About
Chris exhibits fearless confidence across all genres. From period pieces to contemporary dramas, from science fiction to romance, whether intimate or epic, Chris creates powerful images that reveal the truth of the characters and their stories for the screen. His mastery of light, shadow, color and movement brings each director’s vision to life with style and daring.
Chris readily adapts to meet the unique creative and physical challenges each project presents. He has photographed films and commercials in over 20 countries on 5 continents, and is as comfortable on location as he is on stage. Chris inspires and leads his crew in support of each director so that together they can deliver their very best.
Chris received his MFA in Production from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television; and, teaches cinematography at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He has led cinematography workshops and seminars around the globe.
Chris is proud to be an active member of the American Society of Cinematographers.
Awards
Best Cinematography – Hidden Moon – CineGear Feature Films Series – 2014
Best Cinematography – American Primitive – CineGear Feature Film Series – 2010
Lee/Panavision International Award for Technical Achievement in Cinematography – The Hammer – 1989
Behind the Scenes
Production Stills
(Video interview excerpted from The Making of Sea of Dreams)
Press
The Work of the Cinematographer, February 2023
ASC Close Up Christopher Chomyn March 2017
NATural ND Filters from Tiffen
Chomyn Lights Hidden Moon
American Primitive, A Journey to the 70s’
Chomyn Makes Waves with Sea of Dreams
Phantasm Blog
Chomyn’s Varied Path Leads to Mexico
Cinematography Podcast: War Story and complete Interview
Michael Chapman, ASC Recalls a Perfect Shot
Close Up Part 1
Close Up Part 2
Canon Behind the Scenes
Footprints: The Life and Legacy of James Wong Howe, ASC
Below the Line Interview
American Primitive [aka Wild About Harry]-
“Chris is a wonderful DP to work with especially for those directors that cherish the beauty of film and its glory found in shadow and light.” said [Gwen] Wynne.
USC In Motion
“American Primitive is a beautifully crafted, character-driven film inspired by true events.”
LGBT Films
Sea of Dreams
“The most noticeable highlight of the film is the effulgent cinematography by Chris Chomyn and the way the camera endows every scene with picturesque beauty. Bright and dazzling colors are immediately apparent in every daytime shot, and the vibrancy of the people and exotic locale is gushingly aglow. The actors are likewise touched by bold hues, and everyone in the film is radiant beyond what is witnessed in most recent films. The fantasy elements are accentuated by this seemingly magical cinematography.”
MoviePulse
“With more blues than a thousand seaside sunsets comes the Mexican fable Sea of Dreams, one of the most beautiful-looking films to grace the screen all year….Sea of Dreams is a different movie experience and one of the best September releases. For those willing to take a cinematic chance, take a dip into this little gem.”
PopSyndicate
“Sea of Dreams… evokes an era of story telling, devoid of sensationalism and irony… a rare treasure”
Variety
“Never has the screen been filled with so much beauty!”
Sweet Connection
Lockdown
“The movie has two primary if crude virtues: First and best, it has an overwhelming sense of place…”
Washington Post
“‘Lockdown… is engrossing.”
AccessAtlana
Phantasm III & IV
“Particularly effective are the visuals….The film looks great.”
CultureDose
“Shot…with a thrilling flair that rivals any studio film.”
Fangoria
Christopher Chomyn, ASC 