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Motion Picture Photography for the Amateur
Hardcover
Photography History & CriticismPhotography Instruction
ISBN13: 9781025849683
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 244
Weight: 1.14
Height: 0.56 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Motion Picture Photography for the Amateur is a comprehensive and pioneering guide designed for hobbyists exploring the world of cinematography during the vibrant era of the 1920s. Written by Herbert C. McKay, this instructional work provides a detailed roadmap for those seeking to master the art and science of moving images outside of a professional studio environment.
The text delves into the technical essentials of the craft, offering practical advice on camera operation, lens selection, and the chemical complexities of developing and printing film. McKay covers various aspects of production, from lighting and composition to the direction of scenes, ensuring that the amateur filmmaker could achieve results of surprising quality and clarity. The book serves as a bridge between professional expertise and the burgeoning interest in home movies, documenting the transition of cinema into a personal and creative medium for the public.
Valuable for film historians, vintage technology enthusiasts, and students of the visual arts, Motion Picture Photography for the Amateur captures the foundational techniques that helped shape the modern cinematic landscape. Its focus on accessibility and technical precision makes it an enduring testament to the early innovations in motion picture technology and the spirit of independent filmmaking.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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