By Sir Roger Deakins
For most moviegoers, what makes or breaks a particular film is a combination of the story and the characters. Not much (if any) thought goes into how the film was made, what techniques or technology was utilized, or how many folks were involved in the process. That’s OK, and in fact, it’s the goal of most filmmakers – produce a film that entertains or enlightens, while keeping the magic behind the curtain. Of course, that ‘magic’ is actually hard work by a large crew after a significant amount of planning and preparation. For those who do care about such things (cinephiles, aspiring filmmakers), this latest book from Sir Roger Deakins is one to read and one to absorb.
Deakins is a two-time Oscar winner and 16-time nominee. Any list of the greatest cinematographers would include his name. An early interest in photography led to a start with documentaries, and then to this legendary career in feature films. He has worked with some of cinema’s most distinguished directors and on some of the best films since the 1980’s. The directors include the Coen Brothers, Martin Scorsese, Sam Raimi, and Denis Villeneuve. The films include BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017), SKYFALL (2012), TRUE GRIT (2010), NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007), A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001), THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998), FARGO (1996), THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994), and SID AND NANCY (1986). Of course, these lists are partial … the full lists would include more than a dozen directors and more than 70 films.
One of the remarkable things about Deakins’ latest book (he also published “Byways”, a book of his photographs in 2021) is that nearly every film he’s worked on gets at least a mention, although the breadth and detail of the write-ups vary significantly. It’s so rare and such a privilege to have one of the film industry’s giants take us on a mostly chronological journey through his career. Though not billed as a memoir, the book does include bits and pieces of his childhood in Torquay, England and personal life … especially the collaborations with his wife, James, herself a well-respected script supervisor. However, most of this deals with his approach to lighting and shooting and his collaboration with directors and crew.
Nearly 400 pages and 32 chapters are filled with Deakins recollections, as well as photographs/stills from the films, and sketches detailing individual shots from those films. We have all seen storyboards that directors use to plan a project, but for me, these are first diagrams I’ve ever seen on camera and lighting placements for specific scenes and settings. Deakins takes us through the scouting and preparation, and doesn’t shy away from discussing the directors who are most open to suggestions and recommendations. It’s difficult to imagine any filmmaker not encouraging input from a man with such a pedigree, yet it’s a reminder that egos are certainly prevalent in Hollywood.
Deakins has traveled the world with his work, and he is especially forthcoming on his time in Africa. Still, it’s his work on Hollywood films that has made him famous, and he credits his early work in documentaries for influencing his style. Some of the more detailed chapters are devoted to NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, SKYFALL, and BLADE RUNNER, three very different films where the lighting seemed especially challenging. Surprisingly, every chapter offers interesting and valuable insight into the making of films, and specifically the shooting of individual scenes.
Cinematography is a blend of art, science, creativity, and experience. Deakins shies away from the term “craft”, but what he accomplishes is pretty much the definition of a craft … and he’s an expert. As we would expect, this renowned cinematographer who excels at visual storytelling has included a hefty number of visuals to go along with his descriptions and journal-type entries. The book acts as an education, a memoir, and a tribute to the man who has contributed so much to our moviegoing pleasure over the past 40-plus years.
REFLECTIONS: ON CINEMATOGRAPHY releases on November 11, 2025 and is available in bookstores and Amazon
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