How much impact do cinematographers have on a film compared to the director?
It is not uncommon for cameramen to have fifty or more films under their belt, while directors may have only a handful of credits and, since they often come from a writing background, they have far less practical knowledge. As a result, they often rely on the DP to do the lighting, create shots, and suggest lenses and coverage. Because films are moving pictures, and the technical aspects of the process revolve around light and photography, more often than not a director will express what he wants, and the DP will show him how to get it. Since DP’s learn their craft rising through the ranks, they have been camera assistants and operators for many years and hence are highly experienced – so the contributions are huge.
