SMPTE recognizes camera sensor development work of ARRI engineer Michael Cieslinski

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) has recently awarded Michael Cieslinski, Technical Lead Imaging Frontend at ARRI, with the 2022 Camera Origination and Imaging Medal Award.

The prize was established in 2012 and recognizes technical achievements related to invention or advances in imaging technology. The Awards from SMPTE will be distributed on October 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California, at the SMPTE Annual Awards Gala ceremony which is part of the SMPTE Media Technology Summit. This year’s Summit will be the Society’s first in-person conference since 2019.

Michael Cieslinski receives this award “in recognition of his pioneering work in image and camera design which led to the development of a family of high dynamic range electronic cinematography cameras that have the ability to create images with the look of 35 mm film,” has sentenced Jay Ballard, Chair of the SMPTE 2022 Camera Origination and Imaging Medal Award Committee.

Michael Cieslinski joined ARRI in 2000. He was initially tasked with the concept development for the ARRISCAN while working on ARRI’s first image sensor, the ALEV2, which was used in the D20/D21 cameras. He went on to lead the ARRISCAN project until 2005 before starting work on the architecture of the ALEV3 sensor, which first came to the market in the ALEXA in 2010. Currently, he works as a technical lead at ARRI on various topics like new sensor architecture, sensor package, image compression algorithm, calibration lamp, and pixel design.

The honoree affirms: “ARRI is a special place to work. On the one hand, there’s the know-how—on the other, there’s the ARRI spirit, with which people help and support each other. There is an absolute fixation on image quality and a management that has confidence in the employees and supports innovation. Outstanding products are then created on this basis.” He continues and recognizes his colleagues: “Without our excellent team, my ideas could not have been realized. I would therefore like to expressly thank my colleagues for the many years of cooperation and accept the award on their behalf as well.”