American Society of Cinematographers Announce 2011 ASC Awards

The American Society of Cinematographers has announced the nominees for the 26th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards.

The nominees are:

Guillaume Schiffman, AFC (The Artist)
Jeff Cronenweth, ASC (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
Robert Richardson, ASC (Hugo)
Hoyte van Hoytema, FSF, NSC (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC (The Tree of Life)

Most notably sitting out of the race was Janusz Kaminski's work from "War Horse." That's another blow to Steven Spielberg's quickly fading Oscar chances.

As for the nominees... This is the second consecutive ASC Award nomination for Cronenweth who was recognized last year for The Social Network.
 
Richardson earns his 10th nomination. He was previously acknowledged for Inglourious Basterds (2010), The Good Shepherd (2007), The Aviator (2005), Snow Falling on Cedars (2000), The Horse Whisperer (1999), Heaven & Earth (1994), A Few Good Men (1993), JFK (1992), and Born on the Fourth of July (1990).
 
Lubezki won the ASC Award in 2007 for Children of Men, and was also nominated in 2000 for Sleepy Hollow.
 
Schiffman and van Hoytema are both first-time ASC nominees.
 
“Every year, the nominees in this category have expanded the boundaries of cinematography with their consummate artistry and their mastery of the technological tools required to achieve their vision,” says ASC President Michael Goi. “In an intensely competitive field, these are the best of the best.”
 
Last year, Wally Pfister, ASC, BSC won the ASC feature film award for "Inception," and went on to take home the Oscar® as well.