Cinematographer

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A camera crew sets up for scenes to be filmed on the flight deck for the motion picture Stealth with the crew of
the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USSAbraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

A cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the chief

over the camera crews working on afilm, television production or other live action piece and is
responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image. The study and
practice of this field is referred to as cinematography. Some filmmakers say that the
cinematographer is just the chief over the camera and lighting, and the Director of Photography is
the chief over all the photography components of film, including framing, costumes, makeup, and
lighting, as well as the assistant of the post producer for color correction and grading.
The cinematographer selects the film stock, lens, filters, etc., to realize the scene in accordance with
the intentions of the director. Relations between the cinematographer and director vary; in some
instances the director will allow the cinematographer complete independence; in others, the director
allows little to none, even going so far as to specify exact camera placement and lens selection.
Such a level of involvement is not common once the director and cinematographer have become
comfortable with each other; the director will typically convey to the cinematographer what is wanted
from a scene visually, and allow the cinematographer latitude in achieving that effect.
Several American cinematographers have become directors, including Barry Sonnenfeld, originally
the Coen brothers' DP; Jan de Bont, cinematographer on films as Die Hard and Basic Instinct,
directed Speed and Twister. Recently, Wally Pfister, cinematographer onChristopher Nolan's three
Batman films, made his directorial debut with Transcendence.
Contents
[hide]

1 History

2 Societies and trade organizations

3 Noted cinematographers

4 See also

5 References

6 External links

History[edit]
In the infancy of motion pictures, the cinematographer was usually also the director and the person
physically handling the camera. As the art form and technology evolved, a separation between
director and camera operator emerged. With the advent of artificial lighting and faster (more light
sensitive) film stocks, in addition to technological advancements in optics, the technical aspects of
cinematography necessitated a specialist in that area.
Cinematography was key during the silent movie era; with no sound apart from background
music and no dialogue, the films depended on lighting, acting, and set.

In 1919 Hollywood, the then, new motion picture capital of the world, one of the first (and still
existing) trade societies was formed: the American Society of Cinematographers(ASC), which stood
to recognize the cinematographer's contribution to the art and science of motion picture making.
Similar trade associations have been established in other countries too.

Societies and trade organizations[edit]

There are a number of national associations of cinematographers which represent members
(irrespective of their official titles) and which are dedicated to the advancement of cinematography.
These include:

the American Society of Cinematographers (A.S.C.)

the Canadian Society of Cinematographers (C.S.C.)

the British Society of Cinematographers (B.S.C.)

the Australian Cinematographers Society (A.C.S.)

the French Society of Cinematographers (A.F.C.)

the Italian Society of Cinematographers (A.I.C.)

the Indian Cinematographers Society (I.C.S.)

the German Society of Cinematographers (G.S.C.)

the Spanish Society of cinematography works (A.E.C)

The ASC defines cinematography as:

a creative and interpretive process that culminates in the authorship of an original work of art
rather than the simple recording of a physical event. Cinematography is not a subcategory of
photography. Rather, photography is but one craft that the cinematographer uses in addition
to other physical, organizational, managerial, interpretive and image-manipulating
techniques to effect one coherent process.[1]

Noted cinematographers[edit]
See Category:Cinematographers and Academy Award for Best Cinematography

See also[edit]

Camerimage

Cinematography

Filmmaking

Indian cinematographers

List of film director and cinematographer collaborations

List of film formats

List of motion picture-related topics

References[edit]
1. Jump up^ Hora, John. "Anamorphic Cinematography". In Burum, Stephen H. The American
Cinematographer Manual (9 ed.). ISBN 978-0935578317.