Umit
Gulsen — Cinematographer & Director of Photography in Washington, DC
Cinematography for brands, nonprofits and documentaries — atmospheric, human, and built on two decades of visual storytelling.
Visual thinking,
not just a cinematic look.
I'm a Washington, DC-based Director of Photography with more than 20 years behind the camera, shooting interviews, documentaries and brand films.
I came to cinematography through the director's chair. I grew up on Turkey's Black Sea coast, studied film theory in Istanbul and worked as an assistant director, including on Blue, supervised by Oscar-nominated director Majid Majidi. So when a director talks about tone, rhythm or subtext, I can turn it into lens, light and movement.
Since going freelance in 2015 and finishing my MA at American University, I've shot four seasons of WETA PBS's If You Lived Here, more than 60 stories for The Wall Street Journal, and work for Netflix, HBO, the BBC and Quanta Magazine, often in rooms like the White House and the Federal Reserve.
Whatever the project, I look for the specific soul of it: the rhythm of a place, the honesty of a face, and the light that tells the story.
Full story & behind the scenes → Résumé → DP in Washington, DC →
Technical precision.
Logistical agility.
Atmospheric realism
Every frame is intentional. Composition and light are chosen to serve the story and reveal the people in it — not to chase a generic "cinematic" look.
Fast, lean, ready
A custom-built production van and an integrated camera cart mean quick moves between lighting and camera setups — and more time on set for creativity.
People at ease
From executives to first-time interviewees, I build a calm, respectful set so authentic moments can happen in front of the lens.
One call.
Full package.
I shoot Panasonic for its color science and dual native ISO — 14+ stops of dynamic range at both 800 and 5000. Every camera, lens, light and grip item I use is owned, maintained and arrives with me.
Notes from
behind the lens.
One Day, Five Locations: Filming Science at Carnegie for Quanta Magazine
Filming Inside the White House, the Capitol and Federal Buildings: A DP's Checklist
Lighting a Last-Minute Interview with a Cabinet Secretary
Filming at NASA Goddard: Interviewing a Nobel Laureate for Quanta Magazine
Let's make
something true.
Based in Washington, DC — serving DC, Maryland & Virginia, and available for travel worldwide.