Every cinematographer I worked with had his own way of solving problems.
My peers say I have made a difference. That means more to me than winning an Oscar.
But at heart, I am more than a cinematographer.
With today's fast films, you can light the way your eye sees the scene. You can abuse the film and create subtleties in contrast with light and exposure, diffusion and filters. That's what makes it an art.
In aptitude tests, I scored highest in music.
There are a lot of directors who are knowledgeable about images, and others who aren't.