Top 10 Cinematographers of All Time

[@NickOwens]

What I love about Cinefix lists is that they're more like cinema history lessons than a list of opinions.

[@AdarshKumar-nj7rp]

120percentNick They are so much better than the overrated WatchMojo

[@aarond9563]

I think they're equally both which is great.

[@stan7816]

I agree. You should check out CinemaTyler. Probably my favorite channel about film.

[@shivamsikka2753]

And that's stupid

[@marcusbrsp]

Agreed, although the political correct number 2 spot for a female felt a tad dubious.

[@snail9041]

these are some good cinnamon topographers

[@wids]

snail This made me laugh more than it should

[@mrrevan813]

+Juan Olivo Same here haha

[@bananajib]

Savage. Just an absolutely savage joke. Well done. America thanks you.

[@schmoborama]

XD

[@louderthangod]

Mmmmmmm....I love me some lemon cartographers.

[@everythingisawesome2903]

Roger Deakins has been nominated 13 times for his cinematography, but the guy never won an Oscar. I hope he finally win one for Blade Runner 2049.

[@Advent3546]

Ujjwal Uniyal Long overdue. He is so far the Peter O'Toole of cinematographers.

[@leobergmiller873]

Ujjwal Uniyal He fucking just by the trailers I can tell that that will be one of the most visually stunning movies I will ever see

[@TheGeorgeD13]

Some reviewers for Blade Runner 2049 say that he's the one to beat right now seeing what he did visually for that movie.

[@sudevsen]

Ujjwal Uniyal currently it's him or Hoytema for Dunkirk

[@WritingGeekNL]

John Williams also won just 5/45 oscars, so yeah, a god does not need an oscar.

[@idojacoby6984]

Emmanuel Lubezki is pushing many boundaries of cinematography, he deserves a place, every movie that he makes gives you an unmatched take on different types of cinematography

[@wc6046]

Who exactly would he be replacing on this list

[@idojacoby6984]

@@wc6046 to me, he is the best cinematographer in the modern era

[@wc6046]

@@idojacoby6984 So you’d put him over Deakins?

[@archetypique]

I'd put him over Kamiński. Kamiński is often loud and obvious.

[@LanaaAmor]

@@wc6046 he's definitely better than deakins, he got more oscars that too earlier in his career

[@nehaljhirmaria]

Just watched 1917 and Deakins is again getting an Oscar!

[@ravindrasinghr69]

Good taste 👍

[@pixelbasedlifeforms]

Again? He never got one before. Although nominated like 10 times.

[@angelotrinidad6888]

pixelbasedlifeforms He first won for Blade Runner 2049 (2017) then recently for 1917...

[@mannymanix8421]

Really? I found the film to be utterly boring and emotionally empty. Well I suppose that’s the problem of the director and the writer, not the cinematographer.

[@sarwozenpikir]

@@pixelbasedlifeforms 15 total nominations. 2 wins 13 lost. he deserve more

[@dwkellyiii]

