DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/CAMERA OPERATOR

Working handheld requires a steady hand.

The Director of Photography (DP) working on a documentary production works closely with the Director, often as collaborator, and camera operator. The DP is responsible for lighting or complementing the lighting of a given location. If the production crew includes a Gaffer the DP works with him to create either a subjective or objective lighting scheme depending on the Directors’ priorities. In a documentary situation the DP is often also the Camera Operator. The Director must convey to the DP/Camera Operator the exact type and style of coverage he requires so that the DP/Operator can anticipate what needs to be shot as events occur spontaneously.

On Location with Director of Photography Mike Goi(right) in Southeast Chicago

A subjective lighting approach tends to give the scene being shot a look and feel that interprets the actual reality in some way.  An objective approach seeks to reinforce the natural feel of the location. For example a documentary interview conducted with an interviewee in her office might require some minimal lighting simply to insure a good exposure and give us a feel for the environment as it is. The more the scenes lighting is enhanced or re-created the more subjective it becomes.

A Camera Operator for a documentary film production is often required to handhold certain shots. This person should be adept holding the camera steady and working quickly to frame shots.

Excerpted from Create Documentary Films, Videos and Multimedia by JRMartin –

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