i can’t really understand because isn’t the director the one choosing how the scenes will be shot? for example, choosing what type of shots will be used or how the scene should be lighted. what more is included in the photography department that is done by a different person? thank you
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A director of photography is the same thing as a cinematographer, who is in charge of cameras and lights.
The actual director of the movie has a vision for the filming, and the cinematographer executes it.
I am a Director of Photography, and the exact job will differ from movie to movie.
The DP will work in close collaboration with the Director to help bring his vision to the screen. Sometimes this will mean choosing which camera and lenses will be used, what type of camera movement will be incorporated (steadicam, dolly, crane, handheld, etc…)
In some cases the Director focuses more on the actors and the DP will focus on choosing the shots, and lighting other times they collaborate on this process during preproduction.
Overall the DP is there to help translate the directors vision into visuals using a combination of lighting, lens, camera, & filter choices.
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