1901–1988 · Japan · Cinematographer
Asakazu Nakai
Kurosawa's camera for rain, mud and vast colour battlefields.
Seven Samurai, 1954Source: Wikipedia
CINEMATOGRAPHER · 1924–2016 · FRANCE
Raoul Coutard
Handheld, available-light photography of the French New Wave.
- Born
- 1924
- Died
- 2016
- Country
- France
- Field
- Cinematographer
KNOWN FOR
- 1960Breathless
- 1962Jules and Jim
- 1965Pierrot le Fou
- 1969Z
WHY THEY MATTER
Defining cinematographer of the French New Wave; his directing debut Hoa-Binh won the Prix Jean Vigo and an award at Cannes in 1970.
THE LIFE
Coutard originally planned to study chemistry but switched to photography because of the cost of tuition. He is best known for his work with Jean-Luc Godard, from Breathless and Vivre sa vie to Pierrot le Fou and Weekend. He also shot Francois Truffaut's Shoot the Piano Player and Jules and Jim, and Costa-Gavras's Z. In 1970 he directed Hoa-Binh, which won the Prix Jean Vigo.
Also born in 1900–1929
1901–1996 · United States · Cinematographer
John Alton
Hard shadows and pools of light that defined film noir.
T-Men, 1947Source: Wikipedia
1901–1974 · United States · Cinematographer
Leon Shamroy
Bold Technicolor of the Fox studio era.
Leave Her to Heaven, 1945Source: Wikipedia
1902–1998 · United Kingdom · Cinematographer
Freddie Young
Sweeping, lush widescreen colour.
Lawrence of Arabia, 1962Source: Wikipedia
1902–2000 · Italy · Cinematographer
Otello Martelli
Neorealist grit that opened up into Fellini's nocturnal spectacle.
La Dolce Vita, 1960Source: Wikipedia
1904–1948 · United States · Cinematographer
Gregg Toland
Deep focus, with near and far planes sharp at once.
Citizen Kane, 1941Source: Wikipedia