Roger Deakins, the 50-year veteran cinematographer behind some of the most visually stunning films in recent history, is struggling to define his craft. When asked what he does, he exclaims, "Argh!" - a sentiment echoed by many in the film industry as they try to articulate their profession.
For Deakins, cinematography is not just about capturing images, but about telling a visual story that complements the narrative. He collaborates closely with directors and other departments to bring his vision to life, often working under tight deadlines and with limited resources.
Deakins's own journey into film was circuitous, starting as a still photographer before transitioning to cinematography. His early work on documentaries and music videos honed his skills and gave him the confidence he needed to take on bigger projects.
He values specificity and intentionality in his craft, preferring to strip down scenes to their bare essentials rather than relying on flashy camera movements or excessive lighting. This approach is reflected in his work on films like Martin Scorsese's Kundun and Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049.
However, as the film industry continues to evolve, Deakins is concerned that cinematography may become a lost art. The rise of digital technology has made it easier to manipulate images and create elaborate effects, but he believes this can lead to a lack of subtlety and nuance in storytelling.
"I don't want to experience 24 weeks on a volume with a virtual reality background," Deakins says, highlighting his preference for practical filmmaking techniques. He also critiques the proliferation of big-budget action films that rely heavily on green screens and CGI, believing they detract from more meaningful storytelling.
Despite these concerns, Deakins remains committed to mentoring the next generation of cinematographers through his Team Deakins podcast and website. Alongside his wife James Ellis Deakins, he aims to demystify the film industry and provide a platform for aspiring filmmakers to share their work and learn from each other.
As Deakins reflects on his own career, he emphasizes the importance of finding passion and love in one's work. "Isn't that just life?" he says, recalling a conversation with a farmer who found joy in his stone wall-building work. This sense of purpose is something Deakins believes is essential for anyone pursuing a creative profession.
Deakins's latest book, Reflections: On Cinematography, offers a unique glimpse into the world of cinematography and provides insight into his own process and philosophies. While he acknowledges that the film industry is changing, he remains optimistic about the future and encourages aspiring filmmakers to stay true to their artistic vision.
For Deakins, cinematography is not just about capturing images, but about telling a visual story that complements the narrative. He collaborates closely with directors and other departments to bring his vision to life, often working under tight deadlines and with limited resources.
Deakins's own journey into film was circuitous, starting as a still photographer before transitioning to cinematography. His early work on documentaries and music videos honed his skills and gave him the confidence he needed to take on bigger projects.
He values specificity and intentionality in his craft, preferring to strip down scenes to their bare essentials rather than relying on flashy camera movements or excessive lighting. This approach is reflected in his work on films like Martin Scorsese's Kundun and Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049.
However, as the film industry continues to evolve, Deakins is concerned that cinematography may become a lost art. The rise of digital technology has made it easier to manipulate images and create elaborate effects, but he believes this can lead to a lack of subtlety and nuance in storytelling.
"I don't want to experience 24 weeks on a volume with a virtual reality background," Deakins says, highlighting his preference for practical filmmaking techniques. He also critiques the proliferation of big-budget action films that rely heavily on green screens and CGI, believing they detract from more meaningful storytelling.
Despite these concerns, Deakins remains committed to mentoring the next generation of cinematographers through his Team Deakins podcast and website. Alongside his wife James Ellis Deakins, he aims to demystify the film industry and provide a platform for aspiring filmmakers to share their work and learn from each other.
As Deakins reflects on his own career, he emphasizes the importance of finding passion and love in one's work. "Isn't that just life?" he says, recalling a conversation with a farmer who found joy in his stone wall-building work. This sense of purpose is something Deakins believes is essential for anyone pursuing a creative profession.
Deakins's latest book, Reflections: On Cinematography, offers a unique glimpse into the world of cinematography and provides insight into his own process and philosophies. While he acknowledges that the film industry is changing, he remains optimistic about the future and encourages aspiring filmmakers to stay true to their artistic vision.
I feel you, Deakins... capturing the perfect shot can be so frustrating when it feels like nobody understands what we do 
It's not just about pointing a camera and clicking a button, it's about telling a story through images that makes people feel something 
And yeah, with all the tech advancements, it can be tempting to go overboard with fancy effects... but sometimes less is more, you know? 
I think what Deakins is trying to say is that there's value in stripping down scenes and focusing on the essence of the story rather than getting caught up in flashy stuff 
And I love how he emphasizes the importance of finding passion and purpose in your work... it's so true! 
. I mean, in an era where everything can be easily edited and manipulated digitally, it's refreshing to see someone who values the raw, authentic feel of film over fancy effects. His approach is all about stripping away the noise and getting back to what really matters - telling a story that resonates with people. And he's not afraid to speak up about his concerns, which shows he's got heart 
. It's awesome that he's using his platform to mentor the next gen of cinematographers and promote a more thoughtful approach to filmmaking 
I'm not saying it's better, just that we need to be careful not to lose ourselves in the noise...
. Newsflash: just 'cause you can do fancy effects on a computer doesn't mean you're creating substance. I'm not saying Deakins is wrong or anything, but maybe he should chill out and recognize that there's still room for traditional techniques in this industry 
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. anyway, its awesome that he's trying to mentor the next gen and share his knowledge, because at the end of the day, film is all about telling a story and bringing it to life 
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. And yeah, digital tech has made it easier to manipulate images, but sometimes I think that's exactly what's wrong with modern filmmaking - the lack of authenticity and heart 
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. That's something we should all be behind. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good practical film technique? 
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. The way he emphasizes the importance of finding passion in your work is so relatable. As someone who's always been a productivity enthusiast, I can attest that when you love what you do, it doesn't even feel like work 
, but Deakins's approach to cinematography makes me want to go back to basics and focus on telling a great visual story rather than just relying on fancy effects 
. I'm totally gonna check out his podcast and book now! 
. But I guess it's more about telling a story and working with the director and crew to bring that vision to life.
. And I'm loving that he's staying true to himself, even as the industry changes. That's the key to happiness, right?
I think his approach to cinematography is still totally relevant in today's world, especially with all these blockbuster films relying on CGI 
it's cool that he's sticking to what he knows and loves about the craft. plus, someone's gotta keep the old-school filmmaking techniques alive 
. Deakins's approach to stripping down scenes to their bare essentials makes so much sense – I've seen some of his work on Martin Scorsese's films, and it's like you can feel the story unfolding right in front of you