When a movie ends, long after the final credits roll, viewers are often left with a single shot or image in their head. In addition to the spoken lines and performances, many movies are made or broken on the merits of their cinematography and imaging. At the New York Film Academy’s Cinematography School students learn the academic and professional skills necessary to be a director of photography who can create the unique visual language of a film, television show, or web series. Throughout their time at NYFA’s Cinematography School students will consistently work on their classmates’ productions with different directors. This hands-on and practical experience helps to prepare upon entering the film industry.
Review Of The Cinematography Program
Considered amongst the best cinematography schools in the world, the New York Film Academy is committed to training a new wave of cinematographers to use industry standard cameras. As cinematography students work on each other’s films they will gain hands-on experience working with HD cameras, 16mm film, 35mm film, and RED EPIC digital video cameras. From the very first day of cinematography classes students will be behind the camera, receiving instruction from a faculty of successful and professional cinematographers. Our cinematography school’s curriculum blends academic theory with practical skills to equip students with the on-set knowledge they need to actually land a job in the competitive field of cinematography.
The New York Film Academy is dedicated to training new and aspiring cinematographers. You have the vision, let us help give you the skills to translate it into a career.
Cinematography Courses
Upon enrolling in a cinematography program at the New York Film Academy, students can expect to take many of the following cinematography courses in either the One-Year Conservatory Cinematography program or MFA Cinematography degree program.
Cinematographer’s Craft
Still Photography Workshop
Camera
Trends and Groundbreakers
Film Craft
Production Workshop I
Screen Projects
Production Workshop II
Grip and Electric
Cinematography Production Lab
Form & Function I
Fundamentals of Lighting
History of Cinematography I
Form & Function II
Advanced Lighting
Post-Production for Cinematographers I
Cinematography Practicum I
Directing for Cinematographers
Stage Lighting Workshop
History of Cinematography II
Form & Function III
Advanced Motion Picture Camera Technique
The Visual Screenplay
Documentary & Episodic Production
35mm Cinematography
Form and Function III
Master’s Camera Technique
Master’s Lighting
History of Cinematography III
Cinema Studies
Advanced Grip Workshop
Thesis Development
Cinematography for Digital Effects
Production Design
Cinematography Practicum II
Navigating the Industry
Steadicam & Camera Assistant Seminar
Optics of Lenses & Cameras
Cinematography Practicum III
Cinematography Practicum IV
Post-Production for Cinematographers II
Cinematography Classes
Students can take a cinematography class at the New York Film Academy throughout the year. To learn more about the start dates and tuition rates, please click here.
Cinematography Degrees
Students have the option to apply the work they completed at the cinematography school in NYC toward credit in the New York Film Academy’s cinematography degree program in Los Angeles. Learn more about the MFA Cinematography degree program below.
Designed for students interested in a non-degree cinematography program, the cinematography school at the New York Film Academy offers the following program.
Underwater Cinematography Workshop at New York Film Academy
New York Film Academy MFA Cinematography students literally dive head first into the world of underwater filmmaking. Shot with a Canon 5D in Hyrdoflex housing.
Cinematography Faculty
In addition to offering state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the New York Film Academy is also home to a distinguished faculty of instructors. Unlike other top cinematography schools, our faculty members remain active in the industry and each instructor comes from a unique background, providing students with a well-rounded education. In addition, they work one-on-one with students to help them successfully complete the cinematography school’s demanding curriculum. The faculty includes the following instructors:
Anthony Richmond, ASC, BSC: An accomplished Cinematographer whose career spans well over six decades, Tony Richmond worked as Assistant Cameraman on such films as From Russia with Love, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Truffaut’s Fahrenheit 451 and David Leans’s Dr. Zhivago. The award-winning Cinematographer has had numerous collaborations with Director Nicolas Roeg, lensing five of his films: Don’t Look Now - for which Richmond won the prestigious BAFTA award; The Man Who Fell To Earth; Bad Timing; Heart Of Darkness; and Full Body Massage for Showtime. Some of Richmond’s other credits include: The Sandlot; Candyman; Stardust for Michael Apted; Playing God; Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights; Rough Riders for John Milius; and That’s Life and Sunset for Blake Edwards;
Richmond was also responsible for photography on the seminal British music scene of the late 60’s. He shot the Rolling Stones classic, Sympathy For The Devil for Jean-Luc Godard, and then collaborated with Michael Lindsey Hogg on The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus and the Beatles’ Let It Be. His other rock and roll credits include: The Who’s The Kids Are Alright, and the documentary Glastonbury Fayre.
Richmond’s most recent credits include: Good Luck Chuck; The Comebacks; Legally Blond; Ravenous; Men Of Honor; The Sweetest Thing; Someone Like You; Just Friends; John Tucker Must Die; Autopsy; Sex and Lies in Sin City; The Rocker; Alvin the Squeakquel; and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.
Michael Pessah: Beginning his career assisting top commercial directors of photography, Pessah has gone to film over fifty productions. He was shortlisted for an Academy Award and was the recipient of the LA Weekly Theater Award. His work has appeared on such channels as HBO, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BBC, and Canal+ and remains active as a cinematographer for television series and feature films.
Cinematography Alumni
The Cinematography School at the New York Film Academy has graduated numerous alumni who have remained committed to realizing their professional ambitions.
Career Opportunities
We seek to establish ourselves amongst the top cinematography schools by focusing on career, rather than academic, achievement for our students. Read below to see some of the positions and companies our alumni have worked for.
Cinematographer
Camera Operator
Camera Assistant
Digital Imaging Technician
Gaffer
Set Lighting Technician
Key Grip
Dolly Grip
2nd Unit Director of Photography
Videographer
Colorist
Editor
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about the New York Film Academy’s Cinematography School, please call us at +1 (212) 674-4430 or follow the links below to obtain more information.
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1-800-611-FILM | 1-212-674-4300 
Cinematography Degrees
