Ranking 10 Best Cinematographers Working Today

10. Reed Morano

One of the few directors of photography on this list to dip their toes in both the realms of film and television, Reed Morano's varied body of work has created vivid imagery in some of the most acclaimed films and series over the last fifteen years.

She has also directed various films and episodes, showing an incredible command over her craft. Her most prominent pieces of work include Kill Your Darlings, Meadowland (her directorial debut), and The Handmaid's Tale.

Her shot composition has an intensely personal feel, ensuring that audiences deeply connect with the characters on screen. Due to this, she uses wide lenses while shooting actors. She also opts for a relatively limited colour palette and realistic lighting, stylistic sensibilities influenced by her time working on documentaries. Her overhead lighting methods give actors more freedom to move around on set, adding to the grounded feel of her work.

She has received recognition from institutions such as Indiewire, the American Society of Cinematographers and even won a Primetime Emmy for her directorial efforts on The Handmaid's Tale.