Jeffrey Scott Cronenweth, (born January 14, 1962) is an American cinematographer known for his work in music videos and his collaborations with filmmaker David Fincher. He has received nominations for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Born in Los Angeles, California, and son of the influential cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth, he studied at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He worked in music videos before transitioning to film with his debut being the David Fincher film Fight Club (1999). He went on to collaborate with him on three more films The Social Network (2010), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), and Gone Girl (2014), the former two earning him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. He has also worked with filmmakers Kathryn Bigelow, Joseph Kosinski and Aaron Sorkin.
On television, he filmed an episode of the science fiction series Tales from the Loop for which he was Primetime Emmy Award nominated. He has filmed numerous music videos for artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, David Bowie, Alanis Morissette, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. He won an MTV Video Music Award for Macy Gray: Do Something (2000).
Early life and education Born in Los Angeles, California, and son of the influential cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth, he graduated at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Jeff Cronenweth started working with his father as a camera loader/2nd assistant camera while in high-school.Jeff Cronenweth He then worked as 1st assistant camera and camera operator until the mid-1990s.
Career He was able to work as director of photography for the first time in David Fincher's Fight Club. After working again with Fincher in three more projects, Cronenweth earned two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
Style and recognition Cronenweth is known for his use of light (or the absence thereof) and composition to elegantly weave a visual language throughout a story as shown in his work on Fight Club, The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Gone Girl and including many of the iconic music videos and commercials he has photographed. On filming Fight Club, Cronenweth stated: "Whether we were inside or outside, we always wanted to embrace depth of field or the lack of as a key story telling element in guiding an audiences focus on what we wanted them to embrace."Anarchy in the USA – page 3
In addition, Jeff and his brother Tim (known as "The Cronenweths") have worked as a director/DP team, doing numerous commercials and music videos in and out of Los Angeles. In 2004, he was invited to join the cinematographers branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Jeff Cronenweth – Biography
Filmography Film Year Title Director Notes 1999 Fight Club David Fincher 1st collaboration with Fincher2002 One Hour Photo Mark Romanek K-19: The Widowmaker Kathryn Bigelow 2003 Down with Love Peyton Reed 2010 The Social NetworkDavid Fincher 2nd collaboration with Fincher 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 3rd collaboration with Fincher 2012 Hitchcock Sacha Gervasi 2014 Gone Girl David Fincher 4th collaboration with Fincher 2018 A Million Little Pieces Sam Taylor-Johnson 2021 Being the Ricardos Aaron Sorkin 1st collaboration with Sorkin 2025 Tron: Ares Joachim Rønning2026 Melania Brett Ratner Documentary; With Barry Peterson and Dante Spinotti The Social Reckoning Aaron Sorkin 2nd collaboration with Sorkin David Fincher Post-production; 5th collaboration with Fincher; with Erik Messerschmidt TBA David Weil Post-production
Short film Year Title Director 2025 Brighter Days Ahead Christian Breslauer and Ariana Grande
Television Year Title Director Note 2020 Tales from the Loop Mark Romanek Episode: "Loop"
Music video Year Title Artist(s) Director 1990 "Freedom! '90" George Michael David Fincher 1994 "Sly" Massive Attack Stéphane Sednaoui 1995 "Daddy's Home" Montell Jordan Daniel Zirilli1996 "Kreep" Chino XL Nancy Bennett "Novocaine for the Soul" EelsMark Romanek1997 "The Perfect Drug" Nine Inch Nails "Got 'Til It's Gone" Janet Jackson feat. Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell1999 "Do Something" Macy Gray "So Pure"Alanis Morissette "She's All I Ever Had" Ricky Martin Nigel Dick "That's the Way It Is"Celine DionLiz Friedlander2000 "I Want You to Need Me" "Independent Women" Destiny's Child Francis Lawrence 2001 "You Rock My World" Michael Jackson Paul Hunter 2002 "Outtathaway!" The VinesDavid LaChapelle2003 "The Voice Within" Christina Aguilera "It's My Life" No Doubt 2005 "La Tortura" Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz Michael Haussman2008 "Rock with U" Janet Jackson Saam Farahmand "Love in this Club" Usher Greg and Colin Strause 2009 "Boom Boom Pow" The Black Eyed Peas Mathew Cullen2013 "Just Give Me a Reason" Pink feat. Nate Ruess Diane Martel "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)"David BowieFloria Sigismondi "The Next Day" 2014 "Shake It Off" Taylor Swift Mark Romanek 2017 "Chained to the Rhythm" Katy Perry feat. Skip Marley Mathew Cullen2019 "Walk Me Home" Pink Michael Gracey "Memories" Maroon 5 David Dobkin2020 "Smile" Katy Perry Mathew Cullen "911"Lady Gaga Tarsem Singh 2022 "Hold My Hand" Joseph Kosinski
Awards and nominations Organizations Year Category Work Result Academy Awards 2010Best Cinematography The Social Network 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo American Society of Cinematographers 2010Outstanding Cinematography The Social Network 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2026 Outstanding Cinematography in Music Video "Supernatural" BAFTA Awards 2011 Best Cinematography The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Chicago Film Critics Association 2010 Best CinematographyThe Social Network MTV Video Music Awards 1997 Best Cinematography in a Video Eels: Novocaine for the Soul Nine Inch Nails: The Perfect Drug 2000 Macy Gray: Do Something 2004 Christina Aguilera: The Voice Within No Doubt: It's My Life 2021 Lady Gaga: 911 2025 Ariana Grande: Brighter Days Ahead Primetime Emmy Awards 2020 Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour) Tales from the Loop San Diego Film Critics Society 2014 Best CinematographyGone Girl Satellite Award 2014 Best Cinematography St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association 2011 Best Cinematography The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2014 Gone Girl Washington D.C. Film Critics Association 2010 Best Cinematography The Social Network
References
External links
Method Studios Commercials "Movie Maker" interview