A camera operator, or depending on the context cameraman or camerawoman, is a professional operator of a movie camera or video camera as part of a film crew. The term "cameraman" does not necessarily imply that a male is performing the task.
Duties and functions
In
filmmaking, the
cinematographer or director of photography (DP or DoP) is responsible for bringing Director's vision to life on screen. The Cinematographer or Director of Photography handles all the technical aspects of visual storytelling and is the head of the camera crew and light crew on the set. The DP may operate the camera themselves, or enlist the aid of a camera operator or second cameraman to operate it or set the controls. The first assistant cameraman (1st AC), also known as a
focus puller, is responsible for maintenance of the camera, such as clearing dirt from the
film gate and adjusting the
follow focus. A second assistant cameraman (2nd AC), also known as a
clapper loader, might be employed to load film,
clapperboard, or maintain the camera report (a log of scenes, takes,
film stock, photographic filters used, and other production data).
A camera operator in a video production may be known by titles like , , or , depending on the context and technology involved, usually operating a professional video camera. As of 2016, there were approximately 59,300 television, video, and motion picture camera operators employed in the United States.
Important camera operator skills include choreographing and framing shots, knowledge of and the ability to select appropriate , and other equipment (Camera dolly, , etc.) to portray dramatic scenes. The principles of dramatic storytelling and film editing fundamentals are also important skills. The camera operator is required to communicate clearly and concisely on sets where time and film budget constraints are ever present.
Gallery
TV camera operator, Canon UHD DIGISUPER 90.jpg|Camera operator in a sports stadium 2023 World Men's Handball Championship
Cameraman football.jpg|A football camera operator shoots the Italy national team before a match (2021)
Camera operator.jpg|Camera operator during 2023 European Games
Camera operators for Newton stabilized remote heads on spidercam cable cam metallica.jpg|Cameramen operating Newton stabilized remote heads on spidercam cablecam systems flying over the audience at Metallica tour (2019)
Cameraman watching the football game in between broadcasts.jpg| A live TV studio cameraman watches a football game on the monitors in the studio in between broadcasts (2018)
Riot PetionVille.jpg|War camera operator (2006)
Margery Ordway, camerawoman. 1916.jpg|Margery Ordway, one of the first women camera operators of the silent film era (1916)
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R96517, Berlin, Brandenburger Tor, Kameramann.jpg|A camera operator atop Brandenburg Gate (1926)