I may have missed a few, but here is every film shown in this video sorted by year for everyone that wants to study these films: (1895) Cordeliers Square at Lyons (1895) Employees Leaving the Lumiere Factory (1895) L’Arrivee d’un Train en Gare de la Ciott (1895) Watered Waterer, The (1896) Come Along Do (1898) Adventures of William Tell (1898) Astronomer’s Dream, The (1899) Mysterious Portrait, The (1900) As Seen Through a Telescope (1900) Mystic Swing, The (1901) Magician’s Cavern, The (1902) A Trip to the Moon (1903) Great Train Robbery, The (1903) Life of an American Fireman (1905) New York Subway (1909) Edgar Allen Poe (1910) Ramona (1911) Enoch Arden (1912) With Our King and Queen Through India (1915) Birth of a Nation, The (1916) Intolerance (1919) Miracle Man, The (1920) Der Golem (1921) Haunted Castle, The (1921) Orphans of the Storm (1922) Nosferatu (1925) Ben-Hur (1927) Metropolis (1927) Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1928) Street Angel (1932) A Farewell to Arms (1932) Scarface (1933) Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse (1933) Footlight Parade (1934) Affairs of Cellini, The (1934) Thin Man, The (1935) Becky Sharp (1935) Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935) Les Miserables (1936) Garden of Allah, The (1939) Gone With the Wind (1939) Midnight (1939) Wizard of Oz, The (1939) Wuthering Heights (1940) Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) Angels over Broadway (1940) Grapes of Wrath, The (1940) Long Voyage Home, The (1941) Citizen Kane (1942) Jungle Book (1943) For Whom the Bell Tolls (1946) Dust in the Sun (1946) Paisan (1947) Black Narcissus (1950) Rashomon (1951) African Queen, The (1951) Strangers on a Train (1952) Miracle Lady of Our Lady Fatima, The (1953) How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) Sawdust and Tinsel (1953) Ugetsu (1954) Dial M for Murder (1954) Rear Window (1954) Sansho the Baliff (1955) Pather Panchali (1955) To Catch a Thief (1956) Aparajito (1956) Man Who Knew Too Much, The (1956) Street of Shame (1957) Cranes Are Flying, The (1957) Seventh Seal, The (1958) Once Upon a Time in the West (1958) Vertigo (1959) 400 Blows, The (1959) Ben-Hur (1959) Floating Weeds (1959) North by Northwest (1959) Solomon and Sheba (1960) Breathless (1960) La Dolce Vita (1960) Virgin Spring, The (1961) Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) Through a Glass Darkly (1961) Yojimbo (1962) How the West Was Won (1962) Lawrence of Arabia (1963) Le Mepris (1963) Silence, The (1964) Bande a Part (1964) Birds, The (1964) Marnie (1964) Soy Cuba (1965) Doctor Zhivago (1966) Andrei Rublev (1966) Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, The (1966) Persona (1967) Cool Hand Luke (1967) Doctor Doolittle (1967) Le Samourai (1967) You Only Live Twice (1968) Thomas Crowne Affair, The (1969) Battle of Britain (1969) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1970) Conformist, The (1970) Ryan’s Daughter (1971) McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1972) Cries and Whispers (1972) Godfather, The (1972) Last Tango in Paris (1972) Solaris (1973) Exorcist, The (1975) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1976) All the President’s Men (1976) Rocky (1977) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1978) Autumn Sonata (1978) Days of Heaven (1979) Apocalypse Now (1979) Kramer vs Kramer (1980) Heaven’s Gate (1980) Kagemusha (1980) Shining, The (1981) Reds (1982) Blade Runner (1982) Fanny and Alexander (1982) Tron (1984) 1984 (1985) Ladyhawke (1986) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Sacrifice, The (1987) Last Emperor, The (1990) Ju Don (1991) Barton Fink (1991) Delicatessen (1991) JFK (1991) Once Upon a Time in China (1991) Point Break (1991) Silence of the Lambs, The (1992) Roja (1993) Farewell My Concubine (1993) Schindler’s List (1994) Natural Born Killers (1994) Shawshank Redemption, The (1995) Dead Man Walking (1995) Seven (1996) Fargo (1997) Amistad (1997) Fifth Element, The (1997) Gattaca (1997) Kundun (1997) Titanic (1998) Armageddon (1998) Dil Se… (1998) Happiness (1998) Pleasantville (1998) Saving Private Ryan (1998) Thin Red Line, The (2000) Amores Perres (2000) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000) In the Mood for Love (2000) O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001) A Beautiful Mind (2001) Artificial Intelligence (2001) Black Hawk Down (2001) Blow (2001) Man Who Wasn’t There, The (2001) Tape (2001) Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002) Catch Me If You Can (2002) Hero (2002) Minority Report (2003) Last Samurai, The (2003) Lost in Translation (2003) Russian Ark (2004) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) House of Flying Daggers (2004) Kill Bill (2005) Brokeback Mountain (2005) Jarhead (2005) Munich (2005) New World, The (2005) Squid and the Whale, The (2005) Syriana (2005) War of the Worlds (2006) Curse of the Golden Flower (2007) Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The (2007) No Country for Old Men (2007) There Will Be Blood (2008) Australia (2008) Be Kind Rewind (2008) Che (2008) Forbidden Kingdom, The (2008) Let the Right One In (2008) Revolutionary Road (2008) Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Wrestler, The (2009) Avatar (2009) Bodyguards and Assassins (2009) Terminator Salvation (2010) Inception (2010) Social Network, The (2010) Tron: Legacy (2011) Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The (2011) Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol (2011) Tree of Life, The (2012) Act of Valor (2012) Hunt, The (2012) Life of Pi (2012) Magic Mike (2012) Moonrise Kingdom (2012) Skyfall (2013) Fruitvale Station (2013) Gravity (2013) Prisoners (2014) Birdman (2014) Gone Girl (2015) Creed (2015) Freeheld (2015) Revenant, The (2015) Sicario (2015) Visit, The (2016) Girl on the Train, The (2016) Hidden Figures (2016) Neon Demon, The (2017) Dunkirk

[@nigelft]

Dennis Kelly Hate to be That Guy, but spotted a couple of mistakes ... (1951) Stangers on a Train is listed twice. (1954) Rear Window (not 'Read Window') ... Also, you rightly start of putting the The's at the end of the title, but at some point, they crept into the begining ... But otherwise, great job, and thanks for all that hard work ... will need a whole new bookcase to start collecting them ...

[@dwkellyiii]

...and fixed. I figured I missed a couple mistakes. I was typing it all out quickly, and just hit sort, so I'm surprised I didn't have more repeats and typos.

[@Willi4mTrinh]

You're a hero my friend. I was going to painstakingly go through the video and make a list to look up the films later to watch but you have already done so. We are strangers, but I wish you health and prosperity.

[@ayodeleawolalu]

Bro thank you!!!! wow

[@Fil1922]

thank you dude!

[@TheCreepypro]

I'm not going to pretend I know anything about cinematography by saying anything as pretentious as how good this list is instead I'll just thank you for bringing to my attention 10 great cinematographers that I wasn't aware of till now

[@danielgardecki1046]

It's only today I found out that 'Cinematographers' and 'Directors of Photography' were basically the same thing. I thought DOP's just went around taking photo's of the actors and filming until now.

[@mo0omo]

I’m not even gonna write my own original comment here and instead I’ll just say that you wrote exactly what I was thinking

[@Deviltriggerfounder]

you do sound pretentious tho

[@MindGameStudios]

Roger Deakins is a man whose name deserves to be heralded the same way we do our most famous actors and directors. He is an indispensable gift and treasure to modern cinema.

