The American Cinematographer Manual is a filmmaking manual published by the American Society of Cinematographers. Covering lighting, lenses, and film emulsions, it is considered âÂÂan authoritative technical reference manual for cinematographers.â The manual also defines the cinematography profession.
The first version was published in 1935 by as The American Cinematographer Hand Book and Reference Guide. That handbook went through nine editions (1935, '38, '39, '42, '46, '47, '50, '53, '56) before it evolved into the American Cinematographer Manual. The first edition of the Manual was published in 1960. The book is now in its tenth edition (2015). The eleventh edition was announced on January 14, 2022 to be available in late March 2022.
In 2002, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences presented an Award of Commendation to the American Society of Cinematographers for its ongoing publication of the American Cinematographer Manual. Richard Edlund, chair of the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee, said, "Over the years, the ASC has continued to provide commentary on up-to-date technologies from leading experts in the field of cinematography."