Art is Hard
ArtistsGear
Categories
PaintingPhotographyFilmSculpturePrintmakingMixed MediaIllustrationCeramicsStreet Art
Log inSign up

Art is Hard

Good gear helps.

Browse

ArtistsGearCategories

Account

Log inSign upWishlist
AboutNo Ads PledgePrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceFeedbackContact

This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more in our Terms of Service.

© 2026 Art Is Hard Co.

Artists
Bradford Young

HimmelrichPR

Bradford Young

Filmmaker
American·b. 1977
Known for:
Oscar-nominated cinematographer and lens designer with a naturalistic, available-light approach
Education:
Howard University

Bradford Young is an American cinematographer who in 2017 became the first African-American nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, for his work on Denis Villeneuve's Arrival. He studied film at Howard University under Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima, with early influences from painters Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence. His credits include Selma, A Most Violent Year, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and the Netflix series When They See Us. He co-founded TRIBE7, which produces the BLACKWING7 line of tunable cinema prime lenses.

Bradford Young's Gear List(6)

ARRI/Zeiss Master Anamorphic Lenses

ARRI/Zeiss

Connection Source
ShotonwhatWebsite
↗

Connection note

Entire A Most Violent Year shot with just three focal lengths (35/50/75mm)

Product description

High-end anamorphic cinema primes with controlled flare and bokeh characteristics.

Find on Adorama ↗

Know something Bradford Young uses that's not listed?

Log in to submit

Related artists

Hoyte van Hoytema

Hoyte van Hoytema

Filmmaker
SM

Sayombhu Mukdeeprom

Filmmaker

Last updated March 18, 2026

Hawk V-Plus Anamorphic Lenses

Hawk/Vantage

Connection Source
ShotonwhatWebsite
↗

Connection note

Anamorphic lenses on Selma (2014); described as "very aggressive"

Product description

Front-anamorphic cinema lenses with organic flares and distinctive bokeh.

Find on Adorama ↗
Cooke S4 Lenses

Cooke

Connection Source
ShotonwhatWebsite
↗

Connection note

Primary lenses on Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013), shot on 35mm film

Product description

Cinema prime lenses with the warm, slightly soft "Cooke Look" that flatters skin tones and organic textures.

Find on Adorama ↗
ARRI ALEXA XT Plus

ARRI

Connection Source
ShotonwhatWebsite
↗

Connection note

Primary camera on Arrival (2016), Selma (2014), and A Most Violent Year (2014)

Product description

Enhanced ALEXA XT with in-camera ARRIRAW recording, additional accessory ports, and a built-in radio receiver. Used on Arrival, Selma, and Sicario.

Find on Adorama ↗
ARRI ALEXA 65

ARRI

Connection Source
ShotonwhatWebsite
↗

Connection note

Primary camera on Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Product description

Large-format 65mm digital cinema camera with a 54.12 x 25.59mm sensor, available exclusively through ARRI Rental. Used on Rogue One, Dune: Part Two, Solo, and Project Hail Mary.

Find on Adorama ↗
Zeiss Super Speed Lenses

Zeiss

Connection Source
ShotonwhatWebsite
↗

Connection note

Used on Arrival; 90% shot with Super Speed 35mm

Product description

Fast cinema prime lenses (T1.3) originally designed for low-light 35mm film production, with a warm, organic rendering.

Find on Adorama ↗
RY

Robert Yeoman

Filmmaker
Lance Acord

Lance Acord

Filmmaker
AW

Ari Wegner

Filmmaker
Vittorio Storaro

Vittorio Storaro

Filmmaker