Cinematography Career: Jobs, Scope, Placements, Salary 2023, Top Recruiters
Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
Cinematography is the practice of using images to visually convey a narrative in a film or television production. Cinematography includes the use of lighting, framing, composition, camera motion, camera angles, film choices, lens options, depth of field, zoom, focus, color, exposure, and filtering. Cinematographers enable the public to view motion pictures. Every movie you see on a huge screen has a cinematographer.
The job profiles at which Cinematography graduates can work at entry level include Assistant Cinematographer, Makeup Artist, etc. with a salary ranging from INR 2 lakh to 5 lakh. However, the positions at the mid-senior level can be Assistant Director, Laboratory Assistant, Assistant Producer, etc. with a salary ranging between INR 6 lakh to 15 lakh. At the senior level, they can earn a salary ranging from INR 16 lakh to INR 40 lakh Film Editor, Video Editor, etc.
Cinematography graduates are employed in a variety of industries, including Entertainment Industry, Films, News Channels, Production Houses, Photo Studios, etc. Continue reading to learn more about the job profiles, salaries and how to pursue a career in cinematography.
Also Read:
Cinematography Course Overview
- Average Salary Based On Job Position
- Top Careers in Cinematography
- Specialisation Wise Salary for Cinematography Graduates in India
- Top Recruiters for Cinematography Students
- Top Colleges for Cinematography
- How to Start a Career After Cinematography?
- 6.1 Top Indian Cities to Get Lucrative Jobs After Cinematography
- Cinematography Jobs in Government and Private Sectors
- Cinematography Salary Abroad
- Cinematography Course FAQs
Average Salary Based On Job Position
There are various job profiles in the field of cinematography in India, each with a different level of responsibility and income expectations. These typical cinematography job profiles are shown along with an approximation of their average Cost to Company (CTC).
The table below hints at the employment positions for Cinematography graduates:
| Job Position | Average CTC (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Assistant Cinematograpger | INR 2 LPA- INR 6 LPA |
| Camera Operator | INR 3 LPA- INR 5 LPA |
| Cinematography Teacher | INR 3 LPA- INR 8 LPA |
| Documentary Cinematographer | INR 4 LPA- INR 10 LPA |
Note: The salary data has been sourced from external links.
Top Careers in Cinematography
Aspirants can go through the table below to know the common cinematography job profiles, their descriptions, and approximate average salaries. The salary figures are approximate and can vary differ on factors such as location, industry, experience, and individual negotiation skills.
| Job Profile | Description | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Cinematographer | Assisting senior cinematographers, setting up equipment, operating cameras, learning lighting techniques. | INR 2 LPA- INR 6 LPA |
| Cinematographer | Overseeing the visual aspects of a film or project, including camera work, lighting, shot composition, and managing a camera crew. | INR 6 LPA- INR 15 LPA |
| Camera Operator | Operating cameras, assisting the DP, setting up shots, and managing camera equipment. | INR 2.5 LPA- INR 7 LPA |
| Cinematography Assistant/Intern | Assisting the camera team, handling equipment, and learning the basics of cinematography. | INR 2 LPA- INR 5 LPA |
| Freelance Cinematographer | Working on a project basis, often in various roles, and negotiating fees independently. | Varies with experience |
| Cinematography Lecturer/Teacher | Educating and training aspiring cinematographers at film schools or institutes. | INR 3 LPA- INR 8 LPA |
| Documentary Cinematographer | Specialising in shooting documentaries, often in remote or challenging locations. | INR 3 LPA- INR 9 LPA |
Also Read:
Specialisation Wise Salary for Cinematography Graduates in India
The salary offered to cinematography graduates also varies as per the specialisation chosen during graduation. The salaries shared below reflect not only the specialisation, but also other factors such as company size, experience, industry, and location.
