Movies are an amalgamation of moving pictures. That’s simple right? Just merge those moving pictures and here you have your own film.
If this was true, movies would not be as fun and entertaining as they are. It would just be like a boring album. So what is it that makes movies, not boring albums? It is the way it has been shot or in simple words, it’s the way the photos are taken that gives movies the depth of perspective.
But who takes these photos? That is whom we call a cinematographer or the director of photography. It is the cinematographer who converts the vision of the director into reality by taking those moving pictures. With framing, lighting, and camera movement, the cinematographer brings to life the stories, the character’s emotions, and the themes visually.
But is it only the videography that the cinematographer is responsible for? Nope! Read the blog to know more about the career as a cinematographer- the education, skills, job roles, and much more!
The role of a cinematographer is to translate the director’s and screenwriter’s vision for the movie into the film. The purpose of cinematography is to evoke many emotions, including joy, sorrow, laughter, and fear. A cinematographer combines excellent camerawork and lighting to heighten emotions and create the cinematic aesthetic.
Cinematographers have to make crucial decisions about a movie’s style and feel even during pre-production, such as whether to shoot it on film or digitally. Will it be in black and white or in colour? Will the colours be vibrant or dull and faded? Will a character be the focus of the camera? Will the movie have an expressionistic or a realistic tone?
Some of their responsibilities include:
Nowadays, cinematographers have more employment options than ever before. In the past, the sole option was to work in the film industry. However, aspiring cinematographers now have more opportunities thanks to short films, web series, TV shows, documentaries, etc. Some of the job roles for a cinematographer include:
PATH 1: Through formal Undergraduate courses
Cinematographers don’t really require a degree. However, formal training is always preferred. Degrees like Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of arts are the most common routes to becoming a cinematographer. A highly selective programme, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Motion Picture Production provides students with in-depth training for careers closely related to film production as well as opportunities to explore the film medium and foster their creativity. A broad liberal arts education is combined with a focused understanding of the aesthetic, social, ideological, and historical facets of film in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Motion Picture History, Theory, and Criticism programme.
PATH 2: Through Diploma Courses
Another common route to becoming a cinematographer is through diploma courses which can be pursued after you complete your 10+2. These courses are beneficial as they help individuals start early and provide specialised knowledge with much lesser investment in terms of time and money.
The salary of a cinematographer depends a lot on the kind of project you work for, the production houses, and the type of employment. However, on average an entry-level cinematographer with less than 1 year of experience may expect to make an average total compensation of 360,000.
An overview of the salary at different stages of the career is given in the following table:
| Experience level | Entry-level (1-4 years) | Middle-level (5-9 years) | Senior-level (10-19 years) |
| Salary/year | 356,690 | 378,008 | 1,200,000 |
Communication:
No matter what kind of assignment a cinematographer is working on, communication is crucial. Both verbal and nonverbal communication is included in this. Verbal communication is crucial since it guarantees that the cinematographer is aware of the different shots the director is looking for. Additionally, it guarantees that the cameraman can confidently and clearly assign shots to other members of the cinematography team. When a cinematographer wants to communicate with someone while filming, such as asking a camera operator to move out of the way of the shot, nonverbal communication is essential.
Creative abilities:
Any good cinematographer will benefit from having artistic abilities, especially if they are working to establish their own unique style. This includes having a creative vision, such as picturing a shot before you set it up and the atmosphere you want to evoke with it. It’s crucial for cinematographers to be able to develop compelling visions and deconstruct the elements of preparation required to make that vision a reality because many cinematographers exercise some degree of freedom when preparing for a shot.
Technical expertise:
Technical proficiency is essential for any cinematographer to succeed. Having a thorough working knowledge of camera equipment and each device’s parts is a requirement for this. Technical skills also include knowing the right lighting and angle combinations for a shot to achieve the desired mood. Cinematographers are familiar with colour theory and have a thorough understanding of the entire filmmaking process. This demonstrates that the cinematographer is aware of their responsibilities and how they might assist other production departments.
Time Management:
A cinematographer must be adept at managing their time. Cinematographers frequently have a long list of shots they need to shoot in a single day, and it’s critical that they acquire them all in order to keep the filming schedule on track. Cinematographers must allocate a specific amount of time to each shot and leave adequate time in their workday to complete these shots. Effective time management also takes into account any extra chores, such as assembling and disassembling equipment at the beginning and end of each day.
Photography:
Given that there is a clear subject to frame and that the subject may be altered by the photographer, photographing people is quite simple. But without the human in the picture, it’s not immediately obvious who or what the subject is (or should be). The cinematographer’s eye is what makes this happen; it determines why the shot is significant and must be taken in the first place, then determines how to best extract all of the significance and present it in the best possible way. Since some of the most expensive photographs ever sold don’t feature living subjects, a lot of useful advice on framing and composition can be taken from such photography and immediately applied to cinema.
Know your equipment:
This is true for every position on the production crew, but a cinematographer, in particular, must be a master and the jack of all trades (particularly on smaller productions in which the director and cinematographer are usually one and the same). A skilled cinematographer, in particular, is someone who is intimately familiar with every camera and piece of lighting gear used on set. It will be your responsibility to transform the director’s ideas and directives—which might not always be particularly clear—into practical outcomes.
