Reflections: On Cinematography

by Sir Roger Deakins

From sixteen-time Academy Award nominee, two-time Academy Award winner, and five-time BAFTA honoree, Sir Roger Deakins—widely regarded as the greatest cinematographer of all time—a one-of-a-kind visual memoir, telling his life's story by way of the iconic, beloved films he's shot, including The Shawshank Redemption , Skyfall , Fargo , Blade Runner 2049 , The Big Lebowski , 1917 , and No Country for Old Men , among others.

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. It’s not hyperbole to say that Roger Deakins is the greatest artist & scientist that the craft of cinematography has ever known.

In On Cinematography, Sir Roger Deakins offers his fans a one-of-a-kind look into his life and improbable road to Hollywood immortality. Listeners 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 cinematography career, including his longtime collaborations with the Coen Brothers, Sam Mendes, and Denis Villeneuve.

Filled with never-before-seen storyboards, sketches, and diagrams, Rogers shows listeners how he created some of the most iconic scenes in the most beloved films of all time. Through candid, lyrical prose, Deakins reflects on each of his projects; how he helped shape them, and how they shaped him.

A truly unique visual memoir, film fans and general listeners alike will find inspiration, beauty, and creativity by looking through the lens with which Roger views the world.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Photography

416 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

Reviews

[Morts. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mark Moehle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are lengthy discussions of cinematography here that are beyond my comprehension, but also a number of wonderful stories about the author's journeys through life. Deakins is admirably frank about some of the films he worked on that he didn't like. He also talks in great, glowing detail about his ongoing relationship with the Coen brothers. Chapters on Fargo and No Country For Old Men are highlights. Definitely worth your time... I just hope you have better luck getting through the passages on lenses and lighting than I did.

[John Kernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

poetic and technical both

It has to be., But Deacon’s handles both knowledgeably, makes the relationship clearer and the craft comes alive. Good work.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang maybe it’s not that easy to make films, Deakins goes through the process of creating the visuals of some of the best films of all time. What really stuck out to me was his planning sheets and their complexity.

[J Dubyuh]

Some people are good at talking about it and some people are good at doing it. Deakins is the latter.

There are people who can do both (George Saunders) but I’m trying to be generous.

[Asher Huskinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite patch to find on set is W.W.D.D. (What Would Deakins Do)

Well the answer is “keep it simple.” Seriously! The man was using light bulbs from Home Depot on Skyfall and Sicario.