| Specialization | Entry-Level Salary (INR) | Mid-Level Salary (INR) | Senior-Level Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Cinematography | INR 2 LPA-6 LPA | INR 6 LPA-12 LPA | INR 15 LPA and above |
| Documentary Cinematography | INR 2.5 LPA-6 LPA | INR 5 LPA-15 LPA | INR 12 LPA and above |
| Film Industry (Bollywood) | INR 2 LPA-6 LPA | INR 6 LPA-15 LPA | INR 15 LPA and above |
| Television Industry | INR 3 LPA-6 LPA | INR 6 LPA-12 LPA | INR 12 LPA and above |
| Advertising and Commercial Cinematography | INR 2 LPA-6 LPA | INR 6 LPA-15 LPA | INR 15 LPA and above |
| Freelance Cinematography | Varies | ---- | ----- |
Top Recruiters for Cinematography Students
To become a successful cinematographer, you need to acquire knowledge by working on the field and observing other successful Cinematographers. The graduates can work in various industries such as Film, Tv, Entertainment industries, and Production Houses etc. Students can see the table below to know the industries where Cinematography can find employment.
| Top Employment Areas for Cinematography Graduates | |
|---|---|
| Flim | Television |
| Entertainment | Media Houses |
| Production Houses | Photo Studios |
The various recruiters based on specialisations hire Cinematography graduates through placement drive conducted in top colleges. The various recruiters based on specialisation for this field are:
| Entertainment Industry Recruiters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney Company | Universal Pictures | Warner Bros. Entertainment |
| Netflix | Amazon Prime Video | Viacom |
| Media Recruiters | ||
| NDTV | Aaj Tak | Zee News |
| CNBC | Doordarshan | India TV |
| Production Houses Recruiters | ||
| Columbia Pictures | Paramount Pictures | 20th Century Studios |
| Sony Pictures Entertainment | New Life Cinema | ----- |
| Photo Studios Recruiters | ||
| Canon | Nikon | Fuji Films |
| Panasonic | National Geography | Adobe |
Top Colleges for Cinematography
The top popular private colleges for Cinematography courses are as follows.
| College Name | Average Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|
| 5 LPA | |
| Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Film, TV and Animation Studies, Delhi |
8 LPA |
| 10 LPA | |
| JECRC, Jaipur | 6 LPA |
| Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida | 8 LPA |
| FTII, Pune | 12 LPA |
| 9 LPA | |
| 7 LPA | |
| Bennett University, Greater Noida | 11 LPA |
| Calcutta Media Institute, Kolkata | 8 LPA |
Also Read:
Top Colleges for Cinematography in India
How to Start a Career After Cinematography?
The bottom needs to be formed first, and then the top should be formed by the cinematographers. You must get job experience in the industry if you want to succeed as a freelance cinematographer working on your own projects. You must gain expertise by working in the industry and studying other successful cinematographers if you want to become a successful one.
Unfortunately, there is no set period of time in which one must succeed or feel established. Additional people will start to take notice of you as you take on additional initiatives and demonstrate your abilities. You may secure your success by putting in a lot of effort, honing your talents, taking notes from other accomplished cinematographers, and paying close attention to them. Your abilities and methods will play a significant role in your achievement.
Top Indian Cities to Get Lucrative Jobs After Cinematography
Most top-tier cities offer vibrant job markets for cinematography graduates. As cinematography jobs in India include a wide range of industries and provide extensive learning opportunities, students can find employment and career progression in cities like
| City | Job Opportunities | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Film Industry (Bollywood) | INR 6 lakh- INR 40 lakh |
| New Delhi | Advertising and Commercials | INR 4 lakh- INR 20 lakh |
| Bengaluru | IT Hub | INR 4 lakh- INR 15 lakh |
| Chennai | South Indian Film Industry | INR 4 lakh- INR 25 lakh |
| Hyderabad | Film and Tech Industry | INR 5 lakh- INR 20 lakh |
| Pune | Educational Institutions | INR 4 lakh- INR 10 lakh |
| Kolkata | Film and TV Production | INR 3 lakh- INR 15 lakh |
| Chandigarh | Corporate and Commercial Work | INR 3 lakh- INR 10 lakh |
| Jaipur | Tourism and Cultural Content | INR 3 lakh to INR 8 lakh |
| Ahmedabad | Corporate Videos and Commercials | INR 3 lakh to INR 10 lakh |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 weeks ago
The post graduate degree and Diploma courses are of 2-years duration.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Cinematography course entails the skill of capturing and visually telling a story in a film or television production. Some of the most common undergraduate cinematography courses are BA Cinematography, BFA Cinematography, and BSc Cinematography. Some of the specialised courses available at the mast
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Contributor-Level 10
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