Tod Campbell

Tod Campbell, born May 30, 1972, out of Austin, Texas—yeah, the same city that’s pumped out killer music and a bunch of weirdos (in the best way). If you’re into cinematography, you’ve almost definitely seen his work, even if you didn’t know it at the time. Dude’s fingerprints are all over some of the coolest stuff on TV and film. Take Stranger Things—those neon-drenched shots, the pitch-perfect ‘80s vibe, all that moody lighting that makes you want to run for your old BMX? That’s Tod. Seriously, he knows how to set a scene so well, you practically feel the Demogorgon breathing down your neck. And don’t even get started on Mr. Robot. That show’s all anxiety and paranoia, and Tod’s camera work cranks it up to eleven. Every off-kilter angle, every shadow in the frame, it’s like he’s got a direct line to your nerves. Not to mention Boyhood, which, let’s be honest, is a wild ride in itself—shot over more than a decade, and Tod helped capture those little everyday moments that somehow add up to something huge. He’s not just a cinematographer, either; he’s done his time as an assistant director, which, if you know anything about film sets, means he’s basically a magician at wrangling chaos. Campbell’s style? Unmistakable. He’s got this knack for making even the most ordinary scenes feel loaded with meaning. The guy’s got an eye for detail, color, and atmosphere that pulls you right into the story. It’s no wonder his name keeps popping up on projects everyone’s talking about.