Nigel Jones

Nigel Jones is an Australian cinematographer, Director of Photography and camera operator based in Queensland. For more than a decade he has worked across narrative film, music videos, commercials, corporate production and live performance, and his skills reach well beyond the camera: cinematography, camera operation, lighting, sound recording, production planning and post production. He understands the whole filmmaking process, and how each department shapes the final image.

His cinematography starts with the story. He works closely with directors and production teams to turn creative ideas into visual language, choosing shots, camera movement, lighting and composition that serve the story rather than simply look impressive. He shoots on professional cinema systems including RED, Sony and Blackmagic, with a strong command of camera configuration, exposure, lenses and lighting. He is as at home on a carefully planned narrative production as he is adapting fast to a live or location shoot.

As Director of Photography his short films include Lucky Devil, Vinnies, Broken, Quantum Ride and Wounds of War. In music videos he has shot for a broad range of artists, genres and visual concepts, including Loud, Hinterland, Giddy Up, Loving in the Fast Lane, Lonely, Turbulence, My Everything, Ready to Go, Stop, Island, Don't Let Love Go and Push Me to My Limit.

His commercial and corporate work covers camera operation and cinematography for Queensland University of Technology, V8 Supercars, Escape magazine, JCDecaux, Grill'd, Meriton Hotels, Urban Utilities and Queensland Government projects, among many other productions.

Sound is the other half of his craft. Nigel is an experienced sound recordist and boom operator across narrative film, commercials and live performance. He has recorded sound on numerous short films and commercial productions and has led sound teams on film productions. As an audio recordist and sound engineer he has worked hundreds of live performances, and in music production. He has also worked as a gaffer on short films, commercials and corporate shoots, which sharpens his sense of how light shapes a scene, sets its mood and carries the cinematographic intent.

Camera, lighting and sound together give him a practical command of production that is especially valuable on independent films and location shoots, and the ability to work in complex environments where several technical departments must move as one. He values preparation, communication and problem solving, and stays flexible when conditions change on set.

Nigel believes the strongest images come from understanding the director's vision and working with the whole team to find the best way to realise it. Whether the job is a narrative short, a music video, a commercial campaign or a documentary-style production, he brings a calm, practical and technically informed approach, with a constant focus on image quality, storytelling and professional execution. He continues to collaborate with directors, producers, artists and production companies throughout Australia.

He is available as a Director of Photography, cinematographer, camera operator, camera department crew and sound recordist.