Director of Photography

Icono
Icono del constructor
Icono
Icono de la bombilla
El constructor
El Creador
Entretenimiento, medios de comunicación y deportes
Music
Focos Hechos Educación Conseguir trabajo Noticias

Focos

Títulos similares
  • Director of Photography
  • DP
  • DoP
  • Cinematographer
  • Director of Cinematography
  • Chief Cinematographer
Descripción del puesto

A Director of Photography is the “second-in-command” on a production set underneath the Director, and tends to run the artistic and technical sides of the operation to fit the Director’s vision. The camera, lighting & electric and the grip (set-building) departments are all generally overseen by the Director of Photography, and prior to filming the job entails planning shots, visiting locations and ordering and testing equipment. After filming, a Director of Photography tends to review gathered footage with the Director.

Aspectos gratificantes de la carrera profesional

“Getting paid to be a storyteller. Being an artist. Working in the film industry. Being in a creative field. Deciding what a film looks like, its visual aesthetic. Experimenting with new camera and lens technology. The feeling of watching a film, music video, commercial, etc, and thinking ‘Wow, I filmed that. It looks great.’ Solving different challenges, whether it's a tricky camera move or figuring out how to rig a light or hide it somewhere in the scene.” - Alexxiss Jackson

Título
2016 Empleo
134,700
2026 Empleo proyectado
151,200
La primicia
Un día en la vida

The specifics of what a Director of Photography does on a day-to-day basis can vary based on what medium they’re producing for.

“There isn't really a typical day, which is part of what I love about it. If a project is in pre-production, I may be reading a script, selecting which camera and lens package we're going to use, or even watching a movie that serves as a visual reference for the look the director wants to go for. If the project is in production, I'm on set. But that doesn't always look the same. In its most basic form, I am usually operating the camera on a production, whether it's a narrative film, documentary, commercial, music video, TV show segment, etc.” - Alexxis Jackson

Competencias necesarias para el puesto
  • Communication Skills
  • Time Management
  • Liderazgo
  • Coordination
  • Active Learning
  • Camera Operation
  • IT Skills
  • Critical, Artistic Vision
  • Interpreting Scripts/Ideas from Director
Employment Types

Any camera-based production in the entertainment industry, including:

