The cinematographer I chose was Matthew Libatique. He was the DP for a great movie: Requiem for a Dream (Here's the trailer). I saw this movie earlier this semester, and it was beautiful and terrifying. It was the filming that made all the addictions and hallucinations and the saddness seem so real. When you finish this movie you want to watch it again but you are so emotionally exhausted that you have to give yourself a break.
He's also DPed Iron Man (I&II), the fountain, the number 23, Gothika, pi, Phone Booth, Josie and the Pussycats, and a bunch more.
Here are links to two interviews:
The Fountain
Star Bulletin
He says that the director's word is final and that their working style dictates his. He can either light the frame and shoot it, or light the world and frame the light. He says in terms of directors he has to "shepherd them in terms of coverage and what makes sense, but they're directing because they have a reason to direct". He likes to shoot in urban settings, because it is what he knows best. He dislikes having to fake practical light - light in a night scene outside. he also had a hard time with Josie and the Pussycats because for the first time he had to light for no emotion, besides the fast he doesn't really get comedy. He believes luck comes only with lots of preparations - if he knows what he is trying to accomplish he is more readily able to accept what just happens. If you try something and it just doesn't work, you know if for your next movie and don't carry it over. But, you also have to remember some mistakes because they could be used in other movies.
He lights with emotion - surreal, dark, dramas/thrillers,
He believes music videos is "driven by the tempo of the music and certain instruments"
His advice: if you want to become a cinematographer, you have to shoot anything, work for free, and put yourself in the position to make decisions with the camera.
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