[@i-deni-i5138]

MindGame Studios true. But I would really love people mentioning Janusz Kaminski or Bruno Delbonnel more and not 90% Roger Deakins. In my opinion no living cinematographer stands a chance against Janusz Kaminski.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

Absolutely, an amazing cinematographer that captures all the nuances and details of the shot, his done so many films of many genres and many ones that we love, including The Shawshank Redemption, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men, 007 Skyfall, Prisoners, Sicario, Blade Runner 2049 and 1917, which includes his numerous collaborations with directors such as The Coen Brothers, Sam Mendes and Denis Villeneuve. His a cinematographer so acclaimed and well-known that the rest of the cast and crew speak openly and very highly of his work in press promotion runs and interviews, I read that one of the reasons a lot of the actors in some of the films he photographed signed on for them was because of him being involved with the production, Tim Robbins even personally recommended him for The Shawshank Redemption when the producers were looking for a cinematographer based upon his work on The Hudsucker Proxy.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

@@i-deni-i5138 Kaminski is a great cinematographer and a lot of it is due to his excellent work on Steven Spielberg’s films which started 30 years ago with Schindler’s List where he captured a lot with his black and white cinematography giving it a timeless look based upon classic German Expressionism. Saving Private Ryan he used great techniques including removing the protective lens and using bleach bypass to give the film muted colours much like the historical footage seen in WWII newsreels and documentaries.

[@Elerad]

Deakins' work on The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford should be required viewing for all aspiring cinematographers. In particular, the train robbery scene is a masterclass in lighting and mood.

[@edwinbelete76]

Elerad Thank you! I could not agree with you more. It’s a crime he didn’t win the Oscar for that film.

[@muhammadnurinordin2444]

Finally somebody said it

[@maciek8159]

@@muhammadnurinordin2444 I love cinematography and I tried watching that film and only got like 45 mins in. It’s so damn slow and boring! But the cinematography was excellent!

[@tomb4575]

@@maciek8159 True. If the movie is bloated you can't notice nuance with glazed eyes.

[@maciek8159]

@@tomb4575 did you enjoy the film? Or just the cinematography?

[@themaven8371]

There is a reason all the modern cinematographers have a mention of Freddie Young in their synopses,the man practically invented wide screen epic filming.Until you have actual seen one of his movies in a full size theater with a full size screen and an actual 70mm print you cannot imagine the impact it had.It was what saved movies from TV in the sixties.

[@doubleoscar773]

Can you just make like a Top Ten Roger Deakins Shots of All Time or something. I honestly could just sit and watch his work all day

[@knutrokne3653]

I completely agree, and second this motion!

[@tomboz777]

Half of it would just contain shots from Assaination of Jessie James(...)

[@fredbyoutubing]

Yes that! I just realized how many of my favorite movies he actually worked on without me knowing. Basically every movie that I had to rematch several times just because they look so good.

[@nigelft]

Me too ... Roger Deakins reminds me so much of J. M. W. Turner, for so many, many, reasons ... the guy paints with light ... you can take almost any shot/frame of his (see the Sunset Shot in Sicario, of the CIA/Delta team heading towards the tunnel), print, frame it, and sell it as art in, and of, its own right ... The only Roger Deakins film I won't own is the dreadful Coen Brothers remake of 'The Ladykillers', simply because the Orginal Ealing Studio version is far superior... but that is the only exception to the OG of cinematography...

[@crimebodge7274]

I second that. The steam train, hijack at nighttime was breathtaking.

[@TheGoldSwordSquad]

The cinematography can always trick me into thinking a mediocre movie is actually an amazing movie.

[@nischal560]

That is the case with Raging Bull for me. Great cinematography and acting, but movie was meh.

[@SidV101]

Ghost in the Shell was so gorgeous I almost wanted to forgive it for the atrociously bad dialogue. Almost.

[@josephvanburen1329]

Brilliant yeah Terrence malick's movies are proof of that.

[@marshallzane7735]

TheFlyingSnake Are you insane lol??

[@sMASHsound]

Sometimes u have to separate the two, it can be beautiful rubbish. Trinis legacy is perfect example. Yhe look and the sound are the only good things about it.

[@addictedtosurgar]

IVE BEEN WANTING AND WAITING FOR THIS! I could discuss cinematography all day. This channel is a godsend. Cinefix top 10 all day every day

[@jimi3314]

As long as Deakins got number one I am good with this list. He is seriously an expert in his field.

[@sameerahmed-gx8js]

He's not number 1..... He's the best cinematographer living today or modern era not all time

[@MoeGunz]

Conrad Hall is my number 1. Robert Richardson and Deakins are tied for me.

[@peacefworld]

Conrad Hall was better. Roger Deakins is the best among working cinematographers now.

[@crimebodge7274]

And yet not a single shot from the "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" which is probably Deakins' greatest work.

[@shan9886]

there is at 15:22

[@masteryoda3947]

Personally, I think Deakin's best is Blade Runner 2049

[@mannymanix8421]

You are so so correct. That is Deakins best work. And for me, since then, he has been going downhill, not uphill. He can still be great, but I think he’s gotten lazy since he’s switched over to digital.

