17 Charming Gifts for Cinematographers
A collection of the coolest and most lovable gift ideas for cinematographers. The best gifts that’ll make any director of photography happy.
A film is the product of hard work, dedication and passion of a team of several talented people. Without these professionals and their skillsets, making a great film is near impossible, yet the only names we remember from the movies we watch are those of the actors and possibly, for those who care, the director. The rest of the crew is lost to anonymity with only the oscar winning ones coming to the spotlight.
Cinematographers have to live with such anonymity. The only time we notice their work is when they show off with long, cinematic one-takes or stylistic shots that seek attention. But all that goes against the principles of good filmmaking, which is to immerse you into the film and not distract you with fancy techniques that break the spell. The ones that take the backstage and let the story get the spotlight often aren’t noticed.
The real unsung heroes of the industry, apart from editors, are cinematographers. And while they might not get enough praise from the audience they deserve it from their loved ones. Following is a list of the best gift ideas for aspiring and professional cinematographers. Pick one that best suits your recipient.
Cinematography Definition T-Shirt
What better way to show off your love for your craft than to wear it on your chest like printed badge of honor? This t-shirt does exactly that. It lets a cinematographer who’s proud of his identity, share it with the world. Also, it makes for an easy ice breaker in case anyone who’s interested initiate a conversation. “Are you a cinematographer? Nice. Tell me more.”
This definition t-shirt is an ideal gift for aspiring as well as professional D.O.Ps. They’ll love the minimalistic design and the creative definition on it. Also, black is the go to color for film professionals so they’ll appreciate the choice of color. Just make sure you pick the right size and you’re sure to impress them with this gift.
Master Shots Book
Not everyone who sets out to become a filmmaker knows the technical aspects. They might not know enough about the choice of lenses and shots possible and suitable for a particular scene. It’s the cinematographer’s job then to guide the director, to show them the possibilities and to save the film from looking mediocre.
Master Shots is a collection of practical and extremely useful camera techniques that can be utilized for different types of scenes. Want to know how to shoot from a perspective of a bad guy on his back, getting pounded on? This book got you covered. A useful guide for independent filmmakers and cinematographers who are trying to learn the tools of the craft. It’ll make a fine gift for any aspiring D.O.P.
Sony Alpha 7 Camera
When indie filmmakers figured out the huge potential of DSLR cameras and their application in shooting high quality videos these cameras became popular among those trying to shoot low budget films. With DSLRs such as Mark 5D you could get some great looking, cinematic shots for a fraction of the cost of that of film.
The DSLR revolution made filmmaking accessible to all. Now, years later, mirrorless cameras have taken over the indie filmmaking market. The low light capabilities, the lightweight built and ability to shoot RAW videos on a budget camera is what filmmakers could have only dreamt of in the past.
Sony Alpha 7 is one of the best cameras out there for the job. If your recipient is an aspiring cinematographer who’s starting out in the field, this camera will be the perfect tool.
Gorillapod Tripod
I don’t recommend gifting equipment to professionals. They tend to be very specific about their choice of tools. The best tripod in the market isn’t going to please your recipient if it doesn’t fit their preference.
There are some exceptions to this. This Gorillapod tripod is not primary gear but might come in handy in some situations. It’s more of a problem solving tool than the equipment of choice. You can use it in places when a traditional tripod cannot be utilized. A useful thing to own for any cinematographer. It’ll make a fine gift.
Suggested
The Art of Seductive Gift Giving
Gifts are important in seduction. A well thought out & planned gift can make a great impression on your tar...
DJI Osmo Pocket
Cinematographers come in different shapes and sizes. Some like to shoot elaborate sets which are meticulously organized and lit and others go around shooting anything that they think looks interesting. No matter how you choose to get the shots what matters is what becomes of them.
It used to be that you’d need a camera, stabilized, lenses and bunch of other equipment to get a moving shot. And it took some time and effort to get the equipment assembled. So when the DJI Osmo Pocket came out it was a revelation. You can put this device, the size of a small TV remote, in your pocket and take it anywhere. If you see something interesting you want to shoot, you take it out and it takes only a couple of second to get it running and ready to shoot. The quality is impressively good for a camera this size. It shoot stable, raw, 4k shots almost as good as you’d get with a full rig.
A perfect gift for any cinematographer. Just make sure they don’t own one already.
Cinematographer Style DVD
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch you’ll have to invent the universe first. This joke is a nice way to say that no one does it on their own. We all stand on the backs of people who lived before us and the world they’ve built. For a filmmaker or a cinematographer learning their craft it’s important to learn about the masters that contributed to the field before them.
Cinematographer Style is a collection of over a hundred interviews of professional cinematographers and D.O.Ps. They talk about the craft and their experience working in the field. You get to watch the legends and stars share their insights. People like Vittorio Storaro, Roger Deakins, Gordon Willis and many more share their wisdom.
A student of the craft could learn something from watching this. It’ll make a fine gift for those who are curious and willing to learn.
Drone Camera
There’s something about drone shots that attracts a filmmaker’s curiosity. Maybe it is the perspective of the “gods” that they allow them to capture with ease or maybe it’s just that those shots look too pretty and cinematic because of the nature of them. I mean, unless you’re a pilot or have to fly to places regularly for your job, you don’t get to see the world from the skies that often.
It used to be that you’d need to hire a helicopter to get those shots but now with drone cameras accessible and affordable to most people, it’s easier.
If your recipient is a student of filmmaking or a budding cinematographer they’ll love getting a drone as a gift. The DJI Mini SE is the best one on that budget that gets the job done. A perfect gift they’ll cherish.
