Born in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. A child actor in the silent years, he later trained at Technicolor in the US and became one of England's first and most outstanding color cinematographers. Cardiff's work as a director has been less celebrated, although his 1960 adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers earned considerable acclaim. His extensive credits stretch from his entry into silents as an actor in MY SON, MY SON (1918), to his work as a clapper boy for HARMONY HEAVEN (1929) to his last recorded film, LIGHTS2 (2005).  Cinematography (Color) 1947: BLACK NARCISSUS  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1956: WAR AND PEACE  Nominated for Directing 1960: SONS AND LOVERS  Nominated for Cinematography (Color) 1961: FANNY  Honorary Award 2000 4 nominations, 1 Award, 1 Honorary Award