Vilmos Zsigmond – Close Encounters of the Third Kind cinematographer – dies at 85

It’s a name you probably haven’t heard of before – nor one you’d even be able to pronounce – but the world of cinema recently lost one of its most gifted directors of photography, Vilmos Zsigmond. The cinematographer died at the age of 85 on January 1, 2016 with a huge number of credits to his name (a clean 100, according to his IMDb page), having made some of the most enduring images we’ve seen in the movies.

The Hungary-born Zsigmond was the cinematographer on classic movies such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Blow Out, The Deer Hunter, The Long Goodbye, and Deliverance among many others, including his most recently completed work on TV series The Mindy Project. The President of the Cinematographers Guild, Steven Poster, had this to say of the man:

‘Vilmos’ genius was not only in his images, but in his sense of duty to honest storytelling… Working up close with him, I also learned about perseverance and an obligation to the story from the master. His brave beginnings providing footage from the Hungarian revolution will always be an important part of his legacy and to future generations of cinematographers and film students. He made a difference.’

Thank Vilmo Zsigmond for some of your favourite shots.