director of photography
Visual look creator
A director of photography, also called a cinematographer or DP, is the person responsible for the visual look of a film or television production.
They oversee camera work, lighting, and shot composition, translating the director's vision into images.
The DP leads the camera and lighting crews and makes technical decisions about lenses, film stock, and exposure: The director of photography gave the film its distinctive noir atmosphere.
Primary illumination source
- fill lightShadow-reducing auxiliary illumination
- backlightIllumination behind a display
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
- high-keyExtremely or obviously
low-key · available light · golden hour · magic hour · diffusion · bounce · gel · tungsten
Lens-to-convergence-point distance
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- depth of fieldZone of acceptable sharpness
- exposureState of being unprotected
- film stockPhotosensitive medium for cinematography
aspect ratio · anamorphic · spherical · prime lens · zoom lens · wide-angle · telephoto · ISO
Camera movement on wheels
- tracking shotCamera movement alongside subject
- steadicamFilm stabilization apparatus
- crane shotElevated moving camera angle
- panningLateral camera traverse
tilt · handheld · jib · gimbal · push-in · pull-out · drone shot
- color paletteRange of selected hues
- tonalityMusic organized around tonic
- textureSurface tactile quality
- contrastNotable difference between things
saturation · monochrome · desaturated · color theory · mise-en-scène · mood · atmosphere · look
Structural or contextual shaping
- rule of thirdsComposition using nine-section grid
- leading linesCompositional elements directing focus
- negative spaceEmpty area around forms
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
depth · foreground · background · headroom · Dutch angle · over-the-shoulder · two-shot · master shot
Film's chief electrician
- key gripFilm lighting crew supervisor
- coloristOne who applies pigment
- production designerCreates visual style for films
- best boyChief assistant to gaffer
camera crew · lighting technician · camera assistant · script supervisor · location scout · storyboard artist
Person capturing screen visuals
- camera operatorOne who films
- visual storytellerOne who communicates through imagery
key light
Primary illumination source
- fill lightShadow-reducing auxiliary illumination
- backlightIllumination behind a display
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
high-key · low-key · available light · golden hour · magic hour · diffusion · bounce · gel · tungsten · LED panel
focal length
Lens-to-convergence-point distance
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- depth of fieldZone of acceptable sharpness
- exposureState of being unprotected
film stock · aspect ratio · anamorphic · spherical · prime lens · zoom lens · wide-angle · telephoto · ISO · RED
dolly shot
Camera movement on wheels
- tracking shotCamera movement alongside subject
- steadicamFilm stabilization apparatus
- crane shotElevated moving camera angle
panning · tilt · handheld · jib · gimbal · push-in · pull-out · drone shot
visual style
- color paletteRange of selected hues
- tonalityMusic organized around tonic
- textureSurface tactile quality
contrast · saturation · monochrome · desaturated · color theory · mise-en-scène · mood · atmosphere · look · grain
framing
Structural or contextual shaping
- rule of thirdsComposition using nine-section grid
- leading linesCompositional elements directing focus
- negative spaceEmpty area around forms
symmetry · depth · foreground · background · headroom · Dutch angle · over-the-shoulder · two-shot · master shot · coverage
gaffer
Film's chief electrician
- key gripFilm lighting crew supervisor
- coloristOne who applies pigment
- production designerCreates visual style for films
camera crew · best boy · lighting technician · camera assistant · script supervisor · location scout · storyboard artist
cinematographer
Person capturing screen visuals
- camera operatorOne who films
- visual storytellerOne who communicates through imagery
- Camera Crewcamera operator, cameraman, cinematographer, DOP, camera assistant
director of photographycamera assistant
Cinematographer's on-set helper
production assistant · grip · best boy · camera operator · lighting technician
director of photographysound designer
Creates production's auditory landscape
boom operator · sound editor · Foley artist · composer · music supervisor
director, directors, direct, directly, direction, directions, directional, directive, directives