Spent his early years between Guadalajara, Mexico, and Los Angeles. Settled in L.A. in 1956. Worked variously as a bit part actor, before becoming a cinematographer in television. Initially with Wolper Productions, working on documentaries. First film work as assistant to Winton C. Hoch, Gene Polito and James Wong Howe (as co-photographer on Seconds (1966).
Member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).