Alard De Smidt is a seasoned D.O.P with hundreds of commercials, films, documentaries and other projects under his belt.
Alard began his journey in the film industry as an assistant grip, climbing the ladder to become a Key Grip before realizing his true passion lay behind the camera. Taking a leap of faith, he reset his career, starting afresh in the camera department as a loader and steadily advancing his way up.
His breakthrough came when he landed a remarkable opportunity to work as an operator for Keith Rose on top-notch South African and international commercials. This experience propelled him towards a flourishing career as a successful Director of Photography.
Alard’s readiness to embrace novelty is evident, rooted in his background as a grip, which uniquely equips him to challenge conventional norms.
Thriving amidst challenging shoots in various locations...
Alard demonstrates exceptional skill across genres such as Food, Beauty, Fashion, Cars, Performance, and Animals.
His expertise shines particularly in specialized areas like Underwater, aerial, and other technical shoots, showcasing his mastery in intricate and demanding cinematography.
A Leader and a Collaborator
Alard is the first person I book. He is a leader, a collaborator, a visionary, a friend, a rock solid individual who will carry the whole crew if needs be. I can’t even count the number of times he has “pulled it out of the fire” for me.
Pleasure to Work With
Having produced some incredibly challenging work in the industry, Alard is by far the most invaluable DOP I have worked with. He is a producer’s knight in shining armor, and is an absolute pleasure to work with.
A Remarkable Work Ethic
“What I love about Alard is the support he gives you. He has a unique eye, a remarkable work ethic and he is a brave DP in that he’s open to trying new things. He always has a ton of value to bring to the table and is a great collaborator.