  • Television
  • Movies
  • Commercials
  • Documentaries
  • Music Videos
Tendencias actuales del sector
  • Constantly evolving technology, such as the development of 8K resolution cameras
  • Productions with heavier reliance on visual effects
  • Developing high definition, High Dynamic Range (HDR) programming
  • Some productions shifting to a more online-focused, multimedia audience and style
¿Qué tipo de cosas le gustaba hacer a la gente de esta carrera cuando eran jóvenes...
  • Watching lots of media content (movies, television, online videos, music videos, etc.)
  • Also discussing that content with others, either from a fan perspective or a critical perspective to learn more about best practices
  • Creating products for an online outlet such as YouTube or Instagram
Educación y formación necesarias
  • Directors of Photography (aka “DPs” or Cinematographers) usually hold a bachelor’s in a field such as Film and Television, photography, or similar studies
  • Many film schools such as New York Film Academy offer short, intense cinematography training programs lasting a year or two, as well as offering a full degree programs
  • Sample courses include:
    • 35mm Cinematography    
    • Advanced Motion Picture Camera Technique
    • Cinematography Production Lab
    • Film Craft    
    • Fundamentals of Lighting
    • Grip and Electric    
    • Optics of Lenses & Cameras
    • Post-Production 
    • Production Design
    • Production Workshops
    • Stage Lighting Workshop    
    • Still Photography Workshop
    • The Visual Screenplay    
  • Some Directors of Photography have years of experience working on film or television sets in other roles, including as interns, grips, electricians, or production assistants
  • Directors of Photography should be familiar with a wide range of production types, from motion pictures and television shows to documentaries, music videos, commercials, and even print ads
Cosas que hacer en el instituto y la universidad
  • Stock up on courses in art, English, writing, design, and photography
  • Únete a clubes audiovisuales para adquirir experiencia práctica
  • Watch a variety of production types, including films, TV shows, commercials, etc., and pay attention to how scenes are lit and how visual storytelling elements work 
  • Empieza a hacer tus cortometrajes para YouTube o Vimeo. Busca amigos y miembros de la comunidad que quieran unirse a tus proyectos.
  • Create a cinematographer’s reel to serve as your calling card. Post it online and keep your compilation footage updated as you improve your craft. Make sure you have rights in advance
  • Borrow or rent video cameras, sound gear, and lighting equipment as you save up to buy your own kit
  • Read about the key players you may interact with, such as directors, producers, actors, stunt people, crew members, and design teams
  • Advertise your freelance DP services in the local area or online 
  • Asistir a festivales de cine y actos abiertos de escuelas de cine
  • Keep honing your skills and reviewing changes in technology and techniques
  • Network your tail off and try to make as many industry contacts as you can
  • Solicita prácticas de cine hasta que consigas una.
  • Study books, articles, and video tutorials (see our list of Resources > Websites)
  • Interview a working Director of Photography or watch video interviews
  • Work with independent filmmakers on smaller projects. Volunteer if they don’t have a budget to cover your salary!
  • Join professional organizations to expand your network as you learn and build your reputation 
Hoja de ruta típica
Director of Photography Roadmap
Cómo conseguir tu primer empleo
  • Working an internship, or becoming a production assistant on a project, is often the easiest way to get started
  • Production assistants tend to have experiences across a set, with the camera, lighting and grip departments that are all overseen by a Director of Photography, giving an aspiring DP more knowledge of the entire process to use in a directorial role
  • If you attend a film school, speak with your career center or program coordinators about how to connect with recruiters and companies
    Join the International Cinematographers Guild when you’re eligible 
    Move to where the most movie and TV jobs are! Per BLS, the states with the highest employment for these film jobs are California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Georgia
  • Check out film job sites and forums as well as portals such as Indeed, Simply Hired, and Glassdoor
  • Ask your professors, supervisors, and co-workers if they’ll serve as personal references 
  • Attend filmmaking events to gain exposure and meet new people
Qualities of those who climb the ladder
  • Strong people skills and conscientious organization of a myriad of activities going on on-set with cameras, lighting, set direction, etc.
  • Being able to work under pressure, with budget and time constraints depending on the project
    • Particularly when those constraints intersect with environmental concerns like rain when shooting outdoors
  • Willingness to travel for work, shooting on location or touring a finished product
  • Working through long, irregular work weeks that often include evenings, weekends and holidays
  • A strong artistic vision
Cómo encontrar un mentor
  • Working smaller jobs/internships producing the kind of content one is interested in can open opportunities to network
  • Reaching out to individuals who work as DPs and asking questions
Herramientas/recursos recomendados

Organizations

Websites/Blogs

Magazines

Recursos

Film Schools

Libros

Plan B
  • Alternating between different entertainment mediums, possibly freelancing (for film, television, music videos, etc.)
    • Possibly pivoting into other roles on a production set like acting, writing or editing
  • Other on-air productions such as televised news
  • Creating web series for oneself or a larger group on sites like YouTube
  • Working for mediums such as animation or video game productions which still require knowledge of cinematography to compose shots
  • Teaching in general education programs/film schools
  • Creating videos/advertisements for local businesses, bands, artists, etc.
Consejos

“Working in any creative field can be hard, because it’s not always as much of a straight line as ‘go to school, get this degree, get a job at this company.’ It takes a lot of hard work, a strong network and a lot of diligence. But if you can make it, you can spend your life doing something fun that you love.

Also, never stop learning. That’s a good practice in general, but especially for a career path like this where there is always new technology coming out.” - Alexxiss Jackson

Noticias

Colaboradores
Alexxiss Jackson

Ofertas de empleo

Cursos y herramientas en línea