Cinematography and Lighting for Television: A Contemporary Approach

Drawing from author Tim Palmer’s 30 years of experience working as a cinematographer for award-winning drama series including Killing Eve, Bad Sisters, and Line of Duty, this book is the go-to guide on how to light just about any scene a cinematographer may face when shooting a TV show. Focussing on lighting scenarios suitable for the small screen, the book is thematically organised into night and day, exteriors and interiors, and special situations including magic hour, candlelight and firelight, moonlight, torchlight, vehicle interiors, and green/blue screen, as well as providing examples from within the studio for each of these settings. Using the latest technology and developments in the practice, Palmer illustrates how cinematographers can effectively use lighting within a variety of situations. Palmer works through each example by illustrating and describing the setup with the corresponding finished film frames to show the final effect of the lighting achieved so cinematographers can easily apply and translate it to their own work. Including practical advice for working in the industry and tips for low-budget and student settings, this is an accessible and creative guide to producing visually compelling footage that translates the script to the screen. Ideal for the professional cinematographer and advanced students of cinematography looking to develop their skills.