The dictionary definition of cinematography is “the art and science of making motion pictures and telling a story visually by recording moving objects in a camera.” To simplify this, cinematography is a roadmap for the audience to guide through the story and expression. Cinematography gives a script a whole new meaning rather than just the visuals and makes it presentable to the general audience. In this article, we will get to know more about cinematography including how to become one.
What is a Cinematographer?
A cinematographer is an artist who is responsible for the entire process of cinematography. It is the job of the cinematographer to turn the director’s imagination into reality by actively governing the entire process of the video recording. A cinematographer has to overlook the entire video recording process and pay close attention to some particular details, and some of them are:
- Camera Positioning: Determining where the camera should be placed is very important because it can set the dynamics of the scene. Different camera placements are suitable for different expressions and for reflecting various characters. A cinematographer has to make the decision of the camera positioning according to the scene.
- Focus: Focus is an important aspect of a scene that can pinpoint the focus of the audience towards a character or object. It is also important how fast or slow the focus will be. It can also represent some particular character’s viewpoint or current state, such as intoxication, drowsiness, etc.
- Shot Arrangement: Every shot needs to be composed or arranged according to the scene. A cinematographer has to determine what characters or objects should be in the shot and how many in one frame.
- Distance: In some particular scenarios, a distant shot is required, and in other, close-up shots. For example, if the shot is about the expression of the subject while talking or in a particular moment, a close-up shot is generally used. On the other hand, a long-range shot is effective while showcasing a particular environment.
- Lighting: Lighting might sound very simple, but this is one of the most tricky elements of cinematography. A good shot is impossible to achieve without good lighting. Big production companies often hire a separate crew for lighting, but a cinematographer must have a standard knowledge of
Cinematography vs Videography
Cinematography and videography may be used interchangeably. You might not know the difference between them. However, if you don’t know the difference, know that they are different and used for different senses in practice.
Cinematography has been defined and described earlier. One thing it has not been mentioned earlier and which sets apart cinematography from videography is the crew or the scope. Cinematography is part of a larger crew and cinematographers usually work in a large crew and follow the instructions given by the director. A cinematographer mostly overlooks the entire filming process and hardly works behind a camera. They select things such as the shot, positioning, or other things mentioned above. On the other hand, videography refers to a smaller crew and usually works on videos or small projects directly behind the camera.
How to Become a Cinematographer
Cinematography is a form of art rather than just an act and you cannot just learn it just by doing a course or two. Anyone with a camera cannot become a cinematographer. A cinematographer needs to make the right use of a camera using other knowledge. Let’s get to know some of the things that you can follow to become a cinematographer.
- Learn the fundamentals: There are some fundamentals of video production that a cinematographer must know. These are some of the things that have been discussed earlier, such as Camera positioning, lighting, shot arrangement, focus, etc. You can watch different videos from youtube to learn these things. Just learning them, in theory, won’t do. You need to experiment with them as well.
- Video Gears: To practice filming and the technical things that you have learned or are learning, you need the appropriate video gears, a camera most importantly. Get a decent camera and play around with it by taking different shots from different positions, angles, and lighting conditions.
- Course: No specific degree is required to become a cinematographer. You can try doing a bachelor’s degree in arts and taking relevant courses to get to know the theoretical aspects of art better. There are dedicated cinematography degrees as well, which you can opt for. Other than that, there are many independent academies or institutions that offer cinematography courses from a beginner to an advanced level which would be great for you if you are not willing to get a formal degree.
- Watch and learn: Watch as much as films or works of established cinematographers. Pay close attention to the details of the work that is put behind the cinematography. If you are well taught about the fundamentals of cinematography, you will be able to assess the job and even critique. This will help you a lot in your projects and overcome future mistakes.
- Internship opportunities: Different media groups provide internship opportunities for promising beginner cinematographers. An internship opportunity will probably be the best opportunity for you to watch and learn from professionals in person. By doing this, you will get to know better how things work in real life and expand your experience. Some internship opportunities also hire interns if they are satisfied with the performance. So this is the best time to put your knowledge and skills to the test.
- Make connections: Social skills are very important here. Get connected with the filmmaker, cinematographer, videographer community as much as possible. Familiarize yourself with them and build a network. This will significantly benefit you while working.
- Build a portfolio: Make a compilation of your best works and the projects you have taken an active part in. This can get you into new gigs, casts, or even new employment. This will give the opportunity to the employers to understand your caliber and help them come to a clear decision.
Conclusion
A film is nothing without cinematography, and with the proper ambition and skills, you can make yourself into a great cinematographer within the next couple of years.
