Often the best of both worlds is to stand directly behind the operator during the take. There you have a view of what the camera sees and how it moves, without the responsibility of the composition. Fred Elmes Dear Fred, I have recently moved to the United States from Europe to pursue a career in film. I am thirty years old and a photo lab technician and photographer. I am currently attending UCLA extension classes.
Cinematographers come to the craft from all different directions.
What it takes is ambition and perseverance, because the field is very competitive. If you're starting with some technical photographic background, you're already ahead. I love the idea of becoming a cinematographer or a TV producer. I like, principally, the role of post-production in movies and TV series. The teaching approach and priorities will be different at each school you consider, so you must read the catalogues carefully and don't hesitate to ask questions.