Cinematography : Introduction
Cinematography, an integral element in the art of making motion pictures, literally
refers to the combined art and science of using a moving image camera. It is
the process of recording visual images for the cinema and subsequent
development of recorded images in sophisticated photo laboratories.
Cinematography comprises of all the processes beginning from the choice of
lighting and camera until video and audio of a particular scene is recorded
perfectly.
A person qualified in the art of cinematography is called Cinematographer
or Director of Photography (DP). The Cinematographer is regarded as one of the
most senior and important technician in the film creation process. The
cinematographer is the person who actually plans and coordinates the actual
filming of the movie. A cinematographer is the person responsible for
turning the director’s creative vision into a production-feasible reality on
screen. Being a creative designer, cinematographer translate the
written text to meaningful images. In other words, what you see on screen
looks the way it does because of the cinematographer.
Cinematographers work closely with the director and give a film its unique
visual look and identity. They are responsible for composing each scene to be
shot, decides lighting and camera angles as per director's requirement. To
succeed as a cinematographer one need to be creative, have a strong interest in
cinema and the arts, as well as knowledge in design, and principles of
photography. A course in Cinematography is essential to enter the field.
Cinematographers primarily monitor the use of photographic and lighting
equipment. They often have to work odd hours and travel to remote shooting
sites, and may have to work in outdoor locations in stormy weather.
Cinematographers film movies and television shows, using
cameras in various mounts.
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