Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen lead tributes to late cinematographer Gordon Willis
Directors Francis Ford Coppola and Woody Allen have lead the tributes to Gordon Willis, the cinematographer behind 'The Godfather' and 'Annie Hall', who passed away at the age of 82 recently.
According the Deadline.com, 'The Godfather' films helmer Coppola, said that Willis "ice-skated on the film emulsion" and was a rare cinematic mastermind with a "precise aesthetic".
Allen, with whom the late cinematographer worked on films such as 'Manhattan', 'Annie Hall' and 'Stardust Memories' among others, said that Willis was one of the few people who actually lived up to all the hype about him.
The 82-year-old, who was known as 'The Prince of Darkness' for his use of shadow in cinema, had earned the first of his two Oscar nominations for Allen's 1983 film 'Zelig'.
Meanwhile, Stephen Pizzello, Editor of American Cinematographer Magazine, who worked with Willis on a book based on the cinematographer's career, added that Willis' features would be carved into the rock face if there were a Mount Rushmore for cinematographers.
His legacy as one of Hollywood's greatest cameramen is secure and his work remains a key influence on many top cinematographers, he added.