AMSTERDAM CINEMATOGRAPHY LAB

My name is John Loughlin. I am a cinematographer, camera operator, colorist, and teacher. I have worked in the commercial and independent film industries for over 18 years, shooting features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, and commercials. And I have worked for 7 years in film education, as the Founding Department Head and Chair of the MFA program in Cinematagraphy at the New York Film Academy. I hold a Masters in Fine Arts from the American Film Instititute, with a focus in both Cinematography and Directing.

My professional experience and education have come from shooting in Hollywood and New York, but working with new and upcoming artists on the craft of Cinematography has played a major part in my own development as an artist. And so I have devoted time in my career to teaching the craft. The parallel tracks of shooting and teaching in my career, and the combination of experience in directing and cinematography, have allowed me to form unique and cohesive insights into a theory and practice of visual communication.

Whether shooting, producing, coloring, teaching, or consulting, my work is driven by my deep examination and reverence for visual grammar and communication, and what it says or implies about how people think, form emotions, and relate to one another. In addition to keeping up-to-date with technological advances in lighting, cameras, and media workflows, my primary research is in the psychology of feeling and assessing. And my philosophy is that moving images reach deep into the core of what it is to be human, and this provides me with endless opportunity to discover new frontiers and to remain curious and enthusiastic. It is such curiosity, enthusiasm, and exploration that make my classes, cinematography, and collaborations enjoyable, informative, and inspiring for me and others. And it is why I continue to seek out opportunities to teach and discuss, as well as practice the art of cinematography.

Most recently I have relocated to Amsterdam where I have continued shooting and teaching.  I currently teach video production at Webster University in Leiden and have Guest Lectured at AUC, Leiden University, and Artemis. And I am proud to have recently introduced Amsterdam Cinematography Lab: custom-designed, short-term cinematography and film production courses for working photographers, filmmakers, advanced film studies students, and film school graduates.