The director of photography or DP as he or is is often referred to is a special person on a set. Few realize that a DP is also called a cinematographer. These two titles; DP and Cinematographer are both interchangeable and describe the same person. But what does a DP do anyway?
Big shoots or smaller ones both have two key figures behind the camera, the Director or Chief and the DP. The Chief is head of the overall production and he or she is the one that has the vision of what the final production will look like. The DP on the other hand is the head of the lighting, the lighting crew, lenses and the camera.
The Chief controls the overall direction the production will go, the Cinematographer is the one that makes sure that the vision turns into reality. The Chief must be able to tell the Cinematographer must understand the Chief's vision or there will be no harmony or balance between them resulting in an unsuccessful marriage of vision and implementation.
The Cinematographer is a highly skilled member of the crew, one who has mastered all of the subtle nuances of the variety of lenses and cameras available to him or her during a shoot. Effectively choosing and getting the most out of their tools will mean a successful production.
One should not overlook the lighting. This critical part of any production can be easily overlooked but should not be. Lighting not only illuminates the actors and lets us see what they are shooting but it also can highlight a certain area, make an actor look better or worse depending on the goal of the shoot. Lighting also gives the production a certain 'look'. This look is the result of a master DP who has carefully chosen the right tools and used them effectively.
The director of photography is critical to the success of any filmed production. Their mastery of lenses as well as ability to grasp what the Chief of the movie wants is crucial. Being able to set the lighting and choose the right lenses for a shoot will either give the production a successful look or one that is not what was intended to begin with. Director of Photography
Big shoots or smaller ones both have two key figures behind the camera, the Director or Chief and the DP. The Chief is head of the overall production and he or she is the one that has the vision of what the final production will look like. The DP on the other hand is the head of the lighting, the lighting crew, lenses and the camera.
The Chief controls the overall direction the production will go, the Cinematographer is the one that makes sure that the vision turns into reality. The Chief must be able to tell the Cinematographer must understand the Chief's vision or there will be no harmony or balance between them resulting in an unsuccessful marriage of vision and implementation.
The Cinematographer is a highly skilled member of the crew, one who has mastered all of the subtle nuances of the variety of lenses and cameras available to him or her during a shoot. Effectively choosing and getting the most out of their tools will mean a successful production.
One should not overlook the lighting. This critical part of any production can be easily overlooked but should not be. Lighting not only illuminates the actors and lets us see what they are shooting but it also can highlight a certain area, make an actor look better or worse depending on the goal of the shoot. Lighting also gives the production a certain 'look'. This look is the result of a master DP who has carefully chosen the right tools and used them effectively.
The director of photography is critical to the success of any filmed production. Their mastery of lenses as well as ability to grasp what the Chief of the movie wants is crucial. Being able to set the lighting and choose the right lenses for a shoot will either give the production a successful look or one that is not what was intended to begin with. Director of Photography
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