Cinematographer

What Do They Do?

  • When you watch a movie, advertisement, or music video
  • Each scene is shot using different camera angles and used lighting to make it look beautiful.
  • The person who does this is called a Cinematographer.
    • 👉 In simple words: Cinematographers use cameras and lighting to make scenes look visually attractive.

🎓 How to Become a Cinematographer

The courses to pursue this career are given below :

After completing 12th, students can study professional cinematography, camera operations, film production, and visual storytelling through degree or diploma courses.

B.Sc. in Cinema (Cinematography Specialization)

Duration: 3 Years

Eligibility: 10+2 Pass (Any stream)

Entrance Exam: AAFT GET / LPUNEST

B.A. in Film Making

Duration: 3 Years

Eligibility: 10+2 Pass

Entrance Exam: WWI Entrance Exam / Merit-based

Diploma in Cinematography

Duration: 1 Year

Eligibility: 10+2 Pass

Entrance Exam: No Exam (Interview & Portfolio review)

📝 Exam Details

(Click on the exam name to see full details)

AAFT GET LPUNEST WWI Entrance Exam Merit-based Admission Portfolio Review

Note: Students can later specialize in advanced cinematography, film lighting, digital cinema cameras, visual production, or direction of photography through higher studies.

After graduation, students can specialize in advanced cinematography, film production, lighting techniques, and professional camera direction through postgraduate programs.

Post Graduate Diploma in Cinematography

Duration: 1-3 Years (Advanced Craft)

Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree

Entrance Exam: FTII JET

M.A. in Cinematography

Duration: 2 Years

Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree

Entrance Exam: University Entrance Exam / Interview

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Cinema(Specialization in Cinematography)

Duration: 2-3 Years

Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree

Entrance Exam: University Entrance Exam / Interview

📝 Exam Details

(Click on the exam name to see full details)

FTII JET University Entrance Exam

Note: Students can later work in film studios, streaming platforms, television production, documentaries, advertising agencies, or international cinema projects.

To help students learn cinematography, camera handling, visual storytelling, lighting, and filmmaking from home, here are some popular online Cinematography courses.

Certificate in Cinematography

Duration: 3 months

Provider:AAFT

Cinematography & Lighting

Duration: 6 months

Provider:Mumbai Film Academy

Learn Cinematography Specialization

Eligibility: Open to all

Provider:Coursera

Cinematography

Eligibility: Open to all

Provider:IIFFA

Note: Online courses help students improve camera skills, visual storytelling, framing, lighting, editing, and filmmaking techniques from beginner to advanced level.

Note:

(Age limits, marks, and admission process may vary depending on the college or state.

Below are some colleges that offer these courses.

These courses are available in many colleges and universities across India. You can choose colleges based on your location, budget, and entrance exams.)

🏛️ Colleges offering these courses in India

After Class 12

Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT), Noida Whistling Woods International (WWI), Mumbai Amity University, Mumbai Gulshan Kumar Film & Television Institute of India (GKFTII), UP

After Graduation

Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida L.V. Prasad College of Media Studies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu K.R.Narayanan Institute of Visual Science & Arts, Kerala Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Maharashtra

Online Courses

Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT), Noida, UP Mumbai Film Academy, Mumbai, Maharashtra International Institute of Film and Fine Arts (IIFFA) Coursera
STEP 1

Imagine you are working as a Cinematographer in a movie.

STEP 2

You check cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment.

STEP 3

You decide camera angles and scene framing.

STEP 4

You use lighting to make scenes look beautiful.

STEP 5

You work with directors and camera teams during shooting.

STEP 6

You review the recorded scenes after shooting.

STEP 7

If you enjoy enjoy this, then this career may suit you.

Where do Cinematographers work? (Job Roles + Growth)

Cinematographers work in : Film and television companies, Movie studios, Advertising agencies, Music video production companies, Streaming platforms, Documentary production companies, and Independent film productions.

🟢 Beginner Roles

Camera Trainee

Help the camera team with equipment and setup tasks.

Camera Assistant

Manage lenses, batteries, and camera accessories.

Data Wrangler

Back up and organize digital footage safely.

🔵 Mid-Level Roles

Camera Operator

Handle the camera and frame shots during filming.

Focus Puller

Keep moving subjects sharp and in focus.

Gaffer

Lead the lighting team to create the right mood.

🟣 Advanced Roles

Cinematographer (DOP)

Lead the visual style and camera work of a film.

Aerial Cinematographer

Capture drone and helicopter shots for films and events.

Director of Photography

Manage camera, lighting, and overall visual storytelling.

Hollywood & International Feature Films

Work on large-scale movies using advanced cinema cameras and global film crews.

Global Documentary Filmmaking

You capture real-life stories for international platforms.

Fashion & Commercial Shoots

You shoot advertisements and fashion campaigns for global brands.

Wildlife Cinematography

You film nature and wildlife for global media networks.

International Music Videos

Create cinematic visuals for famous singers and global music productions.

(Click Yes or No for each question)

1. Have you ever enjoyed taking photos or videos using a camera or phone?

2. Are you interested in learning how cameras are used in movies and videos?

3. When watching movies, do you notice different camera angles and shots?

4. Imagine you are working as a Cinematographer for a movie. The director wants to show a girl walking alone on a beach at sunset. You decide where to place the camera and how to use the lights. You choose the camera angles and shots to show the girl and the beautiful sunset. Finally, the scene appears in the movie just as you planned. Do you like this type of work?

5. For a movie, a football match needs to be filmed. The scene needs to show the players, coach, and audience from different angles. You need several cameras and camera operators to capture all these moments. You coordinate with the camera team and decide which shots are needed. After the filming is complete, the final scene captures the excitement of the match. When the movie is released, the scene gets good appreciation from the audience. Does this type of work interest you?