Growing up, I have undergone numerous phases which saw me interested in different aspects. At first, I was over-enthusiastic about electronics. Kicking off my obsession with the then Dick Smith electronic kits, I could dismantle and reassemble small transmitters and components of the home stereos. To my parents’ astonishment, I could comfortably build an audio amplifier in a short period of time.
While other children kept stuffed toys and pets as part of their collection, I fought to have my parents get me microscopes, telescopes, cameras, radio transmitters, and any other kind of electronic for my birthday. The intriguing world of computers did not escape my over-zealous nature and I often found myself assisting the teacher on various aspects during computer class. In high school, my love for the science subjects, physics, chemistry, and biology, opened up a new world, exposing me to new things that only served to whet my curiosity for the next new thing. Within no time, I would lose the initial interest and seek for something new to discover.
It was at this time that I came across photography and this made me stop in my tracks. In one of my escapades, I had carried a barely used camera given by my parents on my 10th birthday. Capturing one picture after another never got boring. There was always something new every time I clicked the camera. On every occasion that I exposed a frame, I was amazed at the different aspects I saw. I could change the location, or go to the same location on different times of the day. I could take photos of my family and friends in various locations. Sometimes I could take the same picture twice, of one person in the same location, but it would still be different. This intrigued me and instantly, I was hooked. Blending my new found love and the intriguing sciences created an exceptional combination that aroused my curiosity in pursuing cinematography.
Cinematography combines the skill of optics (lenses), chemistry (film processing), and physics (lighting and movement of the camera) in the creation of a motion picture that effectively passes the message to its intended audience. Getting the right image and conveying it, receiving the expected response, and knowing that it was appreciated is the greatest reward for a cinematographer. The exciting, engaging, emotional, moving, compelling, nerdy, and noble profession is especially touching when a cinematographer sits anonymously in a large audience watching a project that they have shot on a big screen, and watching the viewers enjoying and responding positively as the story slowly unfolds.
Area of Employment
The term “Cinematography” is a combination of two Greek words, kinema meaning movement, and graph, for writing. Also referred to as Directoion of Photography, cinematography is the art of motion photography done using electromagnetic radiation or light. A cinematographer may take pictures electronically using an image sensor, or by the use of chemical methods such as film stocks which are light-sensitive. Charged with the responsibility of the actual shooting of the film, they also oversee other aspects related to angles and movement, camera placement, and lighting. However, they must work in conjunction with directors to ensure that the television commercials, TV shows, films, or music videos on which they are working get their distinctive artistic style. With the lighting and camera crews placed under the watchful eye of the Director of Photography (DP), the cinematographer also oversights in the process of picking and manipulating the technical equipment to help in the creation of striking images.
A production’s visual impact is attained through the cinematographer’s creative choices. This is due to the decisions they make concerning the choice of lenses to be used in the production, the different filters to be applied, the lighting techniques, as well as the movements of the camera when filming. The latter is especially critical in creating dramatic effects which are key in rousing the emotions of the viewers. The issues related to digital effects, frame rates, image contrast, and the aspect ratio also fall in the hands of the cinematographer. It is critical to note that a motion picture is very different from a play, with the cinematographer bearing the sole responsibility of depicting the distinction. Therefore, stirring up the emotions of fear, happiness, humor, or sadness by mastering a cinematic syntax developed for decades forms the core of cinematography.
Directors of Photography are actively involved in the entire lifespan of the production. At the onset of the project, they must scrutinize the script before the start of filming, after which they must carry out further research to establish the various motifs and styles that could be suitably applied in producing the specific film or piece. They must then coordinate with the directors with the aim of discussing their ideas regarding creation of the film, after which two must plan the technical implementation of every single shot. While at it, they work out the relevant staff and the kind of equipment required in executing the project at hand. Once this has been accomplished, the DPs must then initiate the process of procuring the necessary equipment, recruiting the camera crew who consist of operators, grips, gaffers, and specialists in technical production. All along, the cinematographer must be wary of the time and budget constraints.
The DP must continually make crucial decisions relating to the feel and look of the film before the production even begins. Is the film going to be in black or white or in color? Will the shooting be in film or digital (though the former is becoming increasingly rare)? If the film will be in color, will they be saturated and alive, or dull and pale? Will the camera be tied to a single character, showing their POV at all times, or will it be omniscient by being wherever it is needed? Besides, will the film require an expressionistic tone, or a more realistic one? These are a fraction of the issues that cinematographers must grapple with in the course of duty. However, they are made in consultation with the director who retains their position as the “creative tyrants” charged with overseeing and approving all aspects of the production. On a set, the director of photography and the director of production are two pieces of a pie. With the support of one another, they perform like a well-oiled machine. They can perform so efficiently, even to the point reading each others’ minds.
