A good place to begin your exploration of technicalities associated with the role of the cinematographer is to read the seminal book The Five C's of Cinematography by Joseph Mascelli. The five C's refer to:

Camera Angles
Continuity
Cutting
Close-Ups
Composition


'A team of grips is under the cinematographer's direction, in order to unload pieces of the camera and dolly, set up the photography equipment, and move the camera and dolly during shots: the chief member of this team is called the "key grip" and has principal responsibility for camera movement.' (Taken from Film Reference: The Cinematographer's Technique)

'Another team, the gaffers, of whom the chief is given the special title, "best boy," handles unpacking, wiring, setting up, filtering, adjusting, and moving all of the lights.'(Read more: The cinematographer's technique - Cinematography - film, show, director, scene http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Academy-Awards-Crime-Films/Cinematography-THE-CINEMATOGRAPHER-S-TECHNIQUE.html#ixzz0wMA4cybQ)

'The camera operator works under the cinematographer to operate the camera during shots. He or she is assisted by one or more focus pullers, who must measure the lens-to-performer distances the shot will require, establish a schedule of focuses for the shot, and achieve consistent focus as the scene continues. It is solely within the province of the cinematographer and his team to peer through the viewfinder of the camera, although in the United States union regulations forbid cinematographers from actually operating cameras.' (Read more: The cinematographer's technique - Cinematography - film, show, director, scene http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Academy-Awards-Crime-Films/Cinematography-THE-CINEMATOGRAPHER-S-TECHNIQUE.html#ixzz0wMAcykd7)