LENSING A LEGEND Combining painterly techniques, subtly shifting aspect ratios and celluloid capture, Pat Scola ASC and director Michael Sarnoski continued their successful production partnership to explore the last chapter of Robin Hood’s life. Having shot all of Michael Sarnoski’s…
SQUID GAME: THE CHALLENGE: CAPTURING TV’S BIGGEST GAME SHOW IN HDR 456 contestants. Ninety cameras recording in HDR. Multiple sets. This was the reality facing the team behind Squid Game: The Challenge. And that made it one of the most…
TRUE FICTION Inspired by real events, Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day follows alien arrival in the US, with Janusz Kamiński shaping its grounded, conspiracy-driven visual approach. One would be hard-pressed to find a filmmaker who has done more to shape how…
Looking back across six decades of social and technological change, Oliver Stapleton BSC explores what has improved, what remains unresolved and why listening matters. As a 78-year-old male, I would have been 15 in 1963. My role models were Sean…
LIVING FOR LIVE For the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, ARRI’s ALEXA 35 Live cameras delivered a cinematic aesthetic that could mark the beginning of a new era for broadcast production. When Austria triumphed at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in…
A DESIGN FOR LIVE As live production evolves, cinematographers moving across to live navigate unpredictability, blending broadcast precision with cinematic ambition in real time, without second takes. Live production is changing shape in real time. What was once defined by…
A HANDMADE TALE Natasha Braier ASC ADF employs expressive imagery, bold colour and inventive cinematography to construct a tactile visual language capable of containing anarchic, genre-bending storytelling. Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters is not a film that sits quietly within convention. A…
Steven Poster ASC examines how the introduction of the Digital Intermediate has shaped filmmaking and details the work of pioneers in this area. No, I did not invent the DI. There were two movies that had used this process before…
A QUIET RADICAL Her name may not be widely known outside cinephile circles, but her influence runs deep. Akiko Ashizawa JSC has built a career shaped by an unwavering commitment to the emotional truth of an image in some of…
REINTRODUCING GILEAD WITH COLOUR AND CONTROL Greta Zozula takes viewers back to Gilead in The Testaments, reworking its visual language—balancing continuity with evolution in lensing, lighting and colour to reflect a world shifting from idealism to disillusionment. I was a huge…
Alê Braga, IMAGO communication director, shares insight into the films that have shaped the work of cinematographers around the world. When cinematographers from over 20 countries are asked which films shaped their way of seeing, the answers reveal something unexpected.…
LIVE WIRE James Cameron and some of the key members of the team behind Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft – The Tour (Live in 3D) reveal how cutting-edge stereoscopic filmmaking is reinventing the concert movie experience. For decades,…
THE LOOK DRIVES RIVALS’ BIGGER, BADDER SECOND SEASON For season two of Rivals, cinematographer John Lynch ISC and The Look senior colourist Thomas Urbye adopted a bolder approach to colour to match the series’ escalating drama. For the second instalment…
DESERT LIGHT: CINE GEAR RETURNS TO UNIVERSAL Held in the kind of bright desert-flecked LA light the late David Hockney liked to paint, a somewhat reconfigured two-day Cine Gear show returned to the Universal lot amidst ongoing existential questions…
ADVENTURES IN ANIMATION Toy Story 5 cinematographer Matt Aspbury discusses how he and the talented team at Pixar continue to create cinematic magic, captivating audiences with new escapades featuring the beloved and iconic toy characters. Matt Aspbury’s journey to becoming…
PUSHING TO THE MAX While Eben Bolter ASC BSC has previously embraced restraint on stunning shows such as The Last of Us, he took the opposite approach with his work on Cape Fear – which embraced maximalism when retelling the…
BUILDING THE BACKROOMS DP Jeremy Cox explains how he helped bring YouTube sensation Backrooms to the big screen in true cinematic style. Backrooms came to me through Chris Ferguson, a producer at Oddfellows. We’d worked together on several projects, so…
PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT While boxing films seem ever-present in cinema, Heavyweight – now available on all VOD platforms in the UK following its theatrical run – brings something completely different to the scene. Boxing has a storied history in…
SHARED VISION Riedel’s acquisition of ARRI marks the beginning of a new chapter for the companies and the industry. Riedel founder and CEO, Thomas Riedel, and ARRI’s Christian Richter and David Bermbach discuss what the deal means for filmmakers and…
LIGHTS, CANNES, ACTION With no Hollywood studio films in competition, Cannes Film Festival championed world cinema and the craftspeople behind the image. We round up some of the productions, filmmakers and topics of conversation that defined this year’s event. The…
BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL Almost four decades after Dolph Lundgren donned the Sword of Power, He-Man is back in live action with Masters of the Universe – which proved a dream come true for DP Fabian Wagner ASC BSC.…
In an era of political chaos and mental health crisis, the antidote may be simpler than we think: get outside, stay present and trust that the world is better than the news suggests. “I am the master of my fate:…
TIME AND TIDE Process is as important as narrative to Mark Jenkin, a filmmaker adopting a liberating analogue approach, shooting on 16mm using his trusty Bolex and embracing imperfections along the way. He reflects on the tactile nature of celluloid…
COURT ON CAMERA Cinematographer Lotta Kilian crafts a restrained, unsettling visual language for Prosecution, using precise framing and naturalistic lighting to explore justice, control and rising extremism in Germany. At the 2026 Berlin Film Festival, during German Films’ annual ‘Face…
REALITY CHECK When shooting coming-of-age tale Mad Bills to Pay instinct and a documentary-inspired method helped cinematographer Rufai Ajala depict a naturalistic portrait of life in the Bronx as a summer of teenage kicks ends and reality sets in. What…
PERFECTING VISUAL LANGUAGE Filmography so far (project title, director, year released) Feature FilmsFilipiñana (Dir. Rafael Manuel, 2026) (Sundance Film Festival 2026: Creative Vision Award)100 Nights of Hero (Dir. Julia Jackman, 2025) (Closing Film at Venice Critics Week and London Film…
Pooja Gupte ISC IWCC explains why she launched Flare Cinematography Film Festival in Mumbai and highlights the important role she believes it can play in the industry’s future. I studied cinematography at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in…
STAYING GROUNDED Surviving Earth DP Olan Collardy explains why he prioritised observational visuals for this touching true-life feature, which follows an Eastern European migrant in Bristol. My journey to shooting Surviving Earth didn’t start with a script. It was one…
STILL PROCESSING Past and present collide as social worker Sasha tries to make sense of what happened 20 years ago to her troubled stepbrother Jeremy in Blue Heron. After a series of short films, Sophy Romvari makes her feature…
Revisiting Big Top Pee-wee for its remaster opens memories of circus shoots, film-era experimentation and the evolving craft of colour in cinema. I’ve been thinking of this next column since I finished the last. I was scheduled to re-master Big…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As LED lighting continues to grow in prominence, DPs and gaffers discuss how the evolving technology influences their work – and what the future may have in store. The last decade has seen LED lighting go from…
PLANET OF THE ADDICTS Cinematographer James Whitaker ASC on shooting Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die — the most technically demanding project of his career and the sequence that kept him testing and guessing until the very last week. We are already…
CALL MY AGENT Agents are the industry’s behind-the-scenes connectors, shaping careers by pairing talent with projects and steering negotiations across a fast-evolving global screen landscape. Instead of the Shooting Summary feature in this issue, we turn our focus to the…
CREATING CHAOS DP James Butler took a swing on a new approach to filmmaking when shooting frantic action film Bedlam, ensuring the audience could feel every hit as hard as its main character. Some titles sum up the character of…
FRAMING THE FUTURE In the third instalment of British Cinematographer’s Agents for Change feature we explore more initiatives, individuals and events transforming the industry. From mental health and representation to access and sustainability, find out who is helping create a…
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Stuart Bentley BSC captures Hamlet using the night and darkness to heighten the tension of this classic tale, with fast-moving, raw visuals that echo the protagonist’s emotional unravelling in London. William Shakespeare’s name never goes out of fashion. Fresh…
Balancing demanding production schedules with family life can be difficult for film and television professionals. Does job sharing offer a solution? ReelTime Media was set up by Michelle Reynolds and Rowan Aust, two friends who share a background as television…
THE CRAFT BEHIND THE CAMERA Ryan Kernaghan ISC and filmmaker Jordan Bryon led a strong night as Adolescence and The Celebrity Traitors triumphed at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards, with BAFTA celebrating the talent behind television’s finest work. They are the people…
THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS Cinematographer Hillary Fyfe Spera explains how Daredevil: Born Again uses location, lighting and anamorphic lenses to execute the gritty feel of the Marvel show. As we speak to Hillary Fyfe Spera, cinematographer on Marvel series…
A WHOLE NEW WORLD A pioneer of stop-motion filmmaking, there are few challenges Dave Alex Riddett BSC hasn’t overcome in the medium – but Boop, which drops a plasticine alien into a Lego world, offered something completely fresh for the…
EXPANDING THE VISION As hit HBO series Euphoria moves beyond the heightened intensity of high school and into the uncertainty of early adulthood in its third and final season, Marcell Rév ASC HCA expands the portrait of youth through wider…
FORCE OF NATURE Jamie D. Ramsay BSC SASC mixed documentary-inspired footage with archive imagery to convey tension when retelling the incredible true story of the 72 hours before D-Day when the unpredictability of weather and one meteorologist’s forecast could have…
THE LOST BOYS Monsoon season, working with minors and a cinematographer on his knees: Mark Wolf BSC reveals the technical thinking behind the first Lord of the Flies series. Sir William Golding’s first novel, Lord of the Flies, has haunted…
A LOVE LETTER TO MANCHESTER With ambitions of crafting a fresh take on the British romantic comedy, cinematographer Rachel Clark BSC and director Alicia MacDonald framed Finding Emily’s unique love story while capturing the vibrant energy of student life in…
IN THE MOMENT Filmography so far (project title, director, year released) Bunnylovr (Dir. Katarina Zhu, 2025) The African Desperate (Dir. Martine Syms, 2022) When did you discover you wanted to be a cinematographer and what inspired you to follow this…
EUROPEAN UNITY Sentimental Value and Sirāt dominated the European Film Awards on a night that emphasised the importance of cinema’s role in fighting division. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the current tension in the global geopolitical sphere, the main theme of this…
Steven Poster reflects on decades of technological change, from film chains to digital intermediates and the ongoing quest to perfect colour representation. One of the greatest pleasures of becoming an elder in our craft is the opportunity to re-master some…
GRIPPING TALES DPs, operators and grips collaborate to produce camerawork that propels the story, be it observational or immersive, dreamlike or down-to-earth. Here are some of their tales. Maja Jensen recently completed her Level 3 Grip Certificate, making her the…
In his first President’s Perspective, Oliver Stapleton BSC highlights challenges, inclusion and support for the next generation of cinematographers. Thank you to Chris Ross BSC for your kind and encouraging words in your final President’s Perspective after four committed years…
ONE TALENT AFTER ANOTHER The BSC Awards may have moved to a new location for 2026, taking residence at The Grosvenor House Hotel, but the focus remained the same: celebrating the best and brightest in cinematography from across the globe. …
NEVER STATIONARY Netflix hit The Vince Staples Show shifts between visual languages, tones and genres with unique results – epitomised by its stunning season two opener, set in a car rental store with a difference… The question mark in this…
BOLDLY GOING WHERE I’D NEVER GONE BEFORE Tommy Maddox-Upshaw ASC reflects on honouring Star Trek’s legacy while crafting a warmer, intimate visual language that balances anamorphic tradition with modern in-camera innovation. I grew up on Star Trek original films and…
SPY HARD The Night Manager returns, plunging Jonathan Pine into espionage. DP Tim Sidell BSC’s precise lens choices, lighting and camera movement render shifting identities, tension and global intrigue with striking clarity. Former MI6 operative Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), now…
THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATERS Telling a powerful tale based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir of the same name, The Chronology of Water’s visuals offer a boldness worthy of its singular story – here, Corey C. Waters explains how he put those…
ANOTHER VICTORY IN VISTAVISION At the BAFTA Film Awards, British Cinematographer caught up with winners who excelled behind and in front of the camera. As One Battle After Another dominated the night with six wins and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein…
MAKING A SPLASH In one of Primate’s most tense sequences, its characters try to escape a bloodthirsty chimp by diving into an infinity pool – Stephen Murphy BSC ISC explains how the impressive set and sequence came together. Most of…
OUT OF TIME An international breakout this awards season, The Secret Agent is a time-capsule throwback that frequently defies expectations. Cinematographer Evgenia Alexandrova AFC talks about digging up old memories and shedding new light on the past. Brazil’s Best International…
LA STORY Crime 101 relies on practical lighting, real streets, compact Sony Venice rigs and remote vehicle cameras to capture high-speed, in-camera thrills safely. Director Bart Layton and cinematographer Erik A Wilson BSC return to the muscular grammar of 1970s American crime…
CRAFT WORK Filmmakers and technicians converged on Evolution London, exploring new tools, ideas and talent, all driven by a passion for cinematography. Oliver Stapleton BSC attended his first Expo as society President, joining members and guests at one of cinematography’s…
OFF THE RAILS As Hijack continues to captivate audiences, the action switches from the skies to Berlin’s underground in series two, with Ed Moore BSC and director Jim Field Smith adopting a darker, more subjective visual language mirroring the characters’…
BY ORDER OF THE PEAKY BLINDERS More than a decade after first shooting the Peaky Blinders series, cinematographer George Steel BSC helps craft a cinematic send-off, combining celluloid shooting, digital capture and a vast location shoot to bring the epic…
DIRTY BUSINESS: THE UNTOLD TRUTH BEHIND BRITAIN’S SEWAGE SCANDAL Sunbelt Rentals’ Lizzy Sutherst catches up with John Pardue BSC to discuss his latest project, Channel 4’s hit political docudrama Dirty Business. Not your usual drama, three-part factual series Dirty Business, written and directed by Joe Bullman, is shot…
WHEN NEEDS MUST Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, shot by Woo-Hyung Kim, uses genre and visual precision to reveal morality eroded by relentless economic pressure. South Korean cinema is often celebrated for blending gripping storytelling with sharp social commentary, using…
TO FLY OR TO FLOAT Working with director Charlotte Peters, Ben Saffer shaped a tender short, To Fly or to Float, about loss, faith and reconnection. Saffer breaks down the intimate approach behind the film’s look and why he shot on the URSA Cine 17K 65. I came into this film with a clear set of references: Kes by Ken Loach, Ratcatcher by Lynne Ramsay and Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold. I was thinking about…
OUT OF THE DARKNESS Frederick Elmes ASC recalls bringing David Lynch’s disturbing debut to the screen, revealing how Eraserhead emerged from the darkness as a singular cinematic vision. Few debuts have been more disturbing than Eraserhead, the surreal body horror…
DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE If the hallmark of a great cinematographer is images that don’t shout louder than the story, then Remi Adefarasin OBE BSC is a master. Remi Adefarasin OBE BSC’s extraordinary body of work, built on over two decades at the BBC, includes a huge variety of film and TV including Band of Brothers and The…
IN THE PICTURE Festival director Marek Żydowicz reveals why this year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE will provide not only a celebration of the art of cinematography, but also a forum for reflection on the role of cinema in today’s world – a space where…
As his time as BSC President draws to a close, Christopher Ross BSC reflects on a period of renewal as well as industry upheaval, highlighting why greater inclusion and a supportive creative community are essential for the future of cinematography. Coda /ˈkəʊdə/ noun By the…
GLAMOUR MEETS PRECARITY The results of the Behind the Lens study on living conditions and working conditions of camera crews in Europe are sobering. Kurt Brazda, chair of the IMAGO Working Conditions Committee, highlights the fundamental transformation of the labour market the study reveals. After one and a half years of intensive work, and…
Strengthening governance, running workshops, connecting members, hosting events, sharing resources, celebrating achievements and honouring Tim Potter’s legacy, the GBCT thrived over the year. The GBCT has had a busy 2025, building on the foundations COO Lorraine Luke laid in her first year.…
LAIRY BIKER Nick Morris brings a restrained, emotionally precise visual style to Harry Lighton’s Pillion, balancing kink, tenderness and British grit through vintage lenses and composed camerawork. When Nick Morris was first contacted by writer-director Harry Lighton about shooting British comedy-drama Pillion, there was…
BOOM AND GLOOM While the UK film and TV sector continues to recover from a prolonged slowdown, international blockbusters are helping sustain demand for studio space — fuelling growth even as domestic production works to regain its footing. The domestic…
A still image has the power to tell an entire story, capturing a moment in time. Celebrating the connection between photography and the moving image, we hear from a group of DPs about their passion for photography and the impact it has…
BOOK SMART From creative classics to technical bibles, cinematographers share the timeless books that have shaped their image-making and storytelling and influenced how they see the world. New Cinematographers by Alexander Ballinger (chosen by Stephen Murphy BSC ISC) “New Cinematographers by Alexander Ballinger was first published in 2004 at a time when books on modern…
WHAT’S IN A NAME? Cinegirl began as a space to amplify women’s filmmaking voices; now, evolving into CineVoices, it embraces a broader, more inclusive community shaping the industry’s future together. When I was approached to write this comment piece, I confess, it came with…
GUIDED BY THE LIGHT Filmography so far (project title, director, year released) Feature film- Here Lies (Dir. Duncan Ward, 2016) Best Cinematography winner Shorts – Mrs & Mr Chips (Dir. Lee Morgan, 2025); The Backway (Dir. Cherno Jagne 2024; Noble Bonds (Dir. Yennis Cheung, 2024); The Shepherd (Dir. Iain Softley, 2023) — second camera, DP John Mathieson BSC; The Last (Dir. Andrew Dobson,…
While cinematographers primarily focus on moving images, many are also skilled photographers, getting a lot out of working with stills – and sharing them with “photo buddies”. This includes Steven Poster ASC… I’ve known many people whose lives are dedicated to photography. I’ve been fortunate to say that from the time I was 12 years old. But of…
MOVIE MAGIC IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Community, craft and the future of cinema were in the spotlight in Palma at the 14th edition of Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. Set against a stunning Mediterranean backdrop, Evolution Mallorca International Festival celebrated not only cinema but the people who create it. With a continued emphasis on craft, collaboration and…
FRAMING THE FUTURE OF FILM From tributes to David Lynch and groundbreaking cinematography to urgent discussions around AI and creative inspiration, Camerimage blended technical innovation in an evolving industry with a celebration of the craft of image-making. The birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus has a museum, planetarium and the…
THE ROAD TO RUIN Peter Deming ASC recounts working on David Lynch’s surreal LA noir Mulholland Drive. Peter Deming ASC was an established DP (Evil Dead II, My Cousin Vinny) before beginning his collaboration with David Lynch first on HBO…
TEUTONIC TALENT Cinematographer Erwin Hillier BSC shaped British cinema with inventive, poetic imagery, from A Canterbury Tale to The Dam Busters, blending artistry and technical mastery across decades of filmmaking. 1911 – 2005 BSC Founding Member Born in Berlin to English and German parents, Erwin Hillier BSC briefly…
A NEW ERA FOR VIRTUAL PRODUCTION AT GARDEN STUDIOS Garden Studios’ extensive hands-on virtual production experience has resulted in a volume stage designed to offer productions greater creative flexibility through smarter design, advanced LED technology and collaborative expertise. Garden Studios is one of the longest running virtual production facilities in the UK;…
PAINTING WITH LED LIGHT Nestled in the heart of Soho, the V Studio at Film Soho is a space where creativity leads and the technology quietly enables the creation of gorgeous images by being able to control both the light…
ANCIENT IDEAS FOR A MODERN WORLD In a sea of uncertainty and soul-sucking corporatisation, one company stands steadfast in offering cinematographers the tools, the time and the care to create art. In the history of filmmaking, periods of rapid expansion are often followed…
SHAKE IT OFF Every scene in The Testament of Ann Lee, following the titular leader of the Shaker Movement, is unique, stylish and supporting of its story. Yet one particular sequence – as Ann and her followers head on a stormy voyage from the UK to the…
FILMING WITH PURPOSE There are many powerful scenes in Iranian drama It Was Just an Accident. However, the penultimate sequence of the film – in which Ebrahim Azizi’s Eghbal is tied to a tree and interrogated by the film’s protagonists – is striking in…
GOING OFF THE GRID Bringing Light Cycles from the Grid to the real world in Tron: Ares was no small feat. Jeff Cronenweth ASC explains how he shot a sci-fi spectacular that’s the latest in a series with a storied visual legacy. …
NOWHERE TO HIDE Edgar Wright’s 2025 The Running Man remakes the Schwarzenegger classic, embracing Stephen King’s darker vision with DP Chung-hoon Chung ASC’s rich cinematography, digital innovation and high-stakes dystopian action. In late 2025, The Running Man raced back to screens, reimagining Stephen King’s 1982 novel, written under…
FRAMED FOR ADVENTURE Cinematographer Caroline Bridges reimagines The Famous Five with nostalgic tungsten glow, cinematic depth and modern LED finesse, blending 1940s Hollywood craft with fresh BBC adventure. Four brave friends — and one loyal dog — set off on adventures that stirred imaginations.…
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH Amy Vincent ASC captures Song Sung Blue, a love story of two musicians inspired by a legendary American singer-songwriter, blending heartfelt performances, infectious musicand the joy of a truly collaborative set. “The film isn’t a Neil Diamond biopic…
LETTING GO By stripping back gear and embracing an organic visual language, Łukasz Żal PSC immerses audiences in the raw, spiritual story of Hamnet, a production crafted by intuition, the natural world and the emotional impact of love and loss. Bringing Hamnet to the screen…
A MOVIE’S METAMORPHOSIS Led by powerhouse performances from leads Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn – with the pair scooping Best Joint Performance at the Tribeca Film Festival – Dragonfly explores an unusual friendship between two vastly different neighbours. Behind the camera, Girls on Film Awards nominee…
BURNING BRIGHT With Avatar: Fire and Ash, the Pandora saga continues, as cinematographer Russell Carpenter ASC details his work on the film, stereoscopic cinematography and a decades-long collaboration with James Cameron. With the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash – the third in the multi-billion dollar grossing sci-fi saga by director James Cameron, all set on the…
TORTURED SOUL Ben Fordesman BSC reveled in collaboration and creative problem-solving with a kindred spirit when lensing Ronan Day-Lewis’ directorial debut and Daniel Day-Lewis’ welcome return to the screen. Ben Fordesman BSC was urged to “stop everything” when he was sent the script for Anemone by agent Grant Illes…
LOVE AND LAVA Ollie Downey BSC recounts shooting The Fires in Iceland, navigating volcanic eruptions, extreme weather and a tiny crew to capture epic visuals on a modest budget. There aren’t too many more exciting calls to get as a cinematographer than to travel to Iceland…
TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY AND TALENT Recently appointed BSC President Oliver Stapleton BSC discusses the evolution of BSC Expo, emerging technologies shaping cinematography and why education, sustainability and global dialogue remain at the heart of the event. How does the event create a global…
POCKET CINEMA Cinematographers Ko-Chin Chen and Tzu-Hao Kao capture Taipei’s raw intimacy on iPhone, using stealth, natural light and minimal crews to deliver immediacy and emotional authenticity. Stripped back and raw, Left-Handed Girl (2025) marks Shih-Ching Tsou’s first solo feature after years…
GREEN SHOOTS Sustainability in film and TV production is no longer optional but essential—and technology, planning and mindset shifts are the keys to making it work without compromising creativity. Going green has become the mantra in recent decades—an essential talking…
Film festivals, from Sundance to Camerimage, preserve cinema’s diversity, spotlight emerging voices and celebrate cinematography’s power to transform ordinary moments into profound, unforgettable images. Leitmotif /ˈlʌɪtməʊˌtiːf/ noun “There are two leitmotifs in his score marking the heroine and her Fairy…
FRAME OF MIND Filmography so far (project title, director, year released) Feature: Teleport (original title: Coyote) – Dustin Curtis Murphy, 2023 Selected Shorts: Imprint – Louis Akihito & Jordan Neill I Am the Prize – Sai Kalwan Tawar, 2024 The…
A week at the Sundance Institute meant film camp for grown-ups — working with Robert Redford, Sally Field and future greats like James Mangold and Paul Thomas Anderson. One of the greatest honours of my career was to be invited…
From commercials to IMAX epics, first assistant Ethan McDonald brings precision, trust and craft to every frame — earning the confidence of cinema’s top storytellers. Selected filmography: Sinners: 2025; first assistant camera A camera The Last Showgirl: 2024; first assistant…
GLOBAL LENS ON CINEMATOGRAPHY IMAGO’s interview series spotlights global cinematographers, revealing how personal histories and cultural roots shape visual storytelling in a shared pursuit of artistic, emotional filmmaking excellence. IMAGO, the International Federation of Cinematographers, supports its mission to unite…
LONDON CALLING With big-name stars descending on Southbank for the London Film Festival, the BFI event is establishing itself as a major autumn pit stop in the awards season rush. Boasting over 200 titles from across the world, as well…
MASTERING FILM WITH GIANTS From clapper boy to Oscar-winning cinematographer, Jack Hildyard BSC shaped British cinema, working with legends like Laurence Olivier and creating classics such as The Bridge on the River Kwai. 1908 – 1990 Founding member President 1965 –…
ONE BATTLE, ONE VISION To craft Paul Thomas Anderson’s road movie with a difference, Michael Bauman set off on a multi-city shoot to capture the director’s wild and wonderful story of epic proportions almost entirely on VistaVision, taking the format…
TAKING THE PLUNGE Cinematographer Steven Breckon reflects on lensing Charlie Polinger’s debut feature The Plague; part body horror, part coming-of-age psychological thriller. From the raw realities of adolescence through to powerful underwater scenes, the team captured a unique tale of…
A TERRIFYING TENANT The Man in My Basement sees down-on-his-luck Charles become even more unlucky when a strange man takes residence in his cellar. Using lights and, more importantly, the absence of them, Ula Pontikos BSC worked with director Nadia…
MEMORY IN MOTION From shooting in Nigeria to walking the red carpet at the Cannes premiere, Jermaine Edwards’ cinematographic journey with My Father’s Shadow—his first feature—saw him explore capturing the feeling of childhood memory on 16mm celluloid. A child’s-eye view…
CAPTIVE CURIOSITY Robbie Ryan BSC ISC reveals how he created tension—largely within the confines of a basement setting—and the VistaVision adventure he enjoyed, working with rare cameras to craft one of Yorgos Lanthimos’ most technically ambitious films. Spanning The Favourite,…
AI, robotic cameras and digital shifts are redefining filmmaking. It’s time to explore whether all crews will adapt, survive or be sidelined in this bold new era of the media industry. This year’s Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS) featured…
TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS Recognised as one of the premier picture post-production companies in the world, The Look has already supported a wide range of high-profile projects – from experimental thrillers like Ballad of a Small Player to buzzy Prime…
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing ignites late-’90s Big Apple grit, with Austin Butler leading and cinematography from Matthew Libatique ASC LPS fuelling the chaos in this fast-paced crime thriller. Charlie Huston’s cult noir novel Caught Stealing gets the big screen…
RETURNING TO OZ Last year’s Wicked defied not only gravity but expectations, nominated for 10 Academy Awards and banking $750 million at the global box office, becoming the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time. Alice Brooks ASC explains…
THE LION’S DEN Family drama Father Mother Sister Brother claims the Golden Lion at Venice, beating the bookies’ favourite, a film that left critics in tears. The 82nd Venice Film Festival had many talking points, but the most wildly debated was surely…
Meet the organisations taking important steps towards a more sustainable film and television industry. Get Set Hire At Get Set Hire we have everything you could possibly need for your TV or film production: from Motorola radios to director’s chairs, from costume…
From epic blockbusters to intimate dramas, the leading post houses and labs power 2025’s most anticipated screen stories. Cinelab Film & Digital has recently supported a number of major productions with both film and digital services. The company provided digital…
PORTRAIT OF A FRACTURED MIND Reuniting with Lynne Ramsay, Seamus McGarvey ASC BSC ISC pushed visual boundaries when framing a tortured soul; finding the heartbreaking beauty along the way as the mental state of Die My Love’s central character gradually…
BRINGING A CLASSIC TO LIFE Very few stories are as well-known as Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror Frankenstein, but if any filmmaker can add a fresh twist to the tale, it’s Guillermo del Toro. Longtime collaborator Dan Laustsen ASC DFF explains…
BRILLIANCE IN THE BALKANS Bitola’s Manaki Brothers Film Festival dazzled with masterclasses, awards and global guests, celebrating cinematography’s artistry under new direction — a vibrant tribute to filmmaking’s enduring soul. For each visit to the ”Manaki Brothers” Film Festival, I…
PULLING UP TREES Following a logger in 1900s Washington, US, Train Dreams uses a grand canvas to tell a personal story – Adolpho Veloso ABC AIP explains how he and writer-director Clint Bentley crafted a period piece that feels relatable…
FEELING A MOMENT Timely tale A House of Dynamite is lensed in an authentic, intimate and honest way by Barry Ackroyd BSC, capturing the increasing threat and tension as the story is revealed from multiple perspectives. Viewing filmmaking as an…
The next era of filmmaking will not be defined by technology alone as remaining connected to our authentic creative voice continues to be at the heart of the cinematographic process, says Christopher Ross BSC. Creativity /kriːeɪˈtɪvɪti/ Noun the use of…
For the first time in its 106-year history, the ASC is led by a woman—the new president writes about her dedication to opportunity, inclusivity and supporting future storytellers. The American Society of Cinematographers is a 106-year-old organisation and my presidency…
As Hollywood weathers uncertainty and rapid changes, Steven Poster ASC reflects on past golden ages, digital disruption and the creative resilience needed for what’s next. It is such a difficult time around the globe right now. I have been thinking…
TAKING A PUNT Fresh off basketball drama Rez Ball, Kira Kelly ASC instantly turned her attention to another sport in Him. Yet, blending American football with surrealist horror, this shoot proved a very different experience for the filmmaker… “Unless a…
THE GLOBETROTTER Osmond Borradaile BSC, a pioneering cinematographer, captured epic moments across continents, from war zones to Hollywood, earning accolades and a legacy in film history. Osmond Borradaile BSC was born in 1898 in Winnipeg, Canada, the youngest child of…
HIGH STAKES Making Ballad of a Small Player meant striking a careful balance between atmosphere and restraint. Cinematographer James Friend ASC BSC reflects on the contrasting challenges of filming in Macau’s tightly controlled casinos and on the open waters of Lamma Bay. …
MASTERING MONOCHROME Black-and-white cinematography continues to inspire striking visual storytelling, with filmmakers embracing its expressive power through digital innovation, historic references and bold photographic techniques. Colour and monochrome cinematography was once considered so different that there were, for a long…
Industry insiders share their journeys to securing film funding—insider tips, lessons learnt, and the real stories behind making projects happen against all odds. When we watch something on screen — whether in the immersive darkness of a cinema or on…
CONNECTION TO THE CRAFT Filmography so far (project title, director, year released) Feature films: Finding The First South Asian Lioness (Dir. Abbey Monteiro, 2025) Demon (Dir. George Louis Bartlett, 2021) Short films: Rock, Paper, Scissors (Dir. Franz Böhm, 2024) The…
TUNNEL VISION Using high-speed Venice 2 photography, practical lighting and selective VFX, Outrageous evokes fractured memory, culminating in a stylised, slow-motion “Cathedral of Light” at Nuremberg. Outrageous is narrated by eldest sibling Nancy Mitford, who opens the show by describing…
LIGHTS, CAMERA, KRYPTON! That thing you saw in the sky this past summer may not have been a bird or a plane, but more likely Warner Bros’ newly lifted hopes for a rebooted DC film universe, thanks to the critical…
SPEED AND CONTROL IN A BULB From submarines to missile silos, Emmy-nominated cinematographer Jimmy Lindsey ASC harnesses compact, LED fixtures to move at the speed of a TV schedule without sacrificing cinematic scale — transforming the way he paints with…
SIGNS OF THE TIMES Ollie Downey BSC relied on Astera tubes with diffusion socks and HMIs outside windows to light Reunion, managing a tight schedule and high page count with a traditional yet effective lighting setup. The BBC drama miniseries Reunion is widely…
A TUNISIAN TALE Writer-director Erige Sehiri reunites with cinematographer Frida Marzouk AFC on Promised Sky, capturing intimate performances in Tunis with a naturalistic, handheld style and Panavision lenses. Telling the story of three women whose lives intersect in modern-day Tunis, Promised…
LIGHTING THE UNSEEN Uwe Greiner shares insight into how he used Aputure to shape the visual world of Nine Perfect Strangers. When Nine Perfect Strangers returned for a second season, the production left behind the eucalyptus forests of Australia and…
A REVOLUTIONARY ART Nouvelle Vague recounts the production of Jean-Luc Godard’s seminal debut Breathless in fascinating detail, marking a triumphant pairing between Richard Linklater and rising French cinematographer David Chambille. Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) spirits audiences to that…
MISFITS COME OF AGE Selecting tools and techniques to reflect the energy or intimacy of a scene were essential for Si Bell BSC, Kate Reid BSC and Neus Ollé BSC AEC when lensing the screen adaptation of the witty and…
SPACE ACE Jess Hall ASC BSC reinvents Marvel’s retro-future aesthetic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, blending 1960s inspiration with cutting-edge IMAX technology for a unique visual journey. The story of Marvel Comics began in 1939 with the founding of Timely Publications, which…
A LENS ON LIFE From spontaneous dance routines through to the end of the world, The Life of Chuck’s unique narrative commanded an equally distinctive filmmaking approach to translate Stephen King’s short story celebration of what it means to be…
A NEW FRAME FOR ARMENIAN CINEMA The Armenian Cinematographers Guild, in partnership with the Golden Apricot International Film Festival, IMAGO, Woods Center and GAIFF Pro, launched its first professional Master Class series in July. But this wasn’t just a string…
Scotland’s first GBCT Steadicam course gave trainees the chance to develop practical skills through hands-on training with top industry professionals. The GBCT and Tiffen ran Scotland’s first Steadicam workshop in January, supported by ScreenSkills and NoDrama’s James Jones. Tutors Gareth…
CAPTURING THE CHAOS OF THE ER Johanna Coelho reveals how she shot The Pitt’s 15-hour ER shift, using immersive 360-degree sets, handheld intimacy and inventive lighting to bring every moment to life. When I first read the scripts for The…
The newest cohort of Full and Associate members of the BSC have been revealed. Learn more about the accomplished cinematographers and camera operators who have been invited to join the society. Aaron Reid BSC Selected credits Supacell; The Walk-In; A…
STARS OF THE SOCIETY It was time to celebrate as well as reminisce as the BSC’s summer gathering brought the society’s charm and sparkle to Windsor. The annual BSC Summer Lunch was again held at the stunning De Vere Beaumont…
REFRAMING THE CONCERT FILM Erik Messerschmidt ASC takes us behind the scenes of monochrome music creation, Bono: Stories of Surrender, to explore the making of a bold, immersive and intimate concert film. The passion to ensure a project came to…
BRINGING TRUTH TO LIGHT Balazs Bolygo BSC HCA crafts a rigorous, multi-format reconstruction, using lighting to underscore emotional proximity, institutional detachment, and shifting perspectives in Jean Charles de Menezes’ tragic misidentification. The four-part Disney+ series Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles…
CREATIVE DRIVE The need for speed and authenticity was the driving force behind one of this year’s most highly anticipated cinematic events— F1: The Movie. Claudio Miranda ASC ACC details the method he and director Joseph Kosinski implemented when lensing…
CULINARY CONSISTENCY Lauded as one of this generation’s most beloved shows, Andrew Wehde fills us in on how he has cultivated The Bear’s distinct visual style over four seasons. As the FX juggernaut airs its fourth instalment, Andrew Wehde has…
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