During the process of shooting, or filming, the Director of Photography runs the show by offering direction to the technical production team, ensuring that appropriate cranes, lenses, lights, filters, dollies, and Steadicams have been used in capturing every shot. Sometimes, one may find cinematographers personally operating the equipment. While this is not a common phenomenon, it is more likely to be seen when shooting low budget productions whose crew is constrained. The interactions between the director of photography and the production director differ. In some circumstances, the director of the production will give the DP leeway to carry out their mandate without any influence. On the other hand, some will only allow little to none free to the cinematographer, sometimes going to the extent of dictating the placement of the cameras or the choice of lens to be used for the production. However, the latter is often common during newly established working relationships, subsiding gradually as the two get well acquainted with each other. Then, the director will simply communicate their specific visual requirements regarding a particular scene and allowing the cinematographer the freedom to work towards achieving the effect.
Once a production is completed, the cinematographer must continue working together with the editor and director of the film to ensure that the TV show, movie, documentary, or TV commercial has the correct color grading.
The Cinematographer’s Craft
As state earlier, the term “Cinematography” is a combination of two Greek words, kinema meaning movement, and graph, for writing. However, a high-quality cinematographer should do more than lighting the scene and moving the camera around. They must dissect the script, develop a detailed lighting setup and camera that rouses the sentiments of viewers while also strengthening the plot of the film. By placing the camera and lights in the right location, the DP gets to clearly communicate the hopes, despair, dreams, and joy of their characters.
People often refer to the cinematographer as painter whose canvas is the screen. The lights, actors, location, props, and the set constitute their ‘brush.’ With these controllable elements, the cinematographer can organize making every single shot with ease. While writers use scene units in constituting their entire work, cinematography incorporates the use of shots. In order to ensure that all the principals have been recorded, the DP in conjunction with the film director must print out and keep a ‘shot list.’
Watching a completed film on the screens, the average audience may not comprehend the amount of energy and precision that is put into designing a single shot. Typically beginning with the size and angle of the shot, the cinematographer must decide whether the camera lens should be placed at the top or the bottom of the scene. With adequate resources though (in relation to time and finances), the best cinematographer will always get choosy about the littlest of details in their shots. One will see the DP shifting the lighting fixtures a little to the right or left to achieve the desired effect if they feel that the move will create some improvement. While this may seem like an exaggeration or heavy-handedness, the action could lead to the much needed effect in making an outstanding movie.
The DP’s job is considered among the most challenging and intricate aspects in the art of making films. This is especially so in principal photography where almost everything is chaotic. In spite of having the largest crew on set, the cinematographer must be in perennial communication with other stakeholders of the production, in specific the production designer as well as the director. Keeping in touch with them ensures the ‘smooth’ running of the chaos, while also ensuring that they are all on the right track and also in agreement in regards to how the film will look and feel at the end of the production.
Industry Trends
Qualifications for a Career in Cinematography
Similar to any other industry, getting into the film industry, as a director of photography, requires passion and some background educational qualifications. First, it would be worth pointing out that cinematography is akin to photography. Therefore, understanding the basic and creative aspects of good photography is essential for one to successfully pursue cinematography. A majority of the cinematographers go through film school prior to creating their big production in the film industry. However, some professionals in the field have candidly admitted that joining college to study film is not necessary to make a successful career in cinematography. However, in spite of that, and the fact that some skills can be learned through watching professionals at work or high-level movies, the most successful DPs opt to earn the appropriate degrees. The courses, taking two or four years at a maximum are an exceptional way of starting out a career in cinematography. Specialized film and technical schools also offer more specialized training, introducing students to the various kinds of camera equipment and teaching them the best way of using the equipment.
Admittedly though, pursuing a degree or diploma in a related course including film studies, film production, media studies, or even cinematography will help in sharpening up the craft, while at the same time providing an insight into making of a film.
Moreover, studying a degree in any other field may also be the much needed ticket into the world of directing photography. Without film education background, the passion for the job and film, coupled with the expert skills in using cameras, lenses and other equipment for making film could also turn out to be the much needed push into this career path. Therefore, which ever roué an individual decides to take will eventually land them in their desired destination, if they put maximum effort into it. Beginners often get into the job where they start off as camera assistants, runners, or photographic technicians. As they gradually gain the desired experience, they get to rise up the ladder and through the ranks before finally setting foot in the shoes of the greatly admired cinematographer. This must also be coupled with a network build-up of valuable contacts in the industry.
