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Director of photography vs cameraman

The differences between directors of photography and cameramen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of photography has an average salary of $105,236, which is higher than the $69,673 average annual salary of a cameraman.

The top three skills for a director of photography include video projects, DP and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a cameraman are music videos, camera equipment, and video production.

Director of photography vs cameraman overview

Director Of PhotographyCameraman
Yearly salary$105,236$69,673
Hourly rate$50.59$33.50
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs5,74675
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3737
Years of experience--

Director of photography vs cameraman salary

Directors of photography and cameramen have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of PhotographyCameraman
Average salary$105,236$69,673
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $153,000Between $43,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyGap Inc.-
Best paying industry--

Differences between director of photography and cameraman education

There are a few differences between a director of photography and a cameraman in terms of educational background:

Director Of PhotographyCameraman
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityHarvard University

Director of photography vs cameraman demographics

Here are the differences between directors of photography' and cameramen' demographics:

Director Of PhotographyCameraman
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between director of photography and cameraman duties and responsibilities

Director of photography example responsibilities.

  • Manage all photography assets for a slate of Showtime original series, documentaries and sports programming.
  • Coordinate and manage show production, including budget creation, scriptwriting and booking guest for on camera interviews.
  • Act as the gaffer and grip.
  • Provide services for YouTube album music releases.
  • Organize camera, electrical and grip crews.
  • Direct the gaffer to meet establish lighting strategy.
  • Show more

Cameraman example responsibilities.

  • Film b-roll scenes of a high school graduation ceremony
  • Work with director and director of photography on framing.
  • Play a lead role on shoots as ENG cameraman.
  • Operate HD camera on various hunts for promotional purposes.
  • Operate video camera and other relate equipment on live reports.
  • Film college sporting events which include football, basketball, and volleyball.
  • Show more

Director of photography vs cameraman skills

Common director of photography skills
  • Video Projects, 28%
  • DP, 20%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Sony, 5%
  • Video Production, 3%
  • Cinematography, 3%
Common cameraman skills
  • Music Videos, 24%
  • Camera Equipment, 15%
  • Video Production, 9%
  • Photography, 6%
  • Football Games, 3%
  • B-Roll, 3%

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