Janusz Kaminski, the Polish Cameraman Who Taught Hollywood How to See

Janusz Kamiński, the Polish-born cinematographer behind films including *Schindler’s List* and *Saving Private Ryan*, has received The Hollywood Reporter’s 2026 Visionary Award for excellence in cinematography. His work has helped shape how Hollywood uses images, and his career began with a move from a grey, coal-smoked childhood in Poland to the promise of American cinema.

Kamiński left Poland as a political refugee in 1981, learned English in Chicago and discovered cinematography by chance at college. He supported himself with camera and crew jobs, found early film work through production listings, then moved to California after being accepted to the American Film Institute in 1986–87. He went on to collaborate with Steven Spielberg on major films and was recognised at the Camerimage festival.