What are the skills required to pursue Cinematography?

What are the skills required to pursue Cinematography?

I want to study Cinematography but am somewhat confused if I possess the skills needed to make it into the industry. I want to do PGDM in Cinematography from FTII. Please guide me with the skills that are needed for this field.

PG Diploma in Cinematography from FTII is a 3-4 years course and the eligibility is graduation in any stream. They also offer a 2 years diploma program in Cinematography. As far as the skills are concerned, you need to have an artistic conceptualization skill along with an aptitude for photography, painting, and creativity. Being a Director of Photography or cinematographer is now a highly specialised activity. It will all depend on you to make things look good in a movie so a creative mind is what it basically takes to be a good cinematographer. But there are techniques to be grabbed in present times, and a lot of learning has to be done to become a cinematographer. These courses will take care of the technical aspects but the creative skill must come from within you.

The first year will be a common foundation course where you shall be taught direction, editing, sound, production, camera, art design, and get a basic grounding in all disciplines of cinema. Theory, practical and film screening will be your daily activity. In the second year, the focus is more inclined towards practice and you will be spending your days at the studios. Students are allotted studio time and work with fellow students. By the end of the final year, students would have made around six films covering the entire gamut, from short film, a music video and documentary, to final half-hour diploma film. You will learn to work as a team. By the time a student graduates, you would have shot several short films. A graduate is equipped to be a full-fledged Director of Photography.