Trivia

He is the cinematographer for most of Steven Spielberg's movies.

After Schindler's List (1993), he started recruiting Columbia College Chicago undergraduate students to work on his and Steven Spielberg's films as production assistants and grips in the camera department.

Roomed with Mauro Fiore when both were training as cinematographers. Along with friends Wally Pfister and Phedon Papamichael, all four apprenticed as cinematographers on various Roger Corman low budget films in the early days of their careers.

Took up film making as a profession at Columbia College after immigrating to the U.S. at 21.

His first name is pronounced "Ya-nush". A common misconception is that its pronunciation is the same as the mythical figure Janus.

Filmed Lady Gaga's screen test for the role of Ally in A Star Is Born (2018) at her L.A. home in a scene especially written for her by Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters. Kaminski had previously worked with LG on her music video Lady Gaga: Alejandro (2010).

The very first cinematographer to present an award at the Academy Awards. He did so in 2009 (with James Franco and Seth Rogen) when Spielzeugland (2007) won the Best Short Film/Live Action Oscar.

Cinematographer for eight Oscar Best Picture nominees: Schindler's List (1993), Jerry Maguire (1996), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Munich (2005), War Horse (2011), Lincoln (2012), Bridge of Spies (2015) and The Post (2017). Schindler's List won Best Picture of 1993. Jerry Maguire is the only one of these films not directed by Steven Spielberg.

He attended Columbia College Chicago from 1982 to 1987 and earned his BA in Cinematography. Then transfered to The American Film Institute, where he earned his Masters Degree.

Of his four Oscar nominations and two wins, only one film in which he was the cinematographer wasn't directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie in question was The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007), directed by Julian Schnabel.

Was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) from 1994 until his resignation in 2006.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival in 2006.