Janusz Kamiński


Janusz Zygmunt Kamiński is a Polish cinematographer and director of film and television, who started his career in the United States. He rose to fame in the 1990s with his work on Schindler's List. He has established a partnership with Steven Spielberg, working as a cinematographer on his movies since 1993. He won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. In recent years, Kamiński has also moved into the field of directing, first with the horror film Lost Souls, and later television series like The Event and The Divide.
In 2019, the American Society of Cinematographers included Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan, both shot by Kamiński, on the list of the best-photographed films of the 20th century.

Life and career

Kamiński was born in Ziębice, Poland, the son of mother, Jadwiga Celner, and father, Marian Kaminski. In 1981, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 21 after Prime Minister Jaruzelski imposed martial law.
He attended Columbia College in Chicago from 1982 to 1987, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, taking up filmmaking as a profession before attending to the AFI Conservatory, where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree. He worked under cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, first as a gaffer, and eventually as second unit director of photography. He shot numerous B-movies for directors Roger Corman and Katt Shea, as well as the romantic musical comedy Cool as Ice, starring Vanilla Ice.
Kamiński was first discovered by Steven Spielberg in 1991. After seeing the television film Wildflower, Spielberg hired Kamiński to shoot Class of '61, a television film in which Spielberg served as producer.
He twice won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in the 1990s, for Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. He has been nominated four additional times for Amistad, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, War Horse and Lincoln. In 2010, he was awarded the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal by the AFI Conservatory.
Kamiński became a member of the American Society of Cinematographers in 1994, but resigned in 2006.
Kamiński was married to actress Holly Hunter from 1995 until 2001. He married ABC reporter Rebecca Rankin in 2004. They divorced in 2010.

Filmography

Film

Additional photography credits

Directorial credits

Television

Directorial credits

Awards and nominations

AwardWinsNominations

;Academy Awards

;BAFTA Film Awards

;ASC Awards

;César Award

;Independent Spirit Awards

Industry awards

[Academy Awards]

[BAFTA Awards]

[American Society of Cinematographers]

British Society of Cinematographers Award for Best Cinematography
Camerimage
Cannes Film Festival
César Award for Best Cinematography
Hollywood Film Awards
Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Satellite Award for Best Cinematography
Stockholm International Film Festival
Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography
Broadcast Film Critics Association
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematography
Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Cinematography
IndieWire Critic's Poll
International Online Film Critics' Poll
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematographer
St. Louis Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematographer