Ellen Kuras (born July 10, 1959) is an American cinematographer whose work includes narrative and documentary films, music videos and commercials in both the studio and independent worlds.
One of few female members of the American Society of Cinematographers, she is a pioneer best known for her work in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).
She has collaborated with directors such as Michel Gondry, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Jim Jarmusch, Rebecca Miller, Martin Scorsese and more.
In the early 1980s, Kuras planned to study on a Fulbright grant at a film school in Poland but was unable to go due to the introduction of martial law.
[citation needed] That same year, she was asked by producer Christine Vachon to shoot her first dramatic film (Swoon) for director Tom Kalin.
[citation needed] This was the start of work with Killer Films, which includes Postcards From America and I Shot Andy Warhol.