He has collaborated with directors such as Robert Redford, Neil Jordan, Stephen Frears, Tim Burton, David Yates, and Guy Ritchie.
After studying cinema at l'École Louis Lumière, he graduated in 1966 with, among others, François About, Eduardo Serra, Noël Very, and Jean-François Robin.
He began as an assistant to Néstor Almendros, then quickly emerged as chief operator, leading to his career.
He collaborated, in particular, with Jean-Jacques Beineix (Diva), Alain Cavalier (Thérèse), Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Bear), Robert Redford (A River Runs Through It), Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liaisons), John Boorman (The Tailor of Panama), Patrice Chéreau (Queen Margot), Bertrand Blier (Thanks Life), Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire), and Tim Burton on Planet of the Apes, Big Fish, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
With director Jean-Jaques Beineix and Diva, he worked successfully to make photographic aesthetics a central element of the filming process, developing a photographic light "effect" and creating a timeless, almost unreal atmosphere, which would become his trademark as in the films of Bertrand Blier.