[@nikolatesla5553]

How can you pick one of his many masterpieces as the best? I couldn't. IMV, any of his work with the Coens might be his best work. I think back to A Beautiful Mind and Shawshank Redemption. Of course he won the Oscar for 1917 and Blade runner 2049. He didn't win the Oscar for The Assassination of Jessie James. But then he was up against himself that year in No Country for Old Men.

[@JohnnyNiteTrain]

And the orange dusty shot in BR 2049

[@kingofwakanda6899]

Two words: Roger. Deakins. In my eyes he’s the greatest of all time. His work is incredible and many of his shots have brought a tear to my eye. Fucking incredible and he BETTER finally get his Oscar for Blade Runner 2049.

[@michaelpement5168]

Yo King of Wakanda, I haven't seen you comment on the Schmoedown vids in a while. Where have you been?

[@AndrewPRoberts]

Skyfall tho

[@kingofwakanda6899]

Michael Pement been busy lol

[@jakescheer9167]

King of Wakanda I could NOT agree more!!!

[@i_dont_know_who_i_am69]

Look, I'm excited for 2049,and i think he's a legend, but i think the guy who was in charge of the cinematography in Children of Men is still the GOAT (and somehow I forget his name)

[@mattiazisa735]

Roger Deakins, Vittorio Storaro and Emmanuel Lubetzky's talent is in an another planet, they are incredible in every movie they do.

[@AakashBhadoriaHAL9000]

What I love about this channel is that it's about so much more than a count down. I don't even care if my favourite is the number one because anyone who gets mentioned in these videos is someone who's contributed to cinema and whose work we ought to explore.

[@LiebensteinMovies]

It's always hard with these lists, because the chance to miss something really important is really big. "Das Boot" with Jost Vacano. He invented a special stabilizing system together with Arri to record in the small space of a recreated interieur of a WWII submarine. With that German movie "Das Boot" and it's six Oscar nominees, Hollywood got aware of small Munich company Arri. This at least was the international start for Arri and Arri's way into nearly all Hollywood movies today. Without Vacano the camera world would be totally different today. Possibly you could make an own video only about this real special story. Volcano got an award "Society of Camera Operators Historical Shot for Jost Vacano for the scene of running through the boat 2011". This stabilization system he invented is used up to day. Or watch again "Basic Instinct" and think about lighting , color, shadows. Simply the rain scene in the car is absolutely stunning. By the way Jan de Bont makes also a submarine movie "Hunt for red October", where nothing is recorded under water, and another visually great movie with "Minority report". And Dean Semmler and his way from "Mad Max 2", "Dances with wolves", "Waterworld" and of course "Apocalypto".

[@mrflipperinvader7922]

Jan De Bont really is an overlooked talent

[@tb4522]

Great list. But even though you mentioned him briefly, I think Jack Cardiff should've been one of the top ten. He was so influential in color cinematography & if you've ever seen a Powell & Pressburger film with a live audience, his shots literally take people's breath away. Also, Days of Heaven is the most beautiful movie in the 70's, IMHO.

[@marinlepur1385]

I hope Deakins wins an Oscar for Blade Runner 2049

[@shakesmctremens178]

Aw, I bet he gets one before then.

[@Venom-yh7vb]

Hoyte Van Hoytema tho... Poor Deakins, always either gets snubbed or just nominated against tougher competition...

[@emigrant1510]

Venom There's no way Deakins is losing this year. Dunkirk looks great and War looks even better but Blade Runner is the absolute most gorgeous-looking film of this year. I don't think anything will come as close.

[@rivuray5034]

13 nominations 0 Oscar. Leo can go suck it.

[@imasepan]

Venom hoyte cannot match the skill and experience roger has.

[@MaximeSourbeer]

Man what a great display of beautiful and timeless masterpieces. Makes me want to watch all of them on a big screen in a nice and crisp resolution

[@tatehildyard5332]

Maxime S. I feel like they should have added a spot for digital cinematography. Some cinematographers really flourish with what digital can give them that film can't.

[@Advent3546]

Bold stance putting Emmanuel Lubezki in an honorable mentions slot.

[@michaeldonovan4793]

emanuelle lubeski has won the last three academy awards for cinematography- gravity, the revenant and birdman...

[@michaelotis223]

All of them well deserved!

[@racewiththefalcons1]

Łukasz Żal is a name to keep an eye on. His work on Ida and Cold War is some of the best B&W cinematography ever.

[@vinylisland6386]

Agreed. A master already.

[@Robertinchains24]

Deakins is amazing, but this list only briefly mentions Lubezki. I love this man's work. Actually he's one of the reasons I started learning about this topic. His work in Gravity is spectacular, but with The Revenant!!! OMG that's something else. I mean Tree of life, Children of Men and the list goes on and on. Emmanuel Lubezki is a true artist and should have been on this list. Just the work in the mid second act scene on tree of life alone would put him in the list. That movie has no CGI and explains the The Creation of the universe!! Cinefix you dropped the ball with this guy.

[@desgaddi]

Damn ! That's a good list for sure but... Lubezki seriously deserved more thant juste a honorable mention. The Tree Of Life, Gravity, Birdman, Knight Of Cups, Children Of Men, Ali, The Revenant, Song to Song... Definitely the best ever according to me...

[@simtekgroup3080]

The Tree Of Life is imho the best lensed film of the last 20 years

[@daviddonnelly585]

He got 2, actually

[@osareafallire]

@@daviddonnelly585 One less mention than Oscars. That seems reasonable.

