104811 - DIRECTION OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Jorge Oter Gonzalez

Trimester: First term

Credits: 10

• Spanish

Most readings are in English. 

Photography and Digital Cinematography is a subject dedicated to introducing the fundamental concepts in relation to this key aspect of the cinematographic and audiovisual universe, deepening knowledge about lighting and camera, as well as assessing the technical and aesthetic aspects of any audiovisual work.

This subject is related to the contents of the degree related to the videographic and cinematographic image.

Contents Large Group (6 hours a week)

T1. Cinematographic photography direction

This content works on the position of the director of photography within the audiovisual industry, the light sources that can be used, as well as camera accessories.

1.1. Components of the department

1.2. Lighting sources

1.3. Camera: accessories, mounts and filters

T2. Work the light

This content works on the fundamental concepts for working with light in an audiovisual production.

2.1. Direction, Contrast, Texture, Color, Continuity.

2.2. Composition

T3. Image formation and control

This content works on the fundamental concepts in the technical field to control the correct capture of an audiovisual image.

3.1. Basic recording parameters

3.2. Optics: optical concepts and typology. Technical and aesthetic tests

3.3. Image exposure

T4. Photochemical and Digital

This content works on the most outstanding features of the two main formats for capturing a cinematic image.

4.1. The photochemical image

4.2. The digital image

T5. Pre-production of the director of photography

This content works on the basic elements for pre-production within an audiovisual product as a cinematographer.

5.1. Pre-production agenda

5.2. Locate

5.3. Camera tests

5.4. Lighting schemes

T6. Cinematographic lighting styles

This content works on and analyzes cinematographic lighting in different periods from students' oral presentations.

6.1. Primitive lighting: from natural light to theatrical light

6.2. Expressionist enlightenment and its influence

6.3. Classic or rule lighting

6.4. Modern European lighting and its influence

6.5. Current lighting

6.6. Directors of photography 

Contents Small Group (4 hours a week)

- Basic elements: lighting material

- Camera tests

- Exterior Day

- Photography and painting

- Sensations

- Continuity in interiors

- Advertising

- Night exterior

- Cinematic lighting styles

- Practical exam: cinematographic references

The evaluation of the subject is continuous and is based on practical and theoretical work:

- Theoretical works (Guided activities, oral presentations, readings and viewings): 25%

- Practical work (Practices of direction of photography and digital cinematography): 50%

- Final exam: 25%

Rules for evaluation

The subject evaluates the theoretical and practical knowledge with an equal percentage due to the character of the subject. In this sense, to make an average, both the named and the theoretical part (Theoretical works and Final Practical report) and the practical part (Practical works and result of Final Practice) will be taken into account. In this sense, it is necessary to have a 4 in each part to be able to have a final average.

Beyond these two major blocks, the following should be considered:

- No grade below 4 will average. In the case of the final exam, it is necessary to get a minimum grade of 5 for it to average.

- It is necessary to attend 80% of practical sessions so that the deliveries related to the practical part of the subject do average.

- No work submitted after the deadline is accepted.

- Missing spelling, grammar and layout will be noted, and may lead to the suspension of a work. More than 15 misspellings involve suspense.

- Plagiarism involves suspending any work with a 0. A second plagiarism by the same student involves the suspension of the subject without the right to recovery.

- There is no recovery for the internship part of the subject. If the average is less than 4, this means the suspension of the subject.

- The recovery of the theory part will consist of an exam. Only marks of 5 or higher will allow this part to average with the mark obtained in the practices (as long as the mark of the practices is equal or superior to 4).

- Active participation in class is considered absolutely necessary and will be taken into account for the final grade of the course.

Brown, Blaine (2016). Cinematography: theory and practice. Oxford: Focal Press (3rd Ed.).

Stump, David (2014). Digital Cinematography. London: Focal Press.

Schaefer, Dennis (2005). Masters of light. Madrid: Plot.

Roselló, Emilio and Cortés-Selva, Laura (Coordinators) (2021). Cromo filia: History(s) of color in cinema. Madrid: McGraw Hill.

AAVV (2004). American Cinematographer Manual. Hollywood, CA (USA): The ASC Press.

Alekan, Henri (1980). From lights and shadows. Paris: The Cinematheque Française.

Samuelson, David (1998). The technical manual of cinema. Andoain: Film and Video School.

Carrasco, Jorge (2010). Cinema and digital television: technical manual. Barcelona: Publications of the University of Barcelona.

Landau, David (2014). Lighting for cinematography. Oxford: Bloomsbury Academic.

Ettedgui, Peter (1999). Directors of photography. Barcelona: Océano.

Ballinger, Alex (2004). New directors of photography. Madrid: Ocho y Medio.

Almendros, Nestor (1993). Days of a camera. Barcelona: Seix Barral. 

Alton, John (2013). Painting with light. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.