Acamera operator, or depending on the contextcameraman orcamerawoman, is a professionaloperator of afilm camera orvideo camera as part of afilm crew. The term "cameraman" does not necessarily imply that a male is performing the task.^[1]

Infilmmaking, thecinematographer or director of photography (DP or DoP) is responsible for bringing Director's vision to life on screen. The Cinematographer or Director of Photography handles all the technical aspects of visual storytelling and is the head of the camera crew and light crew on the set. The DP may operate the camera themselves, or enlist the aid of a camera operator or second cameraman to operate it or set the controls. The first assistant cameraman (1st AC), also known as afocus puller, is responsible for maintenance of the camera, such as clearing dirt from thefilm gate and adjusting thefollow focus. A second assistant cameraman (2nd AC), also known as aclapper loader, might be employed to load film,slate scenes, or maintain the camera report (a log ofscenes,takes,rolls,photographic filters used, and other production data).^[1][2][3]

A camera operator in avideo production may be known by titles liketelevision camera operator,video camera operator, orvideographer, depending on the context and technology involved, usually operating aprofessional video camera. As of 2016, there were approximately 59,300 television, video, and motion picture camera operators employed in the United States.^[4]

Important camera operator skills include choreographing and framingshots, knowledge of and the ability to select appropriatecamera lenses, and other equipment (dollies,camera cranes, etc.) to portray dramatic scenes. The principles of dramatic storytelling andfilm editing fundamentals are also important skills. The camera operator is required to communicate clearly and concisely on sets where time andfilm budget constraints are ever present.^[3]

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  Camera operator in a sports stadium2023 World Men's Handball Championship
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  A football camera operator shoots the Italy national team before a match (2021)
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  Camera operator during2023 European Games
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  Cameramen operating Newton stabilized remote heads on spidercam cablecam systems flying over the audience at Metallica tour (2019)
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  A live TV studio cameraman watches a football game on the monitors in the studio in between broadcasts (2018)
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  War camera operator (2006)
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  Margery Ordway, one of the first women camera operators of the silent film era (1916)
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  A camera operator atopBrandenburg Gate (1926)