As a cinematographer, he became known for his two collaborations with Martin Scorsese: "Taxi Driver" (1976) and "Raging Bull" (1980). Chapman was also cinematographer for the remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978). He and Scorsese were huge fans of The Band, and Chapman served as the principal cinematographer for their documentary on The Band, called "The Last Waltz" (1978). With nine cameras shooting at once, Chapman remembered that “the strategy for filming all of their songs was planned out in enormous detail.”