The achievements of cinematographer Michael Ballhaus

Michael Ballhaus was not only Germany's most famous cameraman, he was also known for being a really nice ugy. Born in 1935 in Berlin, Ballhaus was always calm and polite and embodied the image of a classic gentleman. Nevertheless, he was never shy to give his opinion on film sets - even if he disagreed with the director.

Some cinematographers and film directors complement each other so well that they develop a long-lasting professional relationship. This was the case for Michael Ballhaus and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The cameraman started working with Fassbinder in 1970. Together, they made over a dozen films within just a few years.

The camera work on Fassbinder's film "Martha" is legendary. Using a 360-degree dolly track, the camera circles around the actors Margit Carstensen and Karlheinz Böhm. Ballhaus also used this technique in his Hollywood films: It became his trademark.

Experimenting with Fassbinder on new techniques, Ballhaus developed a wide range of aesthetics in the 1970s. Color plays a major role in the cinematography of the successful film "The Marriage of Maria Braun."

Ballhaus moved on to Hollywood, working with Martin Scorsese for the first time in 1985. Their collaboration started with the production of the black comedy "After Hours."

Martin Scorsese is one of the most influential film directors in past decades. Ballhaus' camera genius contributed to boosting the cinematography of this filmmaker's work. They made seven films together.

His success in Hollywood allowed him to choose whom he wanted to work with. In 1986, he met the actor Paul Newman on the set of Martin Scorsese's film "The Color of Money." Ballhaus would later do the camera work on Newman's own film, when the latter directed "The Glass Menagerie" (1987).

Apart from Scorsese, the German camera legend worked with several other US film directors. He's pictured here posing with Jack Nicholson at the 2004 Berlinale. He was the cinematographer for the romantic comedy "Something's Gotta Give," which also starred Diane Keaton.

The German Film Academy paid tribute to Michael Ballhaus' exceptional career by awarding him the "Special Award for Outstanding Contributions to German Cinema" in 2012. He also won the "Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema" in 2007.

In 2006, Ballhaus made his last Hollywood film, the mafia drama "Departed" with Scorsese. He had intended to retire, but in 2013, his second wife, director Sherry Hormann, convinced him to make a film with her: "3096" about the Natascha Kampusch kidnapping in Austria.

Ballhaus was often involved in other projects beyond cinematography. He gave classes to film students. He was strongly committed to environmental protection. And in 2009, he created a tribute to his home city, the lyrical film essay "In Berlin," which he directed together with Ciro Cappellari. Here, he is pictured celebrating the premiere with the city's former mayor, Klaus Wowereit.

Usually, the fame goes to the actors and movie directors, but Michael Ballhaus reached cult status by staying behind the camera. He truly deserved the red carpet.