Future Oscar Winner T-shirt
Any struggling artist who’s trying to make it into a competitive field, no matter how resolved they are, need some validation from people closest to them. Without it self doubt is certain to creep in, making one lose motivation. This happens to the best of us.
A goofy t-shirt like this will let your recipient know that you believe in them and their dreams. This Oscar t-shirt might not compare to winning the real thing but for someone who could use every ounce of motivation they can get, it will feel like it.
Hollywood Movie Studio Desk Lamp
Like our homes, desks reflect on our personalities. A messy desk, for instance, implies a creative and busy mind. Some of the most innovative minds on this planet had the messiest desks (Einstein, for example.) A fact that gives me some reassurance. Looking at the perpetual messiness of my desk, you’d think I was the most creative person on planet Earth.
You can tell a lot about a person from his belongings. His/her taste, style, and character is reflected in them. You’ll see movie related stuff in a filmmaker’s home. A cinematographer or photographer will have camera themed items. It is just their love for their craft that is reflected in the items that they shop. If your recipient is someone who works on a film set they’ll enjoy owning this cinema lights style desk lamp.
Mini Cinema Lightbox
This mini cinema lightbox will make a nice gift for anyone who loves films–filmmakers, film buffs, cinematographers will all love this present. You can arrange the letters to spell any word or sentence you want. To make it especially memorable, when you’re giving it to them, arrange it in a message that they’ll find charming. It could be anything–some inside joke, something that you both love and nerd out about, etc.
Things that are useful and practical make impressive gifts. Your recipient will be able to use this lightbox on different occasions–birthday parties, date nights, home screenings of their favorite films, and so on.
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Book
The global film industry churns out thousands of new movies every year. And as long as there’s an audience willing to pay to watch movies they’ll keep doing that. The lack of quantity isn’t an issue in this industry. There’s plenty of supply. The problem is with choice.
People wasting more time browsing for movies to watch on Netflix than the time they spend watching those films is a meme that everyone has heard of. There are many to choose from but no one has time to waste two hours of their lives to find out if it’s a good one that they picked.
This book is a collection of the best 1001 movies that the author has deemed worthy of his reader’s time. I’ve checked them out. It’s a pretty solid list. If your recipient is a cinematographer who loves watching movies they’ll appreciate getting this book as a gift.
Compact Projector
No cinematographer worth their salt wants to watch movies on a smartphone screen. They know how much effort it takes to work on every detail of the visuals to make a film look good on a big screen. Smartphone screens don’t do justice to the hard work put in by the filmmakers.
Using this projector might not be the same as watching a film in a theater but it’s a much better experience than watching one on a smartphone. It’s compact so can be carried anywhere with ease. You can gift this projector to a cinematographer so that they can enjoy their favorite films on a moderately big screen. You can also gift this to an actor or a filmmaker.
Cinematography: Theory and Practice Book
![I Am Bruce Lee [Blu-ray]](../assets/cinematography-theory.jpg)
A substantial part of a director’s job is to work with the director of photography to make use of the visual storytelling techniques to tell a story the best way possible. Without a good understanding of cinematography techniques, a filmmaker cannot reach his potential. Visual storytelling techniques help affect the audience’s emotions. Texture, mood, color, balance all play part in how we perceive a scene.
This book has everything you need to know about cinematography techniques. An essential guide for any student of the craft who wants to have a strong foundation of knowledge. It’ll be a perfect gift for any young cinematographer who’s passionate about learning.
Camera Lens Mug
You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to know that photographers and cinematographers tend to love their lenses. After all, they’d be pretty limited in their usefulness without them. So it makes sense that a mug that is shaped like a lens would make a fine gift for a cinematographer. It definitely looks more interesting than the regular, boring mugs with cheesy messages. Although, I must warn you that you’re likely not the first one who thought of this idea and if so it won’t be as impressive as a gift.
If, on the other hand, by some crazy coincidence in which none of the people they know thought of this idea–maybe they all thought someone must have beat them to the punch or maybe cinematography is a new profession your recipient is trying to explore or you’re a partner/spouse who knows for certain that they don’t own one already, go for it.
Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
The late legendary filmmaker of the films like 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, The Verdict, wrote this book about making films. And it’s a must read for anyone who wants to learn the craft. What I really like about this book is that, without getting too technical, it takes you through every aspect of filmmaking you need to know. From directing actors, cinematography to editing. A filmmaker must have a strong understanding of these to effectively work with the professionals and get the best results.
Lumet wrote the book in a casual, entertaining style with lots of personal anecdotes, which makes it an enjoyable read. It will make a fine gift for a aspiring cinematographer who also wants to direct, and even for a more experienced one who keeps an open mind for learning.
Cinema Camera Patent Poster
The home that we live in should reflect our personality. It should be in harmony with the soul. Without that the home doesn’t feel like home and productivity goes down. An artist will decorate his home with beautiful works of art that express his dreams and inspirations, a musician will fill the walls with posters of his idols and so on.
This camera patent poster will appeal to anyone who makes a living with his camera. It represents the moment when the device that is necessary for this field of work to exist was invented. The beginning of an era. Ideal gift for any filmmaker, photographer and cinematographer.
Conversations with Cinematographers
Not everyone appreciates getting a book as a gift. Some people won’t read to save their lives, so be cautious when choosing your recipients for a gift like this. If your recipient is a cinematographer who doesn’t mind reading a useful book this will be one they’ll be glad to receive. Filled with interviews of the best professionals in the field Conversations With Cinematographers is full of insightful advice any student should read.
This gift is ideal for aspiring and professional D.O.Ps both. There’s no stage in your professional life when you’re too old to learn. Don’t gift this to someone who doesn’t read.
