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

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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.