Definition

Noun: A person whose job is to operate a movie or television camera, especially for filming motion pictures or television programs. A cameraman is a professional photographer specializing in moving images.

Usage and Examples

• The cameraman followed the actors closely to capture the emotional scene.
• She worked as a cameraman for a major news network for over a decade.
• The documentary's success was due in large part to the skill of the cameraman.

Advanced Usage

• Chief cameraman / Director of Photography (DP): The lead cameraman responsible for the overall visual look and lighting of a film.
  • The director consulted with the chief cameraman on every shot.
• Steadicam operator: A cameraman who uses a Steadicam, a camera stabilization system, to achieve smooth, fluid shots while moving.
  • The chase scene was filmed by an expert Steadicam operator.

Variants and Related Words

• Camerawoman (n): A female camera operator.
  • The award-winning camerawoman shot the entire nature series.
• Camera operator (n): A more general, often interchangeable term for a person who operates a camera, especially in television or video production.
• Videographer (n): Often used for someone who operates a camera for events (e.g., weddings, conferences) or corporate videos, as distinct from cinematic filmmaking.
• Cinematographer (n): Synonymous with Director of Photography; emphasizes the artistic and technical craft of motion picture photography.

Synonyms

• Cinematographer (specifically for film)
• Camera operator
• Shooter (informal, within the industry)
• Videographer

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Behind the camera: Referring to the production crew, not the performers.
  • He has spent his entire career behind the camera.
• To man the camera: To operate the camera (note: "to operate the camera" or "to be on camera" are more common modern phrasings).
  • During the live broadcast, she was the one manning the main camera.

Noun

1. a photographer who operates a movie camera