Néstor Almendros, the Oscar-winning cinematographer of Days of Heaven, was slowly going blind due to a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that narrows vision over time and impairs night sight.
Despite this, he created some of the most breathtaking imagery in film history. Using mostly natural light and shooting during the brief “magic hour,” Almendros turned limitation into poetry. His fading eyesight didn't stop him from capturing visuals that still feel timeless, painterly, and emotionally rich.
Days of Heaven remains a testament to the power of instinct, craft and vision beyond sight.
