Joseph H. August(1890-1947)
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Art Director
Renowned cinematographer Joseph August began his film career not as a
cameraman but as a wrangler--he was born and raised in Colorado--at
Inceville, the studio begun by pioneering producer/director
Thomas H. Ince. He soon switched careers,
becoming an assistant to cinematographer
Ray C. Smallwood. He shot his first
film,
Lure of the Violin (1913), in
1912. His reputation became such that only three years later he was
picked as "official" cameraman for western star
William S. Hart, shooting more than 40
of Hart's westerns. When Hart retired August went to Fox, where he
worked with director John Ford, who
appreciated August's expertise at outdoor photography. August was also
known for his affinity for and facility with low-key lighting, a
technique he initially developed out of necessity, since the types of
lighting units that could light up a set were expensive, extremely hot
and not particularly efficient when August first started out as a
cameraman.
He and Ford developed both a professional and personal relationship, and during World War II August joined Ford in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the modern-day CIA. Both Ford and August were wounded while shooting combat for the documentary La bataille de Midway (1942).
In addition to his other accomplishments, August was also a founding member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
He and Ford developed both a professional and personal relationship, and during World War II August joined Ford in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the modern-day CIA. Both Ford and August were wounded while shooting combat for the documentary La bataille de Midway (1942).
In addition to his other accomplishments, August was also a founding member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
