Ning Li was a Chinese-American cinematographer.

Born in Shanghai, China, Li emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1981.

He graduated from Columbia University in 1997 with a B.S. in Structural Engineering. He returned to Columbia in 2004 to complete a Master of Architecture degree.

Having discovered his passion for movies and filmmaking while living in San Francisco, Li later chose to pursue this in his studies, completing an M.F.A. in film production in 2008 from the City College of New York. Upon graduation, Ning worked in the motion picture industry as an active member of the IATSE (International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees) and on many independent film and television productions.

Li worked with the camera department on the FX television series The Americans for four seasons.

Li died November 1, 2017, in Brooklyn, New York. He was 43.