[@i-deni-i5138]

All beautiful films, but his cinematography is repetetive.

[@birajsingha9879]

I agree but they need a female category too and now a days their are lots of amazing cinematographers are here.

[@nelsonhoffman5922]

I'm just here waiting for the great Roger Deakins himself to comment and express his approval this video :)

[@matthew_a_berg]

Okay fine: Roger Deakins deserves #1 but my favorite DP is Emmanuel Lubezki and the fact that he didn't even get a spot on this list is ridiculous.

[@nesinfante]

Gabriel Figueroa>Lubezki

[@shivaramsr5610]

[@dylanoconnell2332]

The list is clearly going by categories. So it's not that he's in the top 10, it's that there was a spot for "Today", and that went to Deakins. Which is a fair enough way to make a list, you can make it representative rather than try and compare different contexts/eras. Personally, I think Lubezki hits higher peaks than Deakins, although Deakins total body of work is much broader. Both are fair contemporary picks though.

[@MrMortombachman]

Don't see how creed and the wrestler justify the number 2 spot.

[@aet5807]

These guys weren’t ranked, it was done in chronological order.

[@100FilmsandOtherStuff]

Late to the party here, but Sacha Vierny is still one of my favourite cinematographers. He was an absolute genius!

[@shreyaskonaje2915]

how did you miss Emmanuel Lubezski. One of the best cinematographers working today

[@nickparadies350]

They brought him up twice

[@mollejas]

They needed a female cuota...

[@spandanmukherjee7013]

@@mollejas wtf?

[@samarsinghholkar4044]

@@mollejas I mean did you watch Creed. That spot was totally deserved.

[@axrt]

He did mention him @ 9:13 but he said he is from southamerica 😐?? as well as Rodrigo Prieto

[@fervalencia30]

The second this video started I knew Deakins would be #1. You adore him. I think Lubezki should have been in the actual list and not just mentioned twice. Winning three oscars in a row, plus the one he deserved in Tree of Life, having a unique style, innovating technics with Cuarón, this are all great achievements for a cinematographer.

[@MrCapone1996]

Fernando Valencia he deserved it for Children of Men too

[@spacemanmethod9307]

Rodger Deakins #1 all the way.

[@savyforest6060]

his trademark is like this long view on a scene and shows the enviroment that surround it

[@savyforest6060]

also this widescreen frame

[@sclogse1]

Well, this is pretty darn overwhelming. I'll be back to see this a whole bunch of times. From those dazzling color Hitchcocks I realize I need to buy more Blu-Ray from that period. I know, I bought Dr. No in HD a long time ago, and I was blown away. Film stock. Gorgeous. I bow to the genius of the people who created the 1960's film stocks. Absolute perfection.

[@vijayVRnambiar]

Thank you for mentioning Santhosh sivan!!😊❤️

[@JassCodes]

Where ?

[@sameerahmed-gx8js]

@@JassCodes 9:00

[@JassCodes]

@@sameerahmed-gx8js 👍 Thanks Bro..!!

[@woolsyzygy]

So a director decides what to shoot, but the cinematographer picks how to shoot it, right? They choose colors, focuses, width of shot...and what else? I know little about this topic and would love to hear y'all's knowledge.

[@Timbecillus]

Directing is very collaborative. For example, the director doesn't necessarily dictate how a part is to be played, but takes input from the actors because they have a unique perspective as the ones playing the part. Same thing for the cinematography: The director may have an idea of how they want to shoot a scene but the cinematographer is the expert. They know how to light a shot, how to use the camera, how many and which shots are necessary to create the desired effect.

[@woolsyzygy]

So are cinematographers the actual camera holders or is that relegated to assistants? And is there another term for cinematographer, cuz that is a beast of a word to type over & over here!

[@georgekurioreilly4857]

You can say DP for short. Or director of photography.

[@JazzyNym]

Film student here. gnilttbs described it pretty well; Directors have the vision, DPs bring that vision to life. Basically they're in charge (sometimes) of framing but most importantly: lighting. They're the ones who have to know how to light a scene properly, the correct filters and lenses to use on the cameras, what certain footage will look like if it's shot RED or on filmstock. They also occasionally color the film (color correction) at the end, but it's all tiered by the production. For example, big budget films may have DPs who don't touch the camera, merely dictate where it goes and the lighting for the scene, whereas a smaller production will see the DP be the one operating the camera. Same goes for color correction; sometimes they'll *be* the colorist, sometimes they'll have a colorist do it. The biggest thing with them though is their relationship to the director as A LOT of the work they do together actually happens in pre-production. I got to hear Quentin Tarantino talk about how he makes films, and while he is quite an extreme example because he has such a specific way of making films, he talked about how he just tells his DP what shots to get (he does his own framing) and expects (trusts) him to know how to light it. So yeah, filmmaking is collaborative, but the director will always have the last say; many a DP have been fired because they couldn't get what the director wanted.

