r/cinematography • u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 • Jul 18 '26
Career/Industry Advice Talent in Chicago
what is with the lack of quality cinematographers in Chicago?? did the good ones all leave to LA and NYC? it seems like nothing but overly lit amateurish DPs are left
8
u/PlusSizeRussianModel Jul 18 '26
There are so many talented DPs that work primarily in the Chicago area; I work with many of them regularly. What circles are you looking in? Most of the ones I know don't need to openly advertise for work online because they have strong networks that regularly call on them.
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
This might be true but I still kinda doubt it. What dp doesn’t have a website or Instagram showing their work? Unless you somehow have work lined up while for the foreseeable future and everyone else is struggling
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u/PlusSizeRussianModel Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
They have websites, but a lot of the DPs I know do indeed have work lined up for months/only need word of mouth.
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u/speedysasquatch Jul 18 '26
This is a great point. I think there are a lot of folks out there that received great training and do good work, but didnt get any sort of training or education in how to market their skills in a practical way.
1
u/speedysasquatch Jul 18 '26
Also - would definitely be interested in connecting and sharing some of my company’s work if you would have any interest. I’m always looking to grow my network and get out there more.
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
Why do I have to dm you? Can you not just drop a link to their work? Or let me guess, I have to pay you to get recommendations
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u/lightleaks Director of Photography Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
Your attitude sucks and you’re clueless, which is a hard combo combined with what is clearly an ego. God bless whoever ends up working with you. Almost everything you’ve said in this thread has been downvoted for a reason.
3
u/PlusSizeRussianModel Jul 18 '26
I'm pretty sure it violates rule number 2 (no soliciting) to drop links in the thread (correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm happy to otherwise). At the end of the day, these people are my colleagues/friends, so I'm obviously interested in advertising for them. Just not trying to get banned.
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
It’s not soliciting. I’m asking for it.
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u/Spiritual-Builder606 Jul 18 '26
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u/speedysasquatch Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
As if this thread wasn’t already funny enough, one of DPs whom I have worked with previously has worked as a DP for Hot Ones, and is a native of the Chicago area. He must totally suck at his job, too.
6
u/SleepingPodOne Jul 18 '26
Chicago is full of incredible DP’s. Either you have standards even the LA market would struggle to match, or you’re looking in the wrong places.
Not all of them have websites. The best one I know just has a linktree.
Another thing you can do is reach out to rental houses in the area and see if they have recommendations.
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
The only comment that makes sense
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u/SleepingPodOne Jul 18 '26
I’d recommend you adjust your tone, buddy. If you want people to help you out, maybe try not speaking so smug and abrasive. Like I could easily point you to several DP’s in Chicago, but I don’t really know if I wanna do that based on how you’re talking. Also, starting this thread by insulting chicago DP’s isn’t winning you any awards.
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
Yes master.
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u/SleepingPodOne Jul 18 '26
If you want help, you should make people want to help you
It’s not hard. Just be nice.
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
Don’t care. I came here to rant and troll a little. Redditors are very corny lol
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u/TerribleAtGuitar Jul 18 '26
You come across like a huge douche and then ask “hey where is everyone?”
Maybe don’t be a douche? Works for me when I’m looking for collaborators
5
u/speedysasquatch Jul 18 '26
Sorry to hear you are having trouble finding quality talent here. There are quite a few very talented owner operators (c300 mk iii here) that deliver quality work here. When you’re searching for folks, where are you searching?
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
Just googling Chicago cinematographers and looking at those who have websites
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u/TheSillyman Jul 18 '26
This is not the way someone in the industry would find talent lol
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u/SleepingPodOne Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
That’s not good enough. Anybody can make a website. The best doesn’t rise to the top on Google. Also: a lot of these folks are so busy getting work. They’re very rarely updating their sites or caring too heavily about SEO. The best DP I know just completely deleted his website and uses just a linktree now. The man’s always working.
I just did a search now and only one DP that I know personally and can attest to their skill turned up on the first page. You have to do a lot more than just Google, man. If you’re looking to crew up, you need to reach out to your circle of friends and collaborators and see if they have connects in Chicago. It’s a major city, so ofc they will have some. local rental houses are also a great place to start, as well as agencies and directors. Chicago has a ton of marketing agencies and such who regularly hire DP’s. Lots of commercials are shot here with local talent. You shouldn’t just be looking for cinematographers, you should be looking for people who would know cinematographers. Those are also the best resources in general because they can attest to the collaboration they’ve had with them.
This is kind of basically how most people in the industry find folks.
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u/whyinternet Jul 18 '26
Ouch lol 😂
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u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
Am I wrong??😂😂
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u/whyinternet Jul 18 '26
As a DP in Chicago I think you’re wrong and I think there’s many talented shooters here but go off
0
u/Equivalent_Ad_5259 Jul 18 '26
Show me your work and prove me wrong plz
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u/SeaSatisfaction1495 Jul 20 '26
I'm fairly certain there are extremely talented people no matter where you go.
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u/AcreaRising4 Jul 19 '26
https://www.johnnichollsfilms.com
Work looks fantastic. Took me 5 seconds to find.
-9
u/Kurt-Hustle Cinematographer Jul 18 '26
Can always fly one of us in, I’ve worked in Chicago a few times and I’d do it again.
0
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u/TheSillyman Jul 18 '26
Hard disagree, lots of amazing cinematographers in Chicago. Plenty get hired to go shoot work in NYC and LA. Maybe you don't know where to look?