Famous Cinematographers - List of Famous Cinematographers

The cinematographers are the professionals in charge of the technical and artistic aspects involved in the shooting and development of the film, i.e. movie photography. The cinematographer, often referred to as the director of photography, acts as the film director’s main visual collaborator. During the early days of motion pictures, it was often the director who doubled up as the cinematographer. But with advancements in photography techniques and artificial lightning, the art of cinematography demanded the services of a separate dedicated specialist. The cinematographer’s job is a highly responsible one. In the preproduction stage, the director and the cinematographer discuss the overall vision for film, before embarking on a scene by scene discussion. He then determines the requirements for each scene, arranges for the required equipment and coordinates with other crew members to begin the production stage. At this stage he works closely with the director and guides his crew to ensure that each scene is shot to match the director’s vision. He has to decide the combination of cameras, the camera setups, and lighting arrangements. They also need to ensure that everything is kept within the photography budget. Browse the biographies listed below to explore the life and works of various world famous cinematographers and learn about their lives through their timelines and information about their personal and professional lives.

The Most Famous Cinematographers

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Daniel ModerJanuary 31, 1969AmericanDaniel Moder is an American cinematographer
Ryan BergaraNovember 26, 1990AmericanRyan Bergara is a director, editor, writer, and cinematographer
Sean FujiyoshiAugust 3, 1991AmericanSean Fujiyoshi is a renowned American editor, cinematographer, and producer of Japanese origin
Roger DeakinsMay 24, 1949BritishRoger Deakins is British cinematographer best known for his work in films like ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘No Country for Old Men’
Alton BrownJuly 30, 1962AmericanAlton Brown is a famous American TV personality, reality television star, celebrity chef, actor and author
Quentin TarantinoMarch 27, 1963AmericanQuentin Tarantino is one of Hollywood’s most distinctive directors
Sven NykvistDecember 3, 1922SwedishSven Vilhem Nykvist was a distinguished Swedish cinematographer best known for his work with Swedish director, writer and producer Ingmar Bergman.
David LeanMarch 25, 1908BritishSir David Lean was an Academy award-winning British film director, producer and cinematographer
James Wong HoweAugust 28, 1899ChineseJames Wong Howe was a successful and distinguished Chinese American cinematographer
Jack CardiffSeptember 18, 1914BritishJack Cardiff was a British cinematographer and director who took British cinema to new heights with his mastery of the Technicolor technology
Jack Cardiff

Jack Cardiff

Jack Cardiff was a British cinematographer and director who took British cinema to new heights with his mastery of the Technicolor technology

BritishSeptember 18, 1914117 views

David Lean

Sir David Lean was an Academy award-winning British film director, producer and cinematographer

BritishMarch 25, 1908143 views

Roger Deakins

Roger Deakins is British cinematographer best known for his work in films like ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘No Country for Old Men’

BritishMay 24, 1949218 views

James Wong Howe

James Wong Howe was a successful and distinguished Chinese American cinematographer

ChineseAugust 28, 1899137 views

Sven Nykvist

Sven Vilhem Nykvist was a distinguished Swedish cinematographer best known for his work with Swedish director, writer and producer Ingmar Bergman.

SwedishDecember 3, 1922148 views

Alton Brown

Alton Brown is a famous American TV personality, reality television star, celebrity chef, actor and author

AmericanJuly 30, 1962178 views

Ryan Bergara

Ryan Bergara is a director, editor, writer, and cinematographer

AmericanNovember 26, 1990295 views

Daniel Moder

Daniel Moder is an American cinematographer

AmericanJanuary 31, 1969332 views

Sean Fujiyoshi

Sean Fujiyoshi is a renowned American editor, cinematographer, and producer of Japanese origin

AmericanAugust 3, 1991275 views

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is one of Hollywood’s most distinctive directors

AmericanMarch 27, 1963172 views