Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński has worked with Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire), Judd Apatow (Funny People), and James L. Brooks (How Do You Know), but his name will forever be associated with Steven Spielberg’s movies.
Kamiński has been Spielberg’s right-hand man for close to 30 years, and they’re now teaming up again for their 21st collaboration together. According to Production Weekly, Kamiński has signed on as DP for Spielberg’s “The Dish,” which stars Josh O’Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell and Eve Hewson.
Spielberg is supposed start production on “The Dish” in February. The film is based off an original story concocted by Spielberg, written by David Koepp, and is said to involve UFOs; it’s been described as a “two-hander,” with Blunt playing the central character. Other than that, plot details have been kept under wraps.
Kamiński’s photography tends to use uber close-ups, handheld steadicam setups, and bleach bypass grainy film with reduced saturation and increased contrast. It’s a “de-glamorization” of imagery. His style has its fair share of detractors but I find the way he uses light, not necessarily to achieve realism, but to create a painterly atmosphere, sublime. His style was described as “film noir with soft light.”