Rate My Professor Tim Palmer

Tim Palmer is Professor of the Practice in Cinematography in the Department of Film and Television at Boston University College of Communication. He earned a BA in History from the University of California at Berkeley and a Post Graduate Diploma in Cinematography from the National Film and Television School in London, England. With nearly 30 years of experience as a director of photography specializing in high-end television drama series for mainstream networks and streaming services, Palmer has worked on acclaimed productions including The Last Kingdom for Netflix, Killing Eve for BBC America, Line of Duty for Netflix and BBC, Bad Sisters, and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. His contributions to these series have been recognized with significant industry honors.

In 2013, Palmer was invited to join the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) as a full member and serves as a governor on its board of governors. He is also a full member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). That year, he received a nomination for a Royal Television Society award for cinematography on The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. In 2023, Palmer earned a BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series as cinematographer on Bad Sisters, which was honored by Boston University as part of its faculty awards. Palmer authored the book Cinematography and Lighting for Television: A Contemporary Approach, published by Routledge in 2025, which draws on his extensive professional experience in television drama cinematography. At Boston University, he teaches courses in cinematography, including in the department's new film and television studios, and moderates events featuring prominent cinematographers such as Roger Deakins and James Friend. His role bridges industry practice and academic instruction, enhancing student training in production techniques.