Camera Love: A Cinematographer Spotlight

Each filmmaker has the luxury of creating a perspective for their audiences to understand. It’s very singular and personal to how we receive stories: to have a camera enact the role of a prying eye, a fly on the wall, a friend or foe, or something that interacts with the characters on screen. It’s a tool - a camera - that fascinates most every filmmaker. Once introduced to a young and impressionable filmmaker, it is almost impossible to subdue the love and wonder that is carried with a simple gaze through a viewfinder.

This article is meant to further the understanding and appreciation for camera operators and cinematographers.

Without a camera, the act of filmmaking could not be possible. Each camera is moved, positioned, and introduced as the soul of a film. Whatever action actors and directors have to create in the moments of filming, the camera is in the front row seat.

Cinematographers are often some of the most necessary crew members on a production. They ensure their beast is tamed, (settings are in order) well rested, (batteries are charged), properly groomed (mounted and with the correct lens) and has a proper guardian to see the job along (the camera operator). So many wonderful and creative ideas can come about from each cinematographer with direction and collaboration with their project, script and director to help guide them. Without a good cinematographer, the director cannot work well at all! They are the ship, and the directors are the steady captains as they set sail with the camera together.

Throughout the history of cinema and cameras, we have seen the course of human evolution since the turn of the century all the way to modern day. Today, everyone has their own cameras right inside of their pockets - their phones. Cameras have watched history unfold in the form of documentaries, as well as narrative and entertaining works like films and TV across the ages. Cameras from all ranges and complexities remain one of our most used and valued tool in society and the arts. How we feel about them as filmmakers is personal, paternal, and loving as they slowly emerge from equipment for our projects to some of our best friends.