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Roger Deakins, already venerated as one of cinematography’s great masters, adds a new chapter to his legacy with a visual memoir “Reflections: On Cinematography,” set for release on Nov. 11. Across some 416 pages, the Oscar-winning cinematographer offers fans and film enthusiasts an intimate ride through his life’s work — from his early years in Torquay, England to his first ventures into documentary and music video and finally to his defining collaborations with auteurs such as the Coen Brothers, Sam Mendes and Denis Villeneuve.
Reflections: On Cinematography
Deakins is known for turning light, shadow, and atmosphere into storytelling tools. Whether it’s the rich golden tones of Mendes’s “1917,” the neon dystopia of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner 2049,” or the muted, dust-laden landscapes of the Coen brothers’ “No Country for Old Men.” The new book promises never-before-seen storyboards, sketches and technical diagrams behind some of the iconic scenes from these films, offering not just the why behind his choices, but the how. Some pages that have been teased include sketches of sites and scenes from “Blade Runner 2049,” such as the Vegas exterior and Anna’s lab, Wallace Records and Sapper’s Farm. Other scenes that he dissects include the boardroom at dusk in “The Hudsucker Proxy” and the motel/coffee shop/hospital sequences in “No Country for Old Men.”
In addition to his work, Deakins also traces his own childhood and rise to fame for the first time, including his difficult upbringing in England and entering art school. Filmmakers will most appreciate his technical insights, in which he discusses the importance of lighting, camera movement and framing, which he has mastered and for which earned him 18 Academy Award nominations, and two wins, over his career.
Pre-order Deakins’ new visual memoir “Reflections: On Cinematography” here.
