James Cameron Pays Tribute To “Master” Cinematographer Adam Greenberg: “I Could Not Have Done ‘Terminator’ Without Him”
Oscar-nominated cinematographer Adam Greenberg has passed away at the age of 88. Following his death, acclaimed director James Cameron paid tribute to his longtime collaborator on the first two Terminator films.
In a statement shared with Deadline, the three-time Oscar-winning director described Greenberg as “a guiding light” since they first worked together on Cameron’s breakout film, *The Terminator* (1984). Greenberg “graciously” returned to serve as director of photography for the 1991 sequel, *Terminator 2: Judgment Day*.
“I learned so much from Adam, not just about cinematography, but about the spirit of independent production,” Cameron said. “He refused to let budget limitations inhibit his artistic expression. Adam had done scores of films when I worked with him on my first, and his scrappy, can-do spirit has been a guiding light for me ever since, even on the biggest of productions.”
Cameron recalled a recent encounter with Greenberg, saying, “I saw him last a few years ago, when he graciously came in to help color time *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* for its stereo 3D re-release. I had just been in the middle of arguing with the colorist that the blues in a night scene were too purple, and needed a little cyan. Adam took one look at the scene, took me aside and said ‘Jim, don’t you think it needs a point of cyan?’ He remembered a point of color over two decades later. That’s precision. I now see color with his eyes.”
“He taught me the narrative power of color and lighting. Nobody did night photography like Adam. I pride myself on my hand-held camera operating, but I learned that at Adam’s knee. He was the master. I know there is a whole generation of filmmakers that he influenced, and there were a handful of us that were privileged to have him shoot for us. We got to learn the lessons directly at his side. His talent and spirit will be missed.”
Before his work in Hollywood, Greenberg established a successful cinematography career in Israel. After transitioning to the US film industry, he served as director of photography on the first two *Terminator* films. His work on *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.
Adam Greenberg’s legacy endures through his influential contributions to cinema and the filmmakers he inspired throughout his distinguished career.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/james-cameron-pays-tribute-dp-adam-greenberg-terminator-1236605011/
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