-
How to become
DIrector of Photography
Who is a Director of photography?
From setting the lights to choosing shots and adjusting color rendition, a Director of Photography (DOP) helps shape the atmosphere, emotional charge, and aesthetics of an audiovisual product. They are professionals in the field of lighting and experts in visual culture, working closely with Directors and creative teams to translate an artistic project into evocative images, able to express its full narrative power. Their skills are in demand in both the film and television industries.
What do Directors of Photography do?
DOPs play a key role during filming. Their contribution starts from designing the scenes’ light to recreate the desired atmosphere and emphasize the key elements of the story. Working with Directors, DOPs choose the best shot to capture the characters’ feelings and actions. From a strictly technical point of view, they are responsible for choosing the equipment (cameras, lenses, and other tools needed to achieve the desired effect). Other tasks include adjusting exposure and depth of field to create specific visual effects, defining the color palette in line with the artistic vision, working with the set design department, and providing support during shooting.
What skills should a Director of Photography have?
DOPs carry a great responsibility towards an audiovisual product’s success. Therefore, thorough technical skills and an informed artistic vision are needed to fulfill this role.
- Technical skills: these professionals must have a thorough understanding of the photographic principles of lighting and composition, be aware of color management techniques, and know how to assess the best equipment for a shoot.
- Artistic sensitivity: to create effective photography, it is necessary to take in the essence of a story and return it through images.
- Soft skills: DOPs must be able to cooperate with Directors and creative teams, even in times of high pressure, and must be able to meet production deadlines, and communicate effectively with their collaborators.
How to become a Director of photography?
Starting with an educational path is the quickest way to acquire the necessary skills to cover a Director of Photography’s position. Within NABA's educational offer, some of the above mentioned skills are conveyed by the Three-Year Course in Cinema and Animation: a program created specifically to train professionals in audiovisual design and production. In particular, Photography Direction courses start from the analysis of cinematographic and extra-cinematic works to promote students’ creativity in relation to their own artistic, compositional and visual choices. The goal is to provide knowledge to identify appropriate technical solutions, also in consideration of new technologies and methods used in shooting and post-production.
