Reflections: On Cinematography | Sunday Times Bestseller

by Roger Deakins

From two-time Academy Award winner from 16 nominations, and five-time BAFTA award winner from 11 nominations, 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 his iconic, beloved films, 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. 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.

Filled with never-before-seen storyboards, sketches, and diagrams, Deakins 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.

Genres: Film, Art, Nonfiction, Photography, Media Tie In

415 pages, Kindle Edition

First 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.

[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.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

snagged an audio copy of this book, with deakins himself reading, and man, it was a banger. enough personal detail at the beginning to get a sense of deakins' west england roots (torquay is a wonderful little place, and it comes up neatly again at the end), and then he gets into his technical education in bath and at the national film institute, followed by an extremely detailed discussion of his transition into documentaries, serious films, and so on. the films that engrossed him most fully - primarily the ones with a lot of technical challenges - get the requisite levels of detail about equipment, cameras, film use, exposure, lighting (of course; this is the king of natural lighting), and more. it's fascinating that he didn't win an oscar for the man who wasn't there - there's no film like it - but he got two solid pity wins (2049 and 1917 were both good films, but hardly his best...he peaked during the real-film era, and it's not so much that the coen brothers were good, or 1984 was good, as that HE was good). highly recommended.

[Finton Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

good old roger, what a legend - top tier read

[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.

[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.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a book for movie sickos and industry professionals only. Deakins gets very detailed on exactly what kinds of lights and cameras he used to achieve certain shots in certain scenes. I had to take a break midway through due to being overwhelmed by the jargon. But the experience was rewarding nonetheless.

Deakins takes the reader on a trip through his entire career starting with his early documentary work and ending with Empire of Light from 2022. Some films get only a brief mention, but most of them warrant their own chapter, where Roger includes photos from the set, stills from the films, and detailed diagrams of the lighting setup. A working cinematographer could use this book to rebuild exactly what Deakins accomplished in each scene, which is fascinating.

The epilogue is perhaps my favorite chapter of the book. Deakins lays out his philosophy of film and really, of art in general, including how art does and should interact with technology. Not only is he one of the greatest cinematographers of all-time, but he's a very thoughtful man who cares deeply about his craft.

[Oliver Mardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An expansive dive into the work of Roger Deakins, narrated by the man himself, and honestly it’s one of the most enriching and satisfying books Ive had the pleasure of reading. His insights into cinematography has only made my passion for the craft skyrocket, with his selected works being a testament to how much of a genius this guy is. I really enjoyed the shots he selected and the way he described his pre shooting methods and drawings.

I would love one day to be able to frame a film like him, know as much about the craft as him, and honestly this book has inspired me to go that far, collect all my chips and bet it on this life. Fantastic read, and something I will definitely be coming back to in the future.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What great fun this is to read. Worth reading if you like film, the physics of light, or memoirs generally; and if you like all three it's a must read.

[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.

[Jordan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewing for Empire.

[Lonnie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trove of absolutely incredible information from a living legend. It’s hard to even pick examples because the man has done it all.

Curious how the shot that scene in ? It’s in here.
Want diagrams on how they built out the bowling alley in The Big Lebowski? It’s in here.
Ever wondered how they got the colors to look like that in O, Brother Where Art Thou?, or the cameras used in Skyfall or 1917??? All that and so much more is in here.

If you have even a passing interest in movies and how they’re made or photography or cinematography (obvs) then you should check this out.

[Anthony Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dropped one star because I think there were sections that were too technical, giving the specifications of the lamps and lights used, so that it read more like an instruction manual than a memoir.
Otherwise, this was a fascinating look at the skill and artistry involved in lighting and photographing a film; the cinematographer really is responsible for the look of a film and Roger Deakins is a master of the craft, creating many of the most memorable visions ever put on screen.
Really made me want to go back and watch the films he describes.

[Alex]

Ever the gentleman, Roger Deakins lets you dive into the archival of his life's work while regaling you of the challenges involved. I loved reading how his relationship formed with the camera, and his version of the strange journeys we often find ourselves embarking on in a quest for something greater, more recognizable. Deakins's best work can be debated, which I think is the ultimate compliment to an artist's enduring legacy. Here you can soak in all the highlights and uncovered details from a career well-traveled.

[Campbell Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 is probably miserly, as it compares unfavorably only to Murch’s recent work Something Suddenly Clicked… if anything the photos here are better. Mr. Deakins is forthcoming and detailed, though at times he seems more preoccupied with ethics than art and he can’t crystallize the medium as brilliantly as Murch — but then, who can? Still lots to pour over and marvel at here.

[Jordal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent autobiography of the career of one of the greatest cinematographers in history, passionately and skillfully chronicling his journey in the industry since the late 1970s—beginning with documentaries and culminating in his recognition for several of Hollywood’s most iconic films, which represent the pinnacle of both commercial and artistic achievement.

[TYL LE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, Roger worked on a lot of good movies that I had to revisit or see for the first time. Many cool anecdotes from sets and ideas for things.

I’m not a professional cinematographer so for me, there was maybe a bit to much talk about what lamps they rented and color temperature, that is why it only got 4/5

Lots of nice pictures

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but only for serious film buffs. And specifically for people who want to learn about how some of the greatest films of the last 3 decades were made from arguably the best cinematographer of all time.

[Billie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating accounts of filming different movies in various locations. Lots of pictures support the stories. I especially enjoyed the sections that were filmed in my state. All nicely organized and extremely interesting facts. Learned so many things about how a movie is filmed. Great book!

[Trenton McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely incredible book for anyone interested in filmmaking. Deakins is a legend but he writes with humility and grace and his love for the craft beams in his elegant prose. Must read for cinematographers or directors.

[A Cesspool Buffoonery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Principle takeaway: more DIY/cheat codes than Cameraman memoir.

Maybe light on b-t-s anecdotals or making-of trivia, makes up with ample lighting & exposure schematics --

[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.

[Stephen Tubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strength of the story was recalling the challenges required in setting up a film shoot even though at times the narrative was a little too technical for the general reader.

[Sean Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved loved loved