It all started when…
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Ian S. Takahashi is a Los Angeles and Asia-based Director of Photography working both above and below the waterline, with credits spanning feature films, prestige television, global advertising, and music videos. He is a member of the Society of Camera Operators (SOC) and the International Cinematographers Guild (IA600), and is represented by WPA.
Takahashi started in the camera department under two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer John Toll, ASC. In film school, he studied screenwriting under Francis Ford Coppola. His specialty in underwater cinematography took shape over a decade under underwater DP Mike Thomas, and later through his work with Pete Romano, ASC of Hydroflex.
He has collaborated with directors including James Gunn, Ron Howard, Marc Forster, and Nicolas Winding Refn, and cinematographers including Ben Kutchins, ASC, Russell Carpenter, ASC, and Jess Hall, BSC. His credits include the Baywatch reboot, Star Wars: Ahsoka, and The Suicide Squad (underwater cinematographer, dir. James Gunn); 2nd unit and underwater DP on Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy; underwater work on Beyonce’s Lemonade; and Double-Up DP on Insatiable.
Awards & Recognition
Clio Award for Cinematography — Kaiser Permanente feat. Stephen Curry (2017)
Clio Award — Best Music Video, Harry Styles “Falling”
MTV VMA — Best Pop Video, Selena Gomez “Come and Get It” (2013)
Cannes Dolphin — Best Series, Secret Ingredient (2025)
Best Cinematography nomination — K-Love
Sundance Film Festival — Grand Jury Prize, Nanny (2022)
Sundance Film Festival premiere — Sleeping Dogs Lie (2006)
Press & Features
Featured in American Cinematographer’s “Shot Craft” book (p. 238)
American Cinematographer Magazine, “Pro Perspective”
International Cinematographers Guild Magazine
Society of Camera Operators’ Camera Operator magazine, “Smooth Operator”
The Underwater Podcast, Episode 5
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