Work Conditions, Salary and Benefits of a Cinematographer
Owing to the freelance nature of the job, the salaries and earnings of a cinematographer vary significantly, making it a tad difficult to settle on a definite figure. Most cinematographers perform their duties on an ad hoc basis. As a result, their payment schedules are largely dependent on the frequency of their projects. Besides, the levels of salaries paid are entirely dependent on the scope and budget of the particular project being worked on at the time. Actually, due to the large budgets involved, those working on feature films tend to earn bigger wages compared to the smaller low-budget movies.
On a rough estimate though, an average cinematographer will earn anything between $75, 000 and $450, 000 in a year. As expected, a huge majority of the cinematographers will begin their careers in junior camera operation positions where they earn approximately $20, 000 per annum. However, as they gradually gain additional experience and sharpen their expertise, the salary levels also grow step by step, and they could eventually $50, 000 a year. Rising to the point of earning the huge salaries takes years of commitment.
While working in this industry, an individual will seldom have a definite work schedule. Therefore, an 8 am to 5 pm day is not synonymous with a cinematographer. The nature of shooting, filming, and production means that working hours could range from early mornings to late nights. Working on the weekends and even during public holidays should also not come as a surprise for one working in the filming industry. Besides, it is common to work long, irregular and unsociable hours, sometimes resulting in the individual having to spend days, weeks, or even months from home and family. Working sets also vary significantly depending on the specifics of the project at hand. Studios, offices, homes, the streets, and even far and remote locations, both domestic and international form part of the work locations in which cinematographers work. For that reason, a director of photography must be open to travel in their line of duty.
Companies and Businesses operating in the Field and Opportunity for Advancement
A career in cinematography opens up the opportunity to work in an array of settings, companies, and businesses. While the most obvious or primary industry is the film and movie industry, a cinematographer may also film moving images for television commercials, documentaries, and television shows. The key locations in which a career cinematographer would excel include all the areas where the main television and film industries are situated such as Los Angeles, New York, New Mexico, Mumbai, and other similar cities. The movie houses may engage cinematographers on a temporary or permanent basis depending on the type and amounts of projects in which they engage. While a permanent or long-term engagement may not augur well with the employees, who may want to venture into other freelance productions, it may be an appropriate starting point for beginners in the career because it offers more exposure. Besides, a beginner may lack the pool of projects available to the seasoned cinematographers.
For the television stations that engage cinematographers for the production of their shows, it would be more appropriate to have a long term type of contractual agreement. Television stations are involved in an array of productions ranging from different genres of shows and may therefore require long-term staff. This is the same case for advertising agencies that are continually shooting television commercials. With all the available job opportunities, a cinematographer is spoilt for choice in choosing their preferred organization.
Skilled directors of photography often grow into producers or directors of film, video industries, as well as television stations. With adequate knowhow, they may also get into private practice where they start their own filming companies. Being a critical component in the making of a film, an accomplished cinematographer is well placed to lead a production team in the production process. Cinematographers who have worked on big studio or independent productions are often recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and other international or domestic film-related bodies for their exemplary work. The recognition exposes them to other stakeholders in the industry who may engage them for future projects. Besides, receiving appreciation for their commendable productions is the dream of every film-maker.
With the required academic qualifications, a cinematographer is best suited to pass on their expertise to the younger generation by teaching cinematography in colleges and universities. They may join the teaching fraternity in the institutions offering courses as Film, Video Skills, Digital Filmmaking and Video Production, Digital Cinema and Video Production and among others.
A cinematographer who may feel the need to stay in the industry but perform a less physically straining job (for health reasons or otherwise), could venture into the field of film editing. In this job, the individual works with a reel that has already been shot as opposed to working with a camera or overseeing the shooting crew. However, they must have proficient computer skills to help in editing the shot videos. Eventually, editors begin using specialized software in their duties.
Works Cited
Landecker, Hannah .Microcinematography and the History of Science and Film. A Journal of the History of Science Society. 2006. Vol. 97,no. 1;
Schmidt, Austin. Sp you want to be a Cinematographer? Life Behind the Lens. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2010. Print
The Art Career Project. Cinematographer. Web. https://www.theartcareerproject.com/careers/cinematography/
The Elements of Cinema. What does a Cinematographer Do? Web. http://www.elementsofcinema.com/cinematography/cinematography-basics
