Oliver Stapelton, BSC predicts the cinematographer's role in 2020.

Well the future is here, finally.  And it’s not looking good for film, I have to admit. Recent developments by all the manufacturers means that most of the limitations that previously existed in digital photography have gone away and film is starting to look like yesterday’s technology. Some DPs are being encouraged to remove things shot on film from their reels because it looks “old fashioned.”

What’s brought about this change in thinking? Mostly a lot of small advances, mainly in relation to highlight clipping – always the signature of digital but now a thing of the past. Advances in sensors and dynamic range (with HDR looming) have enabled this to come about. Both Alexa and RED reportedly have a dynamic range “greater than film.” Of course, what is on the tin is not necessarily in the result, but I am seeing work that indicates astonishing range of tones, colors and other hallmarks of modern photography.

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