[@ragilmalik]

director of a movie, is like a general manager in a company (not the CEO, because CEO would be the production house). you are in charge of connecting everything, but if you want to suggest or even do it your own, go ahead. general manager or director can do anything they want. while cinematographer is just like the head of a division. you can ask whoever below you to do some kind of specific lighting, audio, shot and lots of stuff, to get what the general manager (director) wants you to achieve. that's just generally how it works. in a small project, director could also be the cinematographer or cameraman, just like when you own your own company and you only have like two employee, ofc you have to do lots of thing by yourself too

[@jonathaneby1440]

You guys should do top 10 editors next

[@manolis.799]

Jonathan Eby Thelma Schoonmaker

[@Stehako]

Schoonmaker would have to top that list.

[@manolis.799]

Stephen H. Koontz Raging Bull alone should put her up there

[@Stehako]

Manoli S. and for her unmatched pacing in lengthy films like Goodfellas, Casino and Wolf of Wall Street. They never feel long and are filled with innovative editing techniques, and make Scorsese's direction and his actors look better.

[@whitepointstarproductions8905]

Sally Menke

[@NazarenaOlano]

I stop everything I'm doing at the moment when I see that CineFix uploads a Top 10

[@hola979]

Nazreen Whal nice pfp there :)

[@NazarenaOlano]

hola979 Thanks m8! I'm super excited about the new series

[@hola979]

Nazreen Whal same But tbh im having doutbs

[@FabianoGallindo]

What Deakins achieved on Blade Runner 2049 is almost fantastic. I've seen the movie again and again without sound and those astounding images tell us a different story, a different movie much better than the complete (sound and image) Villeneuve´s one.

[@-cloudsaboveuscrying-6805]

One of the best videos I've seen on this channel, the list included literally everyone!! That was amazing, I would love to learn more about cinematography! It's so interesting!

[@bobbyboljaar7513]

Sometimes it's hard to say whether a cinematographer can take a lot of credit for a shot, as some directors are really involved with the cinematography. To my knowledge directors like Kubrick, Tarkovsky, Antonioni, etc, were always obsessed with the visual style and had a lot to do with it, so they can almost be named DP's themselves. For example, although Doyle has a very idiosyncratic style and is a great DP, Kar wai Wong has shown he can keep up the quality of his cinematography, even when he is not working with him. On the other hand, Peter Greenaway only really came to life when the wonderful Sacha Vierny started working with him. Anyways, most of your picks have proved themselves with multiple directors, styles and/or movies, so great picks guys! Would have changed some probably, but this is a legit list.

[@michaelz9892]

Emmanuel Lubezki is my favorite currently. Vilmos Zsigmond should be here.

[@michaelotis223]

Vilmos feels strangely underrated

[@angelotrinidad6888]

I know right, his work in Scarecrow which won Palme d'Or was so good & so was Close Encounters & The Deer Hunter.

[@mannymanix8421]

Yes yes yes…!

[@Calakaz]

The directors of the films shown, along with the cinematographers Rodrigo Prieto and Emmanuel Lubezki, mentioned at 9:11 are not South American, they're all Mexican, Mexico is North America.

[@matonmongo]

Very nice, thx! Roger Deakins is certainly an incredible cinematographer, as they all are... but in such a 'visual' world, it also helps that he kinda looks the part.

[@kaleahdior132]

i love how you included cinematographers from other countries. great list.

[@MegaCrocosaurus92]

Jan De Bont is one I've always loved. I loved how his camera movements and frames had a dynamic style that came off as both sleek and intense. Movies like "Flatliners", "Cujo" and "Die Hard" had some beautiful shots that separated the levels of intensity in the story. Sometimes his lens did sort of in-camera editing it seemed like.

[@Hollyballolly]

Roger Deakins deserves a dozen belated oscars!!!!!

[@otomackena7610]

I hope he wins this time

[@shutterfilms7276]

He will.

[@patr70]

He Won tonight. 🐶

[@shutterfilms7276]

HE WON YES!!!

[@adamtripolca6089]

I was expecting that Emmanuel Lubezki would somehow be in the top 5.

[@anonymous891]

Your list is so complete!!! I don't know if u see the comments but you seem to have a very depth knowledge of cinema and can't help but fall in love with what u bring to the table. Just leaving this one underrated gorgeous movie for u named 'qala' an Indian movie. The lighting, cinematography and set design is unreal for this movie and hope u get this comment somehow and bring some justice to this underrated masterpiece.

[@gsherlock]

Glad that Slawomir Idziak got a mention here, his early work is so beautifully stylish, so much of it done in camera and achieved through endless experimentation his storytelling is breathtaking.

[@ST88S]

Dude, Emmanuel Lubezki is the best !! Children of Men, The Tree of Life, The Revenant, BIRDMAN !!!! His technique with natural light and long sequences are just perfect :)

[@hckingking]

Cant forget Gravity

[@waflletoast11]

Hes really good but Not even close to deakins

[@jongon0848]

@@waflletoast11" not even close to Deakins" Are you kidding me? If there's anyone that's close to Deakins in terms of lighting, framing, and camera angles it's Lubezki

[@thestranger4827]

My Favorites: 1. Sven Nykvist 2. Robby Müller 3. Vittorio Storaro 4. Raoul Coutard 5. Emmanuel Lubezki 6. Gordon Willis 7. John Alcott 8. Sergey Urusevskiy 9. Roger Deakins 10. Janusz Kaminski

[@jeromeariganello9874]

Great list. I had the honor of working with Nykvist on a picture and he was more than a wonderful DP but also a very inquisitive and interesting human being.

[@Beforethecredits]

I love Cinematography. If I ever make a short I plan to be my own DP. Great video CineFix.

