Learning path · Camera
Cinematography (Director of Photography)
Telling a story with images: exposure, lenses, composition and lighting, and how a DoP works with the director and crew.
Free films in teaching order, for one craft. Watch, tick them off and test yourself. It's practice that prepares you for an Academy course. This one prepares you for Camera department Foundation.
Lesson 1
Cinematography 101: What is Cinematography?
RocketJump Film School · 5:44 · original on YouTube
You will learn: Explain what cinematography is and the main tools a DoP uses to tell a story with images.
Note: US source: UK practice, law and terms differ. Check the UK guidance (HSE, Film London, the Production Guild). A quick, friendly overview; use it to set up the vocabulary for the rest of the path.
By the end you will be able to
- Set a deliberate exposure using stop, shutter, ISO/EI, ND and monitoring tools
- Choose lenses and compose frames that serve the story
- Light a scene using quality, direction, ratio and motivation
- Prepare for a shoot and collaborate with a director and gaffer
Test yourself
Could you do it on a set?
4 real situations, one for each thing this path teaches. It's optional practice, not pass or fail, and your answers stay on this device.
Next: do it for real
This path prepares you for Camera department Foundation.
Eight lessons in the order a camera trainee meets the job: safety, who's who, prep, kit care, slates and camera reports, media, lenses and marks.
It's free and open in the pilot. Finish it to book a competency check, then a practical on our unit.
How learning with FIF works
Learning path. Free films in teaching order, for one craft. Watch, tick them off and test yourself. It's practice that prepares you for an Academy course.
- Learn onlineFree films, paths and Academy coursesYou are here
- Competency checkA short check with us, online or in person
- In-person practicalOn our unit at Pinewood or 3 Mills
- FIF CertificateFrom the practical only
The FIF Certificate comes only from the practical. How it works · Book a competency check
Director Vs Cinematographer: Who Does What?In Depth Cine · Careers13 min.
3 Basic Camera Settings Every Cinematographer Should KnowIn Depth Cine · Lesson11 min.
The Light Meter Explained — How and Why to Use Light MetersStudioBinder · Lesson10 min.
How ND Filters Make Footage Look CinematicStudioBinder Academy · Lesson4 min.
5 Techniques For Framing Cinematic ShotsIn Depth Cine · Lesson12 min.
Composition & Framing || Cinematography Masterclass - John de BormanCooke Optics · Lesson5 min.
How Lighting Ratios Change Moods in Filmmakingwolfcrow · Lesson7 min.
Cinematographer Roundtable - Working with the GafferCooke Optics · Lesson6 min.
Lighting Masterclass || Billy Williams || MasterclassCooke Optics · Lesson7 min.
Cinematography Masterclass: Filming Night Scenes | RoundtableCooke Optics · Lesson11 min.
Masterclass: Neville Kidd talks to Marcus Wilson about being a director of photography (DoP) in HETVScreenSkills · Lesson47 min.
Cinematography with Georgina Kiedrowski and Nicola Daley | RTS Craft Skills Masterclasses 2020Royal Television Society · Lesson58 min.
Go further
Beyond YouTube, labelled honestly. Free first. Paid options are labelled.
- British Society of Cinematographers Free to browse; events vary
BSC. UK cinematographers' society; BSC Expo and articles are a good way into the UK camera world. - NFTS short courses Paid (varies)
National Film and Television School. UK national film school short courses, including camera and cinematography options. - ARRI Academy courses Paid (varies by course, often several hundred pounds)
ARRI. Manufacturer training on ALEXA cameras, lenses, lighting and camera assistant skills. - LinkedIn Learning: Cinematography courses Paid (subscription, free trial; often free via UK public libraries)
LinkedIn Learning. Structured video courses with exercises; check your local library for free access. - ScreenSkills online learning (incl. Getting into the Screen Industries) Free with sign-up
ScreenSkills. UK industry skills body; free e-learning on set etiquette, safety and departments. - Introduction to Camera Skills Paid (£545)
NFTS. Two-day hands-on camera course. - Introduction to Lighting for Film and Television Paid (£545)
NFTS. Two-day lighting foundation. - MA Cinematography Paid (£15,950 a year UK; scholarships)
NFTS. Two-year master's degree. - Learn Cinematography (specialisation) Free to audit; certificate paid
Coursera. Structured online theory and practice.
For learners and trainers
Every lesson is a free video by its original maker, played from YouTube with privacy-enhanced settings. Found a broken video? Email [email protected].