Skip to main content
camera operator

camera operator

5 3.2
A person who uses a camera to film or broadcast scenes
  • noun
  • /ˈkæmərə ˈɒpəreɪtə/
translation icon : operador de cámara
  • During the filming of the documentary, the camera operator carefully adjusted the lens to capture the perfect angle.
  • reporters and camera operators
  • camera operator and crew
  • television camera operators

Listen, Golden Globes camera operator, I know it was you.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • It just so happened that Mark, the camera operator from Bogota was the director of photography for my film.

  • The camera operator receded until she was a tiny figure against the gray landscape.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Hey guys, it's Max, the camera operator and hand model.

  • I told our camera operator to widen the shot because this was the best part.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The video camera operator stopped filming as Cameron composed himself.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The kid nods to the camera operator who lowers the crane as we boom way up...

    Fiction book (1995)
  • But our main guy was this great camera operator out of Spokane named Deshawn Bedford.

  • Our camera operator, Jerry, was also a pilot and he pointed out that while there was a United Flight, 30,000 feet above us, we could not track the Cattoor helicopter.

  • Greg and the reporters moved in closer to him while the two camera operators stood back to back like two besieged cavalrymen in Indian country and aimed their cameras at the crowd.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Tas was the camera operator back then, and he was sort of the protege of a very great cinematographer named Philippe Rousselot.

Synonyms

cameraman
vscamera operator
110 2.9

A person who operates a film or television camera

is neutral and does not indicate a person's gender
videographer
vscamera operator
  • Specialized
14 5.3

A person who records video at events like weddings and conferences

is mainly the technical role during filming and broadcasting
camerawoman
vscamera operator
2 3.7

A woman who operates a movie or video camera professionally

is neutral and does not specify the worker's gender
filmer
vscamera operator
1 4.5

A person who records video with a camera

includes broadcasting and live television work as well
shootist
vscamera operator
  • Jargon
1 8.6

A person who takes photos or makes films professionally

focuses on moving images rather than still photography

How Professional

cinematographer
  • Specialized
20 7.0
videographer
  • Specialized
14 5.3
camera operator
5 3.2
shooter
  • Jargon
11 3.4
amateur
175 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

camera + operator

The meaning 'a person who operates a camera' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'camera' (a photographic/video device) with 'operator' (a person who operates equipment). This is a regular agent–noun composition found across languages and follows common English word-formation patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The name camera operator comes from early film sets where a person had to 'operate' a large camera, moving and adjusting it by hand to follow the action. So today camera operator means a person who controls a camera during filming.