110 things I’ve learned in 10 years as a DP

What I wish I’d known a decade ago when I started

A few weeks ago I realised it’s been ten years since my first time working on a film set. In that time I’ve definitely made progress up the cinematography ladder — by my estimation, having started at 0 and with the likes of Kaminski at 100, I’m hovering at a solid 3.2 (rising to 4 momentarily any time Larry Fong likes something on my Instagram).

So it’s early days. Nonetheless, if I’ve got a lot to learn now, I was genuinely clueless a decade ago. Only through the generosity and openness shown by other DPs sharing their knowledge and experience — in person, in books, magazine articles and internet posts — have I made it this far.

To mark this… decennial (I had to look that up), it seemed like it would be fun to note down a few of things I really wish I’d known when I started out. Plus who doesn’t love a listicle? (Number 73 will shock you…)

I can’t promise that any of the below will be useful to you, or that’ll you’ll even agree with it — it’s all just my opinion — but in the spirit of the people who’ve helped me I present the following.

edmooredop.com