Involving your Gaffer by Frank DiPaola

When trying to achieve a special look, it is very important for the director of photography to have someone who understands the ins and outs of what he is trying to achieve creatively. When I first heard skip bleach processing outdoors I immediately pictured me and the crew fighting a losing battle against contrast. But because Kevin was adamant about me attending tests and screenings (things I would often not be privy to), my worries were put at ease, and I developed a strong notion of the look he was going for. Being on the same page allows your gaffer to worry about some of the more trivial technical details, and pre-light closer to what you had in mind for the finished image. In the war against time, budget, and limited resources, the DP needs as many allies as he can get!