Roger Deakins on Instinct, Experience and Not Knowing What Is a Cinematographer: ‘I Still Can’t Answer That’

Renowned cinematographer Roger Deakins recently visited Turin, Italy, accompanied by his wife and creative partner, James Ellis Deakins. During his time in the city, Deakins reflected on his career, his reliance on instinct and experience, and the difficulty of defining the role of a cinematographer, stating that he still cannot provide a definitive answer to what the profession entails.

The visit prompted Deakins to draw connections between his craft and the work of Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico. He noted that the city’s architectural features, including its expansive squares and long arcades, served as a source of inspiration for the artist, mirroring the visual sensibilities Deakins has cultivated throughout his career.