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Reflections: On Cinematography
From a two-time Academy Award winner widely regarded as the greatest cinematographer of all time—a one-of-a-kind visual memoir, telling his life's story by way of his iconic, beloved films.
Cinematography is both an art and science—capturing motion requires a combination of skill, ingenuity, and artistic genius. Lighting, camera movement, and framing are just a few of the important components in the process of turning words on a page into unforgettable moving images.
Over the course of a brilliant 50-year career, Sir Roger Deakins has proven to be the greatest artist & visionary that the craft of cinematography has ever known.
In On Cinematography , Deakins offers his fans and film enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind look into his life and improbable road to Hollywood immortality. Readers will discover how “the boy from Torquay, England” overcame a troubled childhood to enter his way into art school; his fortuitous entry into world of documentary filmmaking (including a yacht race around the world); to shooting groundbreaking music videos such as Herbie Hancock’s “Rock It,” to his singular film career, including his longtime collaborations with the Coen Brothers, Sam Mendes, and Denis Villeneuve.
Rogers shows readers how he created some of the most iconic scenes in the most beloved films of all time. Through candid, lyrical prose, Deakins reflects on his life and each of his projects; how he helped shape them, and how they shaped him.
A truly unique visual memoir, Reflections is for film fans and general readers alike, and for anyone looking to find inspiration, beauty, and creativity by looking through the singular lens with which Roger views the world.
Cinematography is both an art and science—capturing motion requires a combination of skill, ingenuity, and artistic genius. Lighting, camera movement, and framing are just a few of the important components in the process of turning words on a page into unforgettable moving images.
Over the course of a brilliant 50-year career, Sir Roger Deakins has proven to be the greatest artist & visionary that the craft of cinematography has ever known.
In On Cinematography , Deakins offers his fans and film enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind look into his life and improbable road to Hollywood immortality. Readers will discover how “the boy from Torquay, England” overcame a troubled childhood to enter his way into art school; his fortuitous entry into world of documentary filmmaking (including a yacht race around the world); to shooting groundbreaking music videos such as Herbie Hancock’s “Rock It,” to his singular film career, including his longtime collaborations with the Coen Brothers, Sam Mendes, and Denis Villeneuve.
Rogers shows readers how he created some of the most iconic scenes in the most beloved films of all time. Through candid, lyrical prose, Deakins reflects on his life and each of his projects; how he helped shape them, and how they shaped him.
A truly unique visual memoir, Reflections is for film fans and general readers alike, and for anyone looking to find inspiration, beauty, and creativity by looking through the singular lens with which Roger views the world.
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Published November 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 29, 2025
An inspiring shoo-in for film studies reading lists. Detailed decision making and problem work-throughs on familiar films, often armed with just a shopping list from the nearest hardware shop. A breadth of knowledge gained through a career spanning significant changes in technology, grafting alongside every conceivable personality flaw - egotistical actors, controlling directors, and the blessed flipside.
Recommended if only for the chapters on the Coen brothers films - rounding out memorable scenes in ‘No country for old men’ such as the facsimile milk swigging scene (no spoilers). The (purposely constructed) cabin where Ed Tom Bell relates his dreams of his father and the manipulation of natural light.
Also sticking in my mind -
- Filming the drifting, long-take river escape in ‘1917’, semi-immersed with Lance Corporal Schofield.
- Foiling inappropriate weather in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and curtailing the directors eager ‘lightning’ production in the sewer rebirth scene.
- Capturing a fleeting sunset in ‘Titanic’ (not Sir Rog’s work, funny nevertheless).
- The colour temperature in Blade Runner 2049.
So much comes down to the particular lighting of a scene. A new perspective for my viewing. It’s good to be reminded that everything on screen exists for a reason, its somebody's vision, their labour.
Recommended if only for the chapters on the Coen brothers films - rounding out memorable scenes in ‘No country for old men’ such as the facsimile milk swigging scene (no spoilers). The (purposely constructed) cabin where Ed Tom Bell relates his dreams of his father and the manipulation of natural light.
Also sticking in my mind -
- Filming the drifting, long-take river escape in ‘1917’, semi-immersed with Lance Corporal Schofield.
- Foiling inappropriate weather in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and curtailing the directors eager ‘lightning’ production in the sewer rebirth scene.
- Capturing a fleeting sunset in ‘Titanic’ (not Sir Rog’s work, funny nevertheless).
- The colour temperature in Blade Runner 2049.
So much comes down to the particular lighting of a scene. A new perspective for my viewing. It’s good to be reminded that everything on screen exists for a reason, its somebody's vision, their labour.
December 11, 2025
What an unexpected lovely look back at Deakins career. I was expecting more of a Manuel and technical breakdown which it partly was., but it was also just well told stories from one of the greats of my industry.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews