James Wong Howe

Who was James Wong Howe?

James Wong Howe, A.S.C. was a Chinese American cinematographer who worked on over 130 films. He was a master at the use of shadow and was one of the first to use deep-focus cinematography, in which both foreground and distant planes remain in focus.

During the 1930s and 1940s he was one of the most sought after cinematographers in Hollywood. He was nominated for ten Academy Awards for cinematography, winning twice for The Rose Tattoo and Hud. Howe was judged to be one of history's ten most influential cinematographers in a survey of the members of the International Cinematographers Guild.