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Writer's pictureFrancisco Acuna

The best movies about photographers or photography

I love the cinema. I mostly watch sci-fi movies, but being a photography lover, I always keep an eye out for movies on the topic of photography or photographers. One of my favorites, without a doubt, is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.


the secret life of walter mitty
The photography of this movie is simply beautiful

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a 2013 movie directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars as the title character, Walter Mitty. The film is based on a short story of the same name by James Thurber.


Walter Mitty is a negative asset manager for Life magazine, and he spends his days daydreaming about exciting adventures and a life beyond his mundane routine. When Life magazine is preparing to release its final print issue and Walter is tasked with finding the perfect cover photo, he sets out on a real-life adventure that takes him from New York to Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas.


Throughout his journey, Walter faces various challenges and learns important life lessons about taking risks, facing fears, and embracing new experiences. Along the way, he meets a woman named Cheryl (played by Kristen Wiig), who becomes a love interest and motivator for him.


"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a heartwarming story that encourages viewers to pursue their dreams and embrace the unknown. The film features stunning cinematography and a memorable soundtrack, and it has been praised for its positive message and inspiring themes.


Another movie that I liked and just saw is Minamata. The film is based on the life of W. Eugene Smith, a renowned American photographer, and it depicts his journey to Minamata, Japan, to document the devastating effects of mercury poisoning on the local community. The movie was released in 2020 and stars Johnny Depp as W. Eugene Smith.


Here is a small list of movies that you should see if you are a photography lover
  • Blow-Up (1966) - David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles - A classic film by Michelangelo Antonioni about a fashion photographer who thinks he has captured a murder on film.

  • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) - Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn - A beautiful and inspiring movie about a daydreamer who sets out to find a missing negative from a famous photographer.

  • Finding Vivian Maier (2013) - Documentary film, no actors or actresses - A documentary about the life and work of a mysterious street photographer who took over 100,000 photos that were discovered only after her death.

  • Pecker (1998) - Edward Furlong, Christina Ricci, Bess Armstrong - A comedy-drama by John Waters about a young man from Baltimore who becomes a famous photographer after his work is discovered by a New York art dealer.

  • Rear Window (1954) - James Stewart, Grace Kelly - A Hitchcock thriller about a photographer who becomes a voyeur while confined to his apartment with a broken leg.

  • War Photographer (2001) - Documentary film featuring James Nachtwey, no actors or actresses - A documentary about photojournalist James Nachtwey, who has covered conflicts around the world and captured some of the most powerful and poignant images of war.

  • Everybody Street (2013) - Documentary film featuring street photographers, no actors or actresses - A documentary about the history and current state of street photography in New York City.

  • Bill Cunningham New York (2010) - Documentary film featuring Bill Cunningham, no actors or actresses - A documentary about the life and work of the legendary New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham.

  • Underfire: Tony Vaccaro (2016) - Documentary film featuring Tony Vaccaro, no actors or actresses - The Untold Story of Pfc. Tony Vaccaro (2016) - A documentary about a World War II infantryman who secretly carried a camera with him throughout the war and took over 8,000 photographs, many of which have become iconic.

  • The Salt of the Earth (2014) - A documentary about the life and work of the renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, who has spent decades documenting the human condition around the world.

It is subjective to determine the best movie about photographers or photography, as different people may have different opinions and preferences. However, one movie that is widely regarded as a classic and considered by many as one of the best movies about photography is "Blow-Up" (1966) directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.


The film follows the story of a fashion photographer who accidentally captures a murder on film and becomes obsessed with finding out the truth behind the crime. "Blow-Up" is known for its stunning visual style and portrayal of the Swinging London fashion and music scene of the 1960s. The film also touches on themes of reality and perception, and it challenges the viewer to question what is real and what is imagined.


"Blow-Up" has been praised for its innovative use of cinematography and editing techniques, as well as for its haunting soundtrack. The movie has had a significant influence on the fashion and art worlds, and it is often cited as a seminal work of the 1960s counterculture. For these reasons, "Blow-Up" is considered by many to be the best movie about photography.

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