Cinematography is the science and art of motion-picture photography and filming either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as film stock. A cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the chief over the camera and light crews working on a film, television production or other live action piece and is responsible for making artistic and technical decisions related to the image.

A cinematographer’s job is different from a directors job because The cinematographer is the head of the camera and lighting crew. They work side by side with camera operators, camera assistants, gaffers, and the light and grip crew. The director’s main task is to interpret the script and transform it into a film.