[@squillen]

even though there were only two frames of Sicario's dusk march, my pants are still ruined

[@kong7844]

I love this channel. Makes me appreciate film more. When I get done watching one of these videos, I want to go home and binge everything I just saw

[@richardkeri9026]

Emmanuel Lubezki just mentioning??? He is one of the greatest of all time and should have been in top 3🤔🙄

[@shalakagaikwad2477]

Exactly...Chivo deserves a place in top 3.

[@bitnev]

That shows how much coolness hiding in those, who was only mentioned.

[@jameswhite-aldworth2804]

Richárd Kéri he’s done some good work but I think adding him to the list is a bit soon. He’s not made that many films and as far as I can see hasn’t revolutionized much or influenced too many, yet.

[@nickparadies350]

They went by era. Emmanuel Lubezki is great but he’s a contemporary of Deakins, who is better.

[@PaoloNovaro]

@@nickparadies350 Exactly what Nick said. It's not that he's not an amazing cinematographer, he was put against Deakins, who's the most influential DP right now.

[@ForceMaximus84]

Some of my unmentioned favorites are Geoffrey Unsworth, Dean Cundey, Michael Ballhaus and Jan De Bont.

[@austinsop7434]

I'm a total Emmanuel Lubezki groupie. Even though he didn't make the list, I'm happy he got so much recognition. Great list, I love when you guys do things more chronological, showing the progression of things

[@kevinjohn8365]

finally after 14 nominations Roger Deakins has finally won an OSCAR

[@rajaoctober14]

1. Roger Deakins 2. Emmanuel lubezki 3. Kaminski 4. Christopher Doyle 5. Santosh Sivan My top 5. But some directors are so talented in visuals 1. Akira Kurusova 2. Terrance Malick 3. Wangar wei 4. Wes Anderson

[@TheEvilDatsuTube]

Agreed! I just think you guys could have reserved a space fo Chivo Lubeski...but it's your list :) ...

[@caffeineadvocate]

Breaking the list down into eras is probably the only way to do this-- as cinematography tends to build upon/pay homage to the original visionaries. Nicely done.

[@ajaypandey8843]

Prisoners. One of the most amazing Experience i've ever had

[@shutterfilms7276]

Blade Runner 2049 completely destroys Prisoners.

[@User-xw6kd]

@@shutterfilms7276 Both are great but I agree that BR2049 is on a whole another level.

[@KaizerMan]

Ah. Classmates for me. First gang-bangs are often amazing though, you’re right.

[@jedgould5531]

I have seen cinematographers’ tributes rushing through the work without specifics. I can understand not wanting to overlook anyone, but you took at least 10 seconds with each artist. I know you could have done more and I would love to see more - encapsulating even briefly what exactly it was about their work that was artistry. You took us beyond Deakins! Bravo!

[@sandorx4]

The scene shown from Bergman's Sawdust and tinsel was shot by Hilding Bladh, not Sven Nykvist. They are both credited in the film but Nykvist actually only shot the scenes in the circus tent.

[@AlexDdaSilva]

I'm always very skeptical of these lists because it's impossible to reduce artistry, skill, talent and ultimately taste to lists, but you did a great job here. Thanks!

[@Isayonelove]

Got a bit dizzy while watching this video. Beautiful.

[@collinsimon6156]

A few list ideas: Top 10 Best Scores Top 10 Best Uses of Music Top 10 Movies Ruined (in various ways, plot, hype, etc.) by Trailers Top 10 Best Trailers

[@AdarshKumar-nj7rp]

#1 Terminator franchise for movies ruined by trailers

[@stuffnuns]

Lest us not forget Joseph Walker, cinematographer on most of Frank Capra’s films. Walker invented the Zoom Lens, and where would cinema be w/o that? He also developed a moving camera device early in the talkies era, while most cameras were still stuck in a soundproof box - check out the fast moving dolly shot in Mr Deeds Goes To Town, during the first act, following Jean Arthur as she moves through the newsroom. Amazing for its time.

[@clifford7594]

Brilliant. Thank you. Your selections match those of all of the dedicated chief lighting technicians/gaffers, key grips and best boys with whom I worked and from whom I learned over the years.

[@bboytrigger123]

Can't wait for Blade Runner 2049

[@TheFifaBaouss]

Early positive reviews have only increased my hype even more. AHHHH CAN'T WAIT!!!

[@TheWizardYeof]

Max Messmer What??

[@AHHHHHHHHHHHHl]

Max Messmer He's referring to the upcoming sequel

[@AHHHHHHHHHHHHl]

Oh, right. Couldn't tell you were joking.

[@maggiekarabel123]

There's something I don't understand. I know Ridley Scott handed the reins to Villeneuve, but did he have any say in the storyline? Because in the director's cut it's made clear that Deckard is a replicant, right? So then why is he now 70 years old? Are we not supposed to follow the director's cut storyline? I guess we won't know until we see the actual movie.

[@TheAndrewDouglass]

More than slightly upset that Lubezki wasn't a pic.

[@thebattlefrontgrind1845]

Gordon Willis and Roger Deakins immediately come to my mind, they should definitely be on here.

[@TebbieBear]

If only Gordon Willis had a vagina! He could have made the list!

