The short article featured below was plucked from the September 1925 issue of American Cinematographer. When was that, you say? Yes…a full century ago. Despite having been published for only five years at that point, the magazine had established the ASC as the industry’s thought-leader, a fact that remains in effect to this day.
As you’re reading, note that the only updating needed is in its language regarding the many incredible female cinematographers we now have on the scene!
I guess that is part of the reason that we are called DIRECTOR of PHOTOGRAPHY (at least in the US)
That is right on target. A Directing Cameraman makes a perfect second unit leader. Ultra low budget shows benefit from our ability to work with Actors….even insert shots with a background extra will benefit from the knowledge….hands playing a piano or turning a key in a lock. Our egos cannot override what a director wants on a film or an episode. But our passion and knowledge must sync up and uplift and transform the story. Collaboration is the secret Sauce.