Cinematographer / DoP for hire in the UK
The cinematographer — or director of photography — owns how a film looks: lighting, lens choice, camera movement and exposure that carry the director's intent.
Are you a cinematographer / dop? Get listed and take work near you
Post the role, your postcode and your rate. The nearest cinematographer / dop is asked first — within 19 miles, or further for anyone who has said they travel — and if they pass it moves to the next nearest. Nothing is charged unless someone accepts.
Cinematographer / DoP on Picturental
What a cinematographer / dop does on a shoot
- Plans the look with the director — references, lens choice, aspect ratio and how each scene is lit.
- Calls the camera and lighting setups on the day, working through the gaffer and the grip.
- Watches exposure and colour across the shoot so the footage still holds up in the grade.
How hiring a cinematographer / dop works
- 1
Post the role
Say you need a cinematographer / dop, where the shoot is, the dates and the rate you're offering.
- 2
The nearest is asked first
The closest cinematographer / dop gets it alone, and it widens to the next nearest every 60 seconds until someone accepts.
- 3
First to accept takes it
The job locks to them, you swap details, and you rate each other afterwards.
Hiring a cinematographer / dop
- What is the difference between a cinematographer and a camera operator?
- The cinematographer decides how the film looks — lighting, lenses, movement — and leads the camera and lighting departments. The camera operator runs the camera and executes those decisions. On a small crew one person does both; say which you need when you post.
- Does a DoP bring their own camera?
- Some own a body and a set of primes; many do not and expect the production to hire the package. Settle it first — say in your request whether the kit is supplied, and hire the body and glass on Picturental either way.