Camera operators had to become cinematographers, or directors of photography, manipulating various different lights and lenses to create specific effects. By the time the ASC was founded in 1919, to keep up with the demand for movies, films were increasingly being shot under artificial lights in studios rather than outside in the sunlight. In many ways, the job has changed beyond recognition in the last century. Where should you put the camera? How should your camera look at this story? If you do it wrong, then you interrupt the truth you’re trying to get to.” The decisions we make are the most important.”īutler agrees: “One of the things that is important is your ability to understand the truth in the film you’re making. “The most important part of my job is helping the director tell a story with the images of the film and camera and lighting and lenses. “It’s not just about making pretty pictures,” says Mandy Walker, whose CV includes Hidden Figures, Australia and the forthcoming Mulan. Watch the trailer for Leave No Trace, shot by Michael McDonough

You do a lot more than just take meter readings.” “Next to the director, it’s the cinematographer who is really in charge of everything, from the costume you wear to the makeup. “Maybe as many as 80 people on a movie come under your direct command,” says Bill Butler, the Oscar-nominated cinematographer who worked on classics including Jaws and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The skill of the cinematographer, or director of photography, is to combine visual artistry with technical knowledge and a certain amount of people management.

The American Society of Cinematographers turned 100 this month and, though last year’s Oscar for the category drew attention after the first nomination for a female cinematographer, and Twitter users reguarly share examples of “One Perfect Shot”, the art of “painting with light” is little understood.Ĭinematographers are responsible for photographing films, but in practice their job is more complex. C inematography is one of the most mysterious aspects of film-making.

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