Profession director of photography

Directors of photography are responsible for the visual interpretation of the script and all photography components of the film, including framing, colouring, lightning, style and locations. They create the visual look of the film or television programme and select the filming equipment, including the lens and filters. Directors of photography manage the visual equipment operators and lighting technicians. They work together with the video and motion picture director to achieve the desired effect.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Investigative
• Artistic / Realistic

Knowledge

• Film production process

  The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.

• Photography

  Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.

• Cinematography

  The science of recording light and electromagnetic radiation in order to create a motion picture. The recording can happen electronically with an image sensor or chemically on light sensitive materials such as film stock.

• Audiovisual equipment

  The characteristics and usage of different tools that stimulate the sight and audio senses.

• Lighting techniques

  The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.

Skills

• Adapt to type of media

  Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.

• Study media sources

  Study various media sources such as broadcasts, print media, and online media in order to gather inspiration for the development of creative concepts.

• Design lighting

  Design the right atmosphere and an aesthetically appealing film with light. Give instructions on which equipment, settings, and cues should be used.

• Analyse a script

  Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.

• Finish project within budget

  Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.

• Work with pre-production team

  Consult with the pre-production team about expectations, requirements, budget, etc.

• Supervise sound production

  Supervise the creation of sound and decide which music and sounds to use for the movie and theatre production.

• Watch scenes

  Watch raw scenes and shots after shooting to ensure quality. Decide which shots will be used and what needs to be edited.

• Develop creative ideas

  Developing new artistic concepts and creative ideas.

• Translate artistic concepts to technical designs

  Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.

• Follow work schedule

  Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.

• Work with motion picture editing team

  Work together with the motion picture editing team during post-production. Make sure the finished product is according to specifications and creative vision.

• Consult with production director

  Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.

• Ensure visual quality of the set

  Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.

• Supervise camera crew

  Supervise the camera crew to make sure they use the right equipment, angles, frames, shots, etc., according to the creative vision.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB