Cinematography : What cinematographer inspires you? by Amanda Toney

Great question. Sam McCurdy comes to mind immediately -- his work has a real physicality to it. The way he handles low light and practical sources gives everything he shoots a lived-in quality that feels earned rather than manufactured. The Last of Us is an obvious example, but his range goes well beyond that.

Roger Deakins is the answer a lot of people in this field land on, and for good reason -- the consistency and intentionality he brings across completely different genres is worth studying at any stage of your career.

Will have to check out Detective Hole -- Nordic productions have been doing some genuinely interesting visual work lately. The light up there is its own character.

Who else is on your list?

I've been watching it. The Cinematography is quite lovely. I also love the cinematography of Crime 101. Check it out if you get the chance. Amanda Toney

Lindsay Thompson I totally agree. The Nordic productions have been nothing but amazing, since I have been watching them on Netflix. I definitely think the light up there is its own character.

I have spoken to Anka Malatynska about being my DP.

I’ve been watching the Pitt & Jo Jo’s cinematic work. Getting to see how she does her thing on set to get the shots, constant camera movement, how she views the scenes. It’s been amazing watching

I'm gonna go OLD SCHOOL here. Freddie Yoiung on Lawrence of Arabia and/or DEREK VANLENT for ALIEN. Freddie Young for the light and scope and grandure. See it in the big screen if you don't agree. And the exact opposite- Derek Vanlent for darkness and shadows and fear. I can still see both of these films in my head and I iwillwatch them agian any time I can.

Greig Fraser immediately comes to mind for me, I absolutely adore his work. The way he uses light, shadow, and atmosphere to create mood always feels so intentional and emotionally driven. His cinematography in projects like Dune, The Batman, and most recently in Project Hail Mary is just stunning and such a masterclass in visual storytelling!! Also, I'll have to add Detective Hole to my watchlist!

A few come to mind right away. The obvious one is Roger Deakins, whose lighting looks so effortless and natural, yet moody and expressive in a variety of genres.

Then there is Marie D'avignon, for "Code 8." Beautifully shot, using both anamorphic and rectilinear lenses to reinforce the divide between the government and the oppressed.

And of course "Sinners" had stunning cinematography, mixing 4x3 IMAX with widescreen footage, showing the vastness of the prairies while also getting nice and close and intimate with the characters, shot by Autumn Durald Arkapaw.

Jonathan Freeman who did a number of Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire episodes. I had the pleasure of working with him on a TV movie called Homeland Security which he won an ASC award for. He's also won 3 Primetime Emmys and is now working on Fallout. He is such a professional and kind person and I truly admire him.

Every cinematographer is unique, and sometimes I’ve rewatched a film many times just because of a few beautiful shots.

For me, the cinematography of The Killer directed by David Fincher has been very inspiring. Also, Barry Lyndon directed by Stanley Kubrick, and more recently, One Battle After Another from last year. Directed by PTA

It's interesting that I've never been directly inspired by one cinematographer, but more by a cinematography style and didn't actually know exactly what it was until I went and looked it up just now. The funny thing is that it's not just one cinematographer but many that worked with one director, Tony Scott.

I really love that kind of visuals, the long lenses, the duplicated frame rate, the open shutter angle, the contrast and color palet. I actually used a few of these principles in a music video that I directed a couple of years ago. I got the idea from the film Unstoppable.

I've been lucky to work with many of the best, but Dan Laustsen is and incredible artist and human.

Kazuo Miyagawa

I love Autumn Durald Arkapaw‘s sense of color palette that she created on Sinners with the lighting and just the mood she created embodied a feeling of being in the fire. Almost as if they were in the heart of hell. It was just amazing!

Diz Sharpe ,for Bourne Ultimatum Window Crashing Scene ,he nailed it

I've got a list, Alice Brooks, Christina Alexandra Voros, Ari Wegner, Rachel Morrison, Dan Lautsen, Haris Zambarloukos, Stuart Howell. There's probably more that I can't think of at the moment.

I've got two of them & others on my list too, Jack Teague !

Vilmos Zsigmond (favorite: McCabe & Mrs. Miller)

Andrzej Bartkowiak (favorite: The Verdict. Andrzej’s ability to shoot interior scenes in a stunningly beautiful manner is amazing. Some of the interior shots in The Verdict are etched in my mind. Newman playing pinball. Newman in the bar, talking to Rampling’s character. Just amazing.)

Roger Deakins. (favorite: Sicario)

Fast rising stars:

Autumn Durald Arkapaw. Her photography in Sinners was as good as anything from the 70s. Great cinematography.

Erik Wilson. I really liked the look of Crime 101.

I'm loving all of your responses here. I just watched Crime 101 - several of you brought it up, I agree - that was a beautiful film. (off topic - reminded me of old school 80's/90's movies we used to see - not as good as them - but love those fun rides)