimentation into their curriculum. From the earliest observations of nature’s most fundamental force to the sophisticated application of light in modern imagery, this book is a hands-on exploration of the physics that allow us to see—and capture—the world.”

Mark Jenkinson, Assistant Arts Professor, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Photography and Imaging, author of The Portrait Photography Course, and Photography Careers: Finding Your True Path

“An absolute brilliant text! A deep dive into the magical realm of pure science, physics and voodoo that is the foundation of cinematography. Gordon Arkenberg out-nerds us all – in the way that only the best teachers can do – and the result is pure inspiration. This will be a treasured resource for me (and countless others) for a long, long time.”

Jay Holben, Director/Producer, Contributing Technical Editor, American Cinematographer magazine, author of The Cine Lens Manual, Shot Craft, Lessons from American Cinematographer 

“It’s rare to find a practitioner of cinematography that has deep knowledge of the philosophy of color and a gift for language and intuitive explanations. But it gets better: Arkenberg invites his readers to build and perform hands-on experiments that make the concepts of cinematography visceral. This book is a once-in-a-generation invitation to students and cinematographers to extend their knowledge. I highly recommend it.”

Charles Poynton, PhD, author of Digital Video and HD Algorithms and Interfaces