If you’re wondering how to become a cameraman (i.e. camera operator), this page will explain it all.
The cameraman works with the cinematographer and director to make the vision of a movie or show come to life.
The cameraman is the physical shooter of a film or TV show, responsible for using a camera and its corresponding equipment to record and capture all aspects of a scene.
The proper name for a cameraman (or camerawoman, as the case may be) is camera operator.
On lower-budget films, the line between a cameraman and a cinematographer can blur, with one person wearing two hats.
From a professional standpoint, a cinematographer is more of an artist who collaborates with the director to create a mood and aesthetic for the film that best suits the director’s overall creative vision.
The camera operator, on the other hand, technically executes the camera, lighting, lens, filters, and other equipment to achieve the look and feel the director and cinematographer have worked out for the film.
A cameraman (or camera operator) is responsible for physically operating the camera during film, television, or video production.
Their main job is to capture the visual elements of a story according to the director and cinematographer’s vision.
In larger productions, there can be multiple camera operators. For example, there might be Steadicam operators or drone camera operators. In smaller shoots, the camera operator might also handle lighting and sound.
Here’s a breakdown of what they typically do:
Here are the main skills and equipment you would be using as a camera operator…
The most essential component of the cameraman’s job is (obviously) the camera. There’s no movie without it.
A cameraman needs to fully understand all aspects of the motion picture camera, its components, its functions, its lenses, and its limitations to properly master the craft.
The knowledge needs to exist not only on a textbook level but also through genuine and extensive experience with the equipment to truly understand its functions and capabilities.
The lens focuses light to provide a clear image for the cameraman.
The lens is crucial not only for forging the desired image but also in crafting an audience’s understanding and reaction to a shot or scene.
A telephoto lens, for instance, is made for zooms to grab images with deep detail. Conversely, a wide-angle lens provides more to see, covering an expansive area of the locale.
Filters go hand-in-hand with camera lenses. Filters are devices used on lenses that modify the component wavelengths of mixed light before it reaches the film.
In short, they affect the resolution of the image by altering how much the naked eye will see. Filters can be gelatin, plastic, or colored glass.
Lighting is key to creating just the right image. Lighting can determine mood, build atmosphere, and even help clarify narrative.
A lot of time is spent lighting sets because it’s such a crucial aspect of the filmmaking process. Lighting determines not only how much of a scene is visible to an audience, but also how the audience should perceive a scene.
While it’s not necessarily a camera operator’s charge to determine how a shot should be framed and how an angle should be composed, it is their responsibility to execute the exact composition as requested by the director (or cinematographer).
Ideally, there should be an exactness to shot-framing, as audiences will react to what they do (and don’t) see in a movie. This requires artistic skill to create something that both conveys information to an audience and is visually engaging.
Focusing involves calibrating the lens to find an image’s level of maximum sharpness and detail.
There are two types of methods for camera focus — automatic and manual.
Automatic relies on a motor in the camera (or lens) to bring a subject into focus. Manual is when the lens is brought into focus by hand.
Sometimes a focus puller, a member of the camera department, is charged with adjusting the focus of a shot in progress (while the camera operator handles the actual camerawork).
This means keeping a subject in focus for the duration of a shot or racking the focus as either the subject or the camera moves through the scene.
Whether it be on a dolly, track, crane, or other movable contraption, a camera operator needs to move the camera appropriately to properly capture the scene.
Cameras can also pan (move side to side) and tilt (move up and down) as necessary, so the operator must be accustomed to and practiced at these motions and have a thorough understanding of how to execute them during production.
Camera movements can be key factors in determining both the emotional resonance and narrative clarity of a scene.
And let’s face it, visually, a moving camera tends to give a scene more vibrancy than those comprised solely of static moments.
It can take years to become a successful camera operator, but the path to get there is relatively simple.
Let’s explore these components so that we can understand them in a practical sense…
Do you absolutely need a degree to operate a camera? No.
However, a film degree does serve as extremely valuable in learning the technical ins and outs of a camera, lenses, lighting, and filters.
On top of that, having a degree in the field reflects a lot better during a job interview than not having one.
Ultimately, on-set experience can be just as or more valuable to a potential client.
Whether through school, independent studies, personal projects, and/or working on set, developing certain skills can make it much easier to become a cameraperson.
These include:
While the pay of an internship typically isn’t great and often nonexistent, the experience it offers is priceless.
Interning for a camera department brings you right into the heart of the filmmaking process, where you can really observe and learn the method, process, and how to act and behave on a film set.
The latter happens to be just as important as the former, as people tend to work repeatedly with crew they like (and not with folks they don’t). Learning to navigate personalities on a high-pressure film set is an art and a learned skill unto itself.
This is the entertainment industry, and finding a gig in this niche of the field is just as reliant on networking as any other. It’s all about being friendly and open with people.
