American Cinematographer, published by the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), is the premier international trade journal and archival resource dedicated to the art, craft, and technology of motion picture photography and visual storytelling. Continuous publication began as a newsletter in 1920 and transitioned to a monthly magazine in 1922.
American Cinematographer covers:
American Cinematographer covers:
- Technical breakdowns of feature films, episodic television, documentaries, and commercials.
- Production design, camera package configurations, lighting setups, color grading, virtual production, and workflows.
- In-depth interviews with Directors of Photography (DPs), visual effects supervisors, and directing collaborators.
- Technical developments in cinematography, lens optics, sensors, LED rigs, and analog film stocks.
The resources offer ongoing coverage of the cinematography industry through monthly publications, gear profiles, and behind-the-scenes field reports from active soundstages. They also preserve over a century of motion picture history via deep-dive retrospectives and an extensive archive tracking the technological leap from hand-cranked cameras to modern digital sensors. In addition, professional peer-to-peer dialogues and annual spotlights highlight both master techniques on major releases and emerging visual innovators.