

Frederick Elmes
Cinematographer · Actor · DirectorFrederick Elmes, ASC (born November 4, 1946) is an American cinematographer, known for his association with the independent film movement. He is a long-time collaborator of directors David Lynch, Ang Lee, Charlie Kaufman, Jim Jarmusch, and Todd Solondz. He has won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography twice, for Wild at Heart (1990) and Night on Earth (1991), and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series for The Night Of (2016). Born in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, Elmes studied photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology and then attended the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, graduating in 1972. He enrolled in the Graduate Film Program at New York University's Department of Film and Television and graduated in 1975. At the American Film Institute, Elmes met aspiring film director David Lynch, who hired him for Eraserhead (1977). Since then the two have collaborated on Blue Velvet (1986) and Wild at Heart (1990). Elmes is also a frequent collaborator with directors Ang Lee and Jim Jarmusch. Elmes has been a member of the American Society of Cinematographers since 1993.
More details at TMDB
KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
ACTOR6
DIRECTOR1
CINEMATOGRAPHER58

I Know Catherine, the Log Lady
2026
Director of Photography

Father Mother Sister Brother
2025
Director of Photography

The Jesus Rolls
2019
Director of Photography

The Dead Don't Die
2019
Director of Photography

Wilson
2017
Director of Photography

Hair
2017
Director of Photography

Paterson
2016
Director of Photography

Horns
2013
Director of Photography

A Late Quartet
2012
Director of Photography

Brothers
2009
Director of Photography

Bride Wars
2009
Director of Photography

A Dog Year
2009
Director of Photography

Synecdoche, New York
2008
Director of Photography

The Namesake
2006
Director of Photography

Broken Flowers
2005
Director of Photography

Coffee and Cigarettes
2004
Director of Photography

Kinsey
2004
Director of Photography

Hulk
2003
Director of Photography

Trapped
2002
Director of Photography

Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet
2002
Director of Photography

Chosen
2001
Director of Photography

Storytelling
2001
Director of Photography

Chain of Fools
2001
Director of Photography

Ride with the Devil
1999
Director of Photography

The Wedding
1998
Director of Photography

The Ice Storm
1997
Director of Photography

Coffee and Cigarettes III
1997
Director of Photography

In the Gloaming
1997
Director of Photography

Reckless
1995
Director of Photography

Trial by Jury
1994
Director of Photography

The Saint of Fort Washington
1993
Director of Photography

Night on Earth
1991
Director of Photography

Wild at Heart
1990
Director of Photography

Cold Dog Soup
1990
Director of Photography

Hollywood Mavericks
1990
Director of Photography

Permanent Record
1988
Director of Photography

The Cowboy and the Frenchman
1988
Director of Photography

Moonwalker
1988
Director of Photography

Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8
1987
Director of Photography

Aria
1987
Director of Photography

Heaven
1987
Director of Photography

Blue Velvet
1986
Director of Photography

Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold
1986
Camera Technician, Director of Photography

River's Edge
1986
Director of Photography

Real Genius
1985
Second Unit Director of Photography

Red Dawn
1984
Second Unit Director of Photography

Dune
1984
Second Unit Director of Photography
- Citizen: The Political Life of Allard K. Lowenstein
Citizen: The Political Life of Allard K. Lowenstein
1983
Director of Photography

Valley Girl
1983
Director of Photography

Modern Romance
1981
Camera Operator

Eraserhead
1977
Director of Photography

Young Lady Chatterley
1977
Camera Operator

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
1976
Camera Operator

In the Region of Ice
1976
Additional Photography

A Woman Under the Influence
1974
Assistant Camera

The Amputee
1974
Director of Photography

Invasion of the Blood Farmers
1972
Assistant Camera

Street Scenes 1970
1970
Director of Photography, Camera Operator











