The subjects include: Thomas Ackerman (George of the Jungle, Jumanji); John Bartley (The X-Files); Donald Burgess (Back to the Future II & III, Forrest Gump); Dean Cundey (Apollo 13, Jurassic Park, Romancing the Stone); Roger Deakins (Dead Man Walking, Fargo); Stephen Goldblatt (Batman and Robin, The Pelican Brief, Prince of Tides); Donald M. Morgan (Miss Evers' Boys); Dennis Muren (The Abyss, Battlestar Galactica); and David Nowell (Apocalypse Now, Apollo 13).

Technically and philosophically oriented, Contemporary Cinematographers on Their Art explores the tools, trends, personalities, and professional achievements of contemporary cinematographers, highlighting the behind-the-scenes struggles of the business of making motion pictures. Each chapter delves into the personal challenges, political proprieties inter-departmental interactions, and artistic achievements of the artists who bring scripts to life though their choice of cameras, lights, lenses, filters, gels, and other supporting equipment.

Covering a variety of film and television genres -- from soaps and half-hour sitcorns to cable and network productions, and low- and big-budget features -- each interview explores the tools cinematographers use to capture their shots as well as the integration of mechanical and computer graphic effects.