Larry Blanford
Biography
Larry Blanford is a highly experienced American cinematographer known for his extensive work on a wide range of blockbuster films and television series. His career, spanning decades, has seen him contribute to some of the most visually impactful productions in Hollywood, often as a second unit director of photography, responsible for capturing complex action sequences and specialized shots.
Born in Richmond, Indiana, Blanford joined the United States Air Force in 1977 after graduating from high school. It was in the Air Force that he began to learn about filmmaking, notably working as an in-flight cameraman for the mega-hit Top Gun (1986). This experience propelled him into a full-time career as a Hollywood cinematographer.
Blanford's filmography is extensive and includes significant contributions to major studio productions. He is particularly recognized for his work as part of the camera and electrical department, and as a second unit director of photography, on films that require highly technical and dynamic cinematography. Some of his most well-known contributions include:
Minority Report (2002): Blanford was part of the camera and electrical department on this Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi thriller, known for its groundbreaking visual effects and future-noir aesthetic.
Paycheck (2003): He also contributed to the camera and electrical department on this John Woo-directed sci-fi action film.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Blanford served as the aerial director of photography for the San Francisco sequences and the director of photography for the action unit, including the Golden Gate Bridge scenes, in this critically acclaimed reboot. His work was crucial in realizing the film's ambitious visual scope.
Beyond these, his credits as a second unit director of photography include numerous other high-profile action and sci-fi films such as Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), Iron Man 3 (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Terminator Genisys (2015), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), The Predator (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).
More recently, Blanford has been working as a primary cinematographer on films like My Spy (2020), Shaft (2019), Tag (2018), Hangman (2017), and the TV series Heels (2021-2023), demonstrating his versatility and ongoing demand in the industry.
Larry Blanford's career highlights his expertise in capturing complex and visually compelling sequences, making him a vital, though often unsung, contributor to many of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters.
