Directors of photography manage lighting and camera crews on TV and film productions to create the right look and feel for images.
39 to 41 irregular
freelance / self-employed away from home
You can get into this job through:
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject. Examples include:
You'll usually need:
You can take a college course to develop your camera skills before looking for work. Relevant courses include:
It may give you an advantage if you can find a course that offers practical experience and possibly a work placement.
You'll usually need:
You could start first as a runner, then as a camera operator trainee and work your way up. You'll need a lot of experience before you can move on to become a director of photography.
You can improve your prospects by developing specialist filming skills like aerial, night-time or underwater photography.
It'll help if you can get paid or unpaid experience with:
You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge.
You may be able to get training through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer, for example:
You could also take short courses in camera operation run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
You could join an organisation like the British Society of Cinematographers for industry news and latest developments in camera techniques and technology.
You can get more advice about working as a director of photography from ScreenSkills.
You'll need:
You’ll:
You could work on a film set, at a film studio or at a tv studio.
We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Director of photography right now.
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