Since cinematography is one of the most popular majors offered at the colleges where the course is offered, it is anticipated that competition would be fierce in the future. Being ahead of the competition becomes more crucial as one gains experience in the field. In the next ten years, employment in cinematography is predicted to increase by up to 10%. With new talent graduating and entering the sector each year, this rate of growth guarantees that the competition will stay tough. Making fictional movies is not the only application of cinematographic art. Another big field where the use of cinematography is very important is science and technology.
Additionally, non-fiction television shows and documentaries are growing in popularity, and a career in cinematography has a tonne of potential. There are various ways for potential candidates to begin careers as cinematographers; nevertheless, most cinematographers choose to begin at the bottom of the field and work their way up. They might begin their careers, for example, as an assistant or intern to a cinematographer or filmmaker who has more relevant expertise. You learn more about a thorough understanding of the essential components of filmmaking the longer you work in the field.
Bollywood is the biggest industry you can work in as a cinematographer. However, the competition is too high. Additionally, cinematographers also work majorly as freelancers. However, there are various other industries as well that you can work in as a cinematographer:
Usually, cinematographers work on a project basis. However, if you are just starting out, you may check out these production houses to see if they have any vacancies:
If you’re unsure about cinematography you may test it out by registering for a range of time-efficient and pocket-friendly online courses or as a way to upskill yourself. There is no prerequisite for them, thus you can enrol in them after getting your 10th grade.
| Certificate Course | Duration |
| Getting your film off the ground | 1-3 Months |
| Photography Basics and beyond: from smartphone to DSLR | 3-6 Months |
| Psychology in Filmmaking: Create Films with stronger emotions | 1 Hour |
| Learning Cinematography: 1 Narrative Fundamentals | 2 hour 44 mins |
| Cinematography Masterclass: The Complete Videography Guide | 6 hours |
| Learning Cinematography: 3 hands-on Techniques | 45 mins |
| Cinematography 101: Absolute beginner course | 1 hour |
| Cinematic Lighting | 5 hours |
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There is no specific degree requirement to become a cinematographer. However, when you are in school try enrolling in a beginner’s class in photography.
The following are some of the undergraduate degrees that you can pursue:
| Undergraduate Degree | Duration |
| BA in Film and Media Production | 3 Years |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts – Major in Film | 3-4 years |
| Bachelor’s in Film and Television Production | 3 years |
| Bachelor of Mass Media | 3 Years |
| BFA in Motion Picture Arts | 3-4 years |
The following are some of the Master’s courses that you can pursue:
| Post-graduate Degree | Duration |
| MFA Masters of fine arts | 2 Years |
| The Master of Science in Film and Television | 2 Years |
The degrees abroad for cinematography are similar to that in India. However, their structure, approach and syllabus would differ. Some of the degrees that you can do include BA Hons in Cinema Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies, BA/BFA in Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts, Associate in Arts degree in Video Arts, B.A. In Cinematic Arts. These courses take around 3-4 years to complete depending on the country you apply to.
You can even opt for Master’s courses abroad. These courses take 1-2 years to complete based on the country you are planning to go to. Some of the courses that you can take include an MA in Film and Television Production with Cinematography, MA Cinematography.
Entry into these courses will require you to give language proficiency test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, SATs, etc along with an SOP (Statement of Purpose) and LORs (Letter of Recommendation). Want some help with SATs? We have got you covered. Read this blog to know more!
Some of the books that you can read about cinematography include:
If you enjoy using cameras, you might enjoy being a cinematographer. Well, duh! Right? But what I really mean is that choosing which aspect of the narrative to emphasise with your camera angles is a rewarding exercise in and of itself. So, before deciding to become a cinematographer, make sure you enjoy the imaginative process of expressing stories via lenses!
The feel and appearance of television and videos are also crucial aspects of a film’s development that are handled by cinematographers. They oversee the camera and lighting crews. While obtaining the requisite schooling for the position is a separate but crucial stage, it’s critical to fully understand the abilities needed to succeed as a cinematographer.
Film selection, lens options, depth of field, zoom, focus, colour, exposure, filtration, lighting, framing, composition, camera movements, camera angles, and film selection are all included in cinematography.
A cinematographer is in charge of making decisions regarding the camera, film stock, lenses, and filters to depict the scene in line with the director’s goals. Alongside directors, they contribute to the creation of original artistic styles for movies, TV series, music videos, and television commercials. They are in charge of overseeing the camera and lighting crews as well as the selection and use of technical equipment to produce amazing visuals on the screen.
To start their careers, cinematographers frequently need a degree from a film school. You would master the fundamentals of lighting and camera techniques in these seminars. The most common path to becoming a cinematographer is to start as a camera assistant.
Being a cinematographer is a difficult endeavour. Years of research, training and networking are required. besides a lifetime of education. Going to school, getting a camera and starting to film, and networking are your best bets if you are interested in being a cinematographer.
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