Demonstrate you’re someone who not only understands the craft and technicalities of the camera, but also that you’re easy to work with.
Film sets often run long hours. You want to make sure you’re surrounded by people you get along with, or those hours are going to feel a lot longer.
After you’ve got enough experience under your belt and have sufficiently networked, you’re ready to start offering up your camera operating services in a professional capacity.
This means looking for jobs everywhere, especially at the beginning. The pay will often be low when you’re starting out, but more important than the income is gaining experience.
The more film sets you work on, the better you’ll understand the job — from technical, craftsmanship, and business angles. Your chances at more work increase exponentially from this.
The average salary for a camera operator (FKA cameraman) in the United States is $21.31 per hour. It can range from $5.29 to $60.821.
The pay of a camera operator can vary widely. It may be low or nothing at first, but it can grow as you gain more experience and improve your skills.
Virtual production is a game-changer that’s blurring the line between filmmaking and high-end video game tech. Instead of green screens, many sets now use massive LED walls (a “volume”) to display real-time 3D backgrounds powered by game engines like Unreal Engine. This means cinematographers can capture visual effects in-camera with realistic lighting on actors. Imagine shooting a “sunset” scene for 12 hours straight—the LED walls make it possible.
Major productions from The Mandalorian to new indie films are embracing this tech. It’s creating fresh job titles (ever heard of a “volume operator” or “virtual camera operator”?) and a surge in demand for entirely new, highly-skilled positions in the industry. For a cameraman, learning the ins and outs of virtual production early can open exciting career doors.
The rise of AI is another elephant in the room—some camera pros eye it warily, but it’s here to stay. Today’s smart cameras can track faces and even adjust settings on the fly, and experimental AI tools are tackling tasks like focus pulling, color grading, and live scene analysis. In fact, there are AI systems that can read a script and suggest shot compositions or camera movements. Drones and robotic rigs guided by machine learning are pulling off moves that used to require big crews.
Does this mean cameramen will be replaced by robots? Highly unlikely. The consensus in the community is that AI is a tool, not a threat. A robot can’t replace your storytelling instinct or on-set problem-solving. The trick is to embrace these tools to streamline the grunt work (imagine letting an AI assistant sort through hours of footage for you) while you focus on the creative angles. The best camera operators of the future will be those who can collaborate with AI, using it to enhance their creative vision rather than replace it.
If you’re a young cameraman, you’ve probably noticed that platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch have become video content juggernauts. By 2025, video content is projected to make up 82% of all internet traffic, and short-form videos have seen a 75% surge in consumption globally thanks to these platforms. What does that mean for you? For one, there are tons of new opportunities to shoot content outside of traditional film and TV.
Brands, influencers, and live streamers are all hiring camera operators – sometimes for a full crew production, other times as a one-person show. The catch is, the style is different. Online audiences demand quick, authentic, and even vertical-format footage. You might find yourself filming in a scrappier, run-and-gun style for a vlog one day, then setting up a multi-cam livestream the next. And you’ll definitely be asked to wear multiple hats (think shooting and editing and lighting) on these projects.
The takeaway? In the era of TikTok and DIY creators, a cameraman’s job isn’t just setting up pretty shots – it’s helping craft content that grabs an audience fast. Understanding this new breed of content (and maybe even being a creator yourself) will make you a far more valuable camera operator in today’s market.
In Hollywood, big crews aren’t going anywhere, but much of the growth in production is happening in indie films, streaming series, and corporate or social media content. These projects often have tight budgets and lean teams. The result: a rising demand for cameramen who can do a bit of everything. The days of saying “I just operate the camera, that’s it” are fading.
Employers now love shooters who can also set up a basic 3-point lighting, capture sound, fly a drone, or even edit a rough cut. Being technically versatile can be your ticket to more gigs. In smaller markets especially, camera operators supplement their income by doing still photography, editing, audio, you name it.
While specialization is still revered on high-end sets, having extra skills makes you the go-to problem solver on set (and can save a producer from hiring extra crew). Plus, understanding other roles (like editing or sound) actually makes you a better camera operator — you’ll frame shots knowing exactly how they’ll be cut, or light scenes with post-production in mind. Bottom line: the more you can do, and do well, the more indispensable you become.
How can an aspiring cameraman prepare for all this change? Start by embracing lifelong learning. Technology in film is evolving faster than ever, and you’ll want to ride that wave rather than fight it.
Epic Games offers a free Virtual Production Primer to help you learn Unreal Engine—this is the kind of upskilling that could seriously boost your value on a tech-savvy set. The good news? With all this new gear and software flooding in, hungry and curious beginners have a shot at making big moves faster than ever.
The playing field is wide open. Embrace the chaos, stay flexible, and lead with your curiosity. That’s how you become the camera operator people remember—and rehire.