[@elderrizzo]

The sunset scene on Sicario is one of the most brilliant scenes i saw this decade, light merging perfectly with the tension building up and the perfect music. Brilliant, brilliant scene.

[@Shravan.D.Y]

Roger deakins have some magic in him every frame of his looks like a perfect painting

[@Sharpe1502]

Roger Deakins is a genius.

[@frankunodostres473]

i rate lubezki a bit higher than deakins, as birdman, children of men and the revenant are incredible pieces of art. but both are legends without a doubt. also andrew lesnie deserves a mention. the original LOTR trilogy was beautiful

[@MrKJ444]

birdman became more about how the movie looked than the movie itself in my opinion which is not a good thing

[@frankunodostres473]

i disagree. imo the story around michael keaton was very compelling and the acting was amazing from the entire cast. of course the cinematography may be the best element of the film but that doesn't take away from everything else which was pretty perfect too imo

[@MrKJ444]

agree to disagree

[@maggiekarabel123]

I agree with you. Children of Men is something that has stayed with me in a way I can't explain. It has the #1 spot in the most emotional moments list for a reason.

[@maggiekarabel123]

MrKJ444 That discounts Keaton and Norton's performances which were astonishing.

[@omar260271]

I would have added Emanuel Lubezki to the list. He's maybe younger than Roger Deakins, but he is also as influential

At last....A video with true meaning...For so long I've wondered...and now I know...a brilliant production.Thank you, thank you......

[@LawrenceDomkowski]

Your selection of Freddie Young is spot on perfect.

[@Papato1234]

wow... No actual Chivo on the list, but just a mention. just WOW. Cannot believe it

[@DarthEd77]

Roger Deakins is the best, no doubt! He damn well finally get the Oscar this year. It's criminal he hasn't won a bunch already. Glad to see Christopher Doyle got a mention at least. He's one of my favorites. It seemed like he was on the trajectory to place high on this list, but, for whatever reason, his movies haven't gotten wide distribution in the US in the past ten years.

[@hny_thinks]

His collaborations with Wong Kar-wai are so unique. I love him so much. Was looking for this comment

[@iaintrimble1137]

Glad you have Sven in there but not even mentioning Robby Müller creates doubt about the vetting of the subject for this video.

[@Thunderpuddle]

Deakins is a living legend, his embrace and support of digital is a game changer.

[@TheMissingLink1]

I'm not gonna lie, I was getting REAL nervous when halfway through this video we were already at the 1980's and Sven Nykvist's name hadn't been mentioned lmao! His work is absolutely transformative and haunting.

[@cesarlunakuri7213]

"Cinematographers from south America", only mentions Mexican cinematographers nice Geography Cinefix

[@dowkinners4106]

@Hey Momma *Central America

[@rcautela7405]

@Hey Momma the greatest country in the world is in CA

[@dowkinners4106]

@Hey Momma haha okay bud chill. I hold my hands up. This is one of those times where a piece of basic knowledge I should know has slipped through the cracks and has only just been correct for me.

[@richardstoyanov9310]

@Miguel Isidro you are stupid

[@ksnarq]

@Miguel Isidro Yes!

[@treywoodall5707]

Roger Deakins completely deserves number 1. But Emanuel Lubeski should have gotten a spot.

[@agm2726]

Rodrigo prieto and Lubezki are from mexico, Mexico is part of North america, Mexico is not part of South America.

[@PTH777]

Plus Lubezki deserved to get a number rather than just two honorable mentions. Dude is a god.

[@L3GIQN]

Lubezki should be number one

[@jonathaneby1440]

Walkin' Phoenix Latin America then

[@agm2726]

Jonathan Eby yeah

That made me irrationally angry :(

[@katep.1465]

It would be cool to see some great movie shot by different cinematographers.

[@ttanizawa901]

Roger Deakins is a master and unmistakeably the greatest.

[@CoinOpTV]

Missing John Toll and László Kovács

[@JoeKaye959]

I don't care

[@jp3813]

@@JoeKaye959 No one cares.

[@The.Pickle]

Eh Hummmm, I believe you are forgetting the legendary Tommy Wiseau.

[@openshores4288]

Finally someone said it! the blocking, the focus, the camera settings...all perfect!

[@widM_]

hate to break it to you but Tommy Wiseau was never a cinematographer.

[@CeruleanFilms]

Shocked that Geoffrey Unsworth wasn't even mentioned, especially considering how much Kaminski's look owes to him. Also, Kaminski did not shoot Armageddon, John Schwartzman did.

[@billylardner]

And now the technical masterpiece that is 1917 from Deakins, that no. 1 spot is even more deserved. The film looks gorgeous and the way it is shot is completely engaging.

[@edwardneale-scullion4584]

Literally took notes on this, I have so many films to watch now, either again with a different eye, or for the first time. Can Not Wait.

[@simonajezkova]

For the whole 15 minutes, I was hoping to see the name of Gordon Willis somewhere here. A visual psychiatrist, the mind of a genius.

[@treyhoefling7239]

I'm a simple man. I see O Brother Where Art Thou and I click.

[@dominic8360]

I was surprised Emmanuel Lubezki wasn't on this list

[@paddleandhook]

Cant. Stop. Watching. CineFix!

[@bhardnavares5903]

I agree with the #1 spot. Deakins' work is hypnotic and grandeur and a work of art! His wide shots are so immaculate!