11 Cinematographers Who Became Great Directors

10) Honorable Mentions: Steven Soderbergh and Robert Rodriguez

They’re not cinematographers turned directors, but they are two examples of filmmakers who consistently wear both hats in their movies. Ronald Neame’s got nothing on these guys. Steven Soderbergh has famously served as “Peter Andrews” the cinematographer on all his films since Traffic, and as editor “Mary Ann Bernard” on the majority of his movies since Sex, Lies and Videotape. Robert Rodriguez, meanwhile, is referred to as a “one-man film crew,” frequently serving as director, writer, producer, editor, cinematographer, composer, visual effects supervisor and production designer on various projects. So even though they didn’t technically make a transition from one area to another, they’ve always sort of been both, and deserve mentioning.

What these examples of cinematographers turned directors may cause us to question is why, exactly, this isn’t a move that occurs more often? The answer could rest in the fact that cases like Robert Rodriguez are rare, and often the result of budgetary restrictions that cause the one passionate individual to take on as many jobs as he or she is able. Fields also seem to be more technical and specialized today than they were in the mid-20^th century as well. And yet it’s clear that cinematographers have much to express in their contributions to any given film. I guess it’s just that they’re often most satisfied expressing it solely with their camera.