The Great Gordon Willis: One Last Shadow

Legendary cinematographer Gordon Willis - who helped define the look of 1970s cinema - has passed away at the age of 82. Known as The Price of Darkness for his fondness of employing shadows, Willis shot The Godfather, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Klute, The Paper Chase, The Parallax View and All the President's Men, among his many other credits. 

Willis had a rich collaboration with Woody Allen. In addition to the two films mentioned above, he also lensed Interiors, Stardust Memories, The Purple Rose of Cairio, Broadway Danny Rose and Zelig. From Roger Ebert's review of Manhattan, stunningly captured in black and white: "All of these locations and all of these songs would not have the effect they do without the widescreen black and white cinematography of Gordon Willis. This is one of the best-photographed movies ever made… Some of the scenes are famous just because of Willis’ lighting. For example, the way Isaac and Mary walk through the observatory as if they’re strolling among the stars or on the surface of the moon. Later, as their conversation gets a little lost, Willis daringly lets them disappear into darkness, and then finds them again with just a sliver of side-lighting.” 

Born in New York, Willis was one of the true artists of cinema - a painter of film - who helped directors find moments that elevated their vision beyond technique into something iconic. His images will be part of cinema's landscape of the mind forever.