I totally agree with you, in the standardized method of cinematographic production, the image is thanks to the director of photography. Unless it is an auteur film, where in some cases the director acts as a director of photography and is also committed to other aspects of the realization.

I'm not a great director but I know the subject, I come from the theatrical world where, as you mention, the same thing is done as in cinema, in fact I would see cinema in this case as an art child of theatre because all the aspects in which cinema is based come from theatre, adding the camera that takes 24 photos per minute or as we know best the modern cameras, whether film or digital.

going back to the point of realization, in my case in particular in the small productions I have done, I have been very chaplin, I direct myself, I am the director of photography, editing everything. Of course this is a very personal vision and that only applies to short films, in a larger production, no doubt need more people.

Thank you for appreciating this important information related to cinema, I like the didactic way in which you teach.

greetings, peace and love