With cinema being a visual storytelling medium, outstanding achievements in the cinematography field is one category that I adore following. There has been some wonderful work this year and the American Society of Cinematographers have picked the five films they are considering for their 26th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards. Check them out below via indieWIRE.

Guillaume Schiffman, AFC (The Artist)
Jeff Cronenweth, ASC (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
Robert Richardson, ASC (Hugo)
Hoyte van Hoytema, FSF, NSC (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC (The Tree of Life)

Janusz Kaminski‘s War Horse work is glaringly missing, but despite some gorgeous scenes, there were major problems with his execution, leaving many scenes to have a fake, set-feeling (and I’m not specifically talking about that final shot).  As for the other nominations, if Lubezki doesn’t win for his ground-breaking work with Terrence Malick‘s epic it will be a travesty. I also love seeing Hoytema get some love for Tinker Tailor and Richardson for pushing forward the 3D envelope in a big way.

Wally Pfister, who won for Inception last year, is missing as well for his work on Moneyball. In statement ASC President Michael Goi said, “Every year, the nominees in this category have expanded the boundaries of cinematography with their consummate artistry and their mastery of the technological tools required to achieve their vision. In an intensely competitive field, these are the best of the best.”

Do you agree that Lubezki is far and away the deserved winner?

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