Sam Kim

I've never heard anyone explain it that way before. I've always just led myself to believe that if you have the option on the lens go by the T. i've still never seen anyone who's of a younger generation mention footcandles but if evan says so.

i go to school in SF but everyone here who goes into film making goes the indie route. if they go to LA they disappear or start from the bottom (which i might do). but i'm working on my own stuff. i try to do a lot of camera and gaf, besides a good DP needs to understand both right? Chris, I love lighting but I love being near the camera too. But, yes, I do find that when I AC sometimes I do run short on time to observe but I benefit by being closer to the DP and drill some questions and find out how they think. sam

Curious, I've learned to always overexpose by at least 1/3 of a stop when shooting and I was wondering if there was a standard practice you apply to on that. Also, when using smoke, I also noticed you did this on that small indie, under 1 mil $, a lot of blue light movie you recently shot, what kind of smoke are you using? I've used fog machines that were water based but I personally was never happy with the results. Do you use oil based?

what Storaro said really shook me up too when i heard it. it's not really possible to really have just one cogent definition i think because to each it might be a little bit more personal. maybe being older and more experienced it means something completely different than to me who's young and see he two as the same. anyway, it just makes for a really good question to ask him when you do see him in person, right?

geisha was awesome! agree with you on that for sure! that was a slap. haha. very well put sir. You are part ASIAN! haha. Every time i look at your photo i think that but no info anywhere ever suggested it, so i always thought you were one of those guys who just looked the part! =] Have you always lived in LA?

That's sort of a bummer. I've always believed the best way to learn was to be there and to do with someone. Sort of a mentoring environment. I guess it just means you have to do all indie stuff and then come back here to ask the millions of questions that comes up. hahaha. Is there ever a situation where you take on an apprentice and get them a very entry level job on a set?

I go to state and if you're smart you can get take three semesters of production courses (you have your pick, by lottery, amongst editing, directing, cinematography, sound, opitcal printing, documentary etc). State has a lot of theory courses too (we have Bill Nichols, a pioneer in film theory studies, after all) but we're not limited to that. J Bowerbank is correct in calling Academy of Art U a trade/tech school. The masters program there is actually really good from what I hear however it focuses on being hands on. An online MA degree won't do much unless all you want to do is teach in the middle of nowhere university. Cinematography is a hands on technical art. Being somewhere physically is the best benefit. If you want to do it online though, just don't get rid off. Dont' pay $2000 for online tuitiion and then $500 for books and supplies when you could pay $50-$100 for a book that teaches much of what you can learn. If you want to learn cinematography do and fail a lot. You learn a lot doing that. =]

Is there anything you recommend to those who want to practice it but don't have the big bucks to get all the fancy lights and equipment?

of course it's possible you just have to accept the loss in quality like stated by everyone. BUT, your point was that this is a great way for beginning cinematographers and you're absolutely. some film schools will have telecine machines which is a real added benefit. so yes, great way just understand what you're losing. for some films it might actually be better depending on what mood, lighting and color your going for because at the end of it all it's not good enough just to look good... it must serve and compliment the story.

Does anyone know if DPs still take on apprentices to teach the light and dark side of cinematography? Visions of Light and the new Cinematographer Style mentions DP taking people under there wing but I can't help but wonder if this is still the way it's done.

after shooting negative stock what stock does it get transferred back to? I never realized this. Every time I shot something (50D 500T 250D) I never questioned this, just assuming I was seeing what I shot on, but I've never shot on reversal except for once when i hand processed it.

What makes you guys want to though? I love that you give back but why?

I go to SFSU and had optical printing last semester. I wanted to do this too however I ran out of time (19 units, a part time job and working on film crews will do that to you). However a class mate, the Optical Printing, Avante Garde, Experimental film genius, did just that with 12 squares. 3 rows of 4 columns. All he did was create a mask with tapes and repositioned everything. We have JK-105 Printer which allows for zooms, rotation of the projector, and 8mm orr 16mm film. So yes, it's possible but it takes a long time and you just have to really preproduction it out. Personally, I <3 Optical printing.

i don't think it's a hoax, more like just really big grandioso marketing that makes you want it. personally, i wait in anticipation because i lov tech and because it'll happen one day. why not the red?

well deserved, but i was hoping Children of Men, Emmanuel Lubezki, would win. BUT still well deserved.

I was wondering if anyone knows of DVDs that have commentary more the cinematography than anything else? I've never once listened to one that had it. Anyone?

Are foot candles still used for measurement?

WoW! super cool. It's so cool to have this website and see (sort of) people achieve and grow. pretty neat.

Saw the film yesterday and enjoyed the cinematography. I had no idea it was Texas but it sure made me want to go there. The magic hour, beauty shots were right on and I couldn't help but think that all the lighting accented and helped the story very nicely. You make an awesome contribution by being on this site so much. Is anyone else on this site ASC?

I knew something visual was what I wanted upon graduating HS in 2000. I went into broadcasting and jumped right out. Mulled around until working with kids and computers and finally came back to film, fell in love with the visual aspect. Realized DP not Dir. was what I wanted to pursue at the beginning of 2005. I was 22 at the time. Applied myself as much as possible. I'm a right handed kind of guy. Surrounded and appreciated the arts but never realized I'd want to pursue. Exciting, and slightly scary. Anyone have tips for practicing?

if you're a student check out mac on campus. they give decent discounts and i just picked up a new sekonic 758 cine. but there's no need to get such an expensive one unless you need all the functions. picking up a used one from someone you trust might even be worth it (like a cinematography student who wants to upgrade their light meter). try to get something with a spot meter. it's convenient and will really help you out in the long run. you use the incident for the majority and spot check with a spot meter to check your shadows and highlights.

I'm definitely interested. I'm sending you an email. Just found this site and I'm loving it!

Children of Men. Hands down blew me away. !!! FIRST POST !!! Great site everyone.