Reflections
On Cinematography
Published on 12. February 2026
Book
Hardback
416 pages
978-1-78840-665-9 (ISBN)
Description
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 Reflections: 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.
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 Reflections: 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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Octopus Publishing Group
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 208 mm
Width: 258 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
1686 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78840-665-9 (9781788406659)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Sir Roger A. Deakins is widely regarded as the greatest cinematographer of all time. Roger has been nominated for 16 Academy Awards, winning twice for Blade Runner 2049 and 1917. He has also been nominated 11 times for the BAFTA award, winning on five occasions. Roger has been awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Society of Cinematographers, the British Society of Cinematographers, and the National Board of Review. He is also the sole cinematographer to have been honored with a CBE, in 2013, and a knighthood, in 2021. Roger splits his time between England and California, with his wife and longtime collaborator, James. You can follow them @team.deakins.