Great Deakins Interview - American Cinematographer

Michael Carter

Michael Carter

Veteran
...He has repeatedly stated that composition is the most critical part of the cinematographer’s job. “It’s much more important than lighting,” he told AC. “The balance of the frame — the way an actor is relating to the space in the frame — is the most important factor in helping the audience feel what the character is thinking.” Shooting documentaries no doubt honed Deakins’ skills, but, as Joel Coen says, “Composition in movies is often an on-the-fly, instinctual thing. You either have it or you don’t. We’ve worked with a lot of operators, and Roger is by far the best.”*

Read it here:


http://www.theasc.com/ac_magazine/January2011/RogerDeakinsASCBSC/page1.php
 
Thanks for the article.

Don't forget ro check out the forum at rogerdeakins.com. He often answers questions personally.
 
Compostion...That's what I'm practising now, with the help of a dslr I'm tryng to get nice compostions that speak by themselves.....I guess that practising helps making a better composition eye......
 
ilauzirika said:
I guess that practising helps making a better composition eye......
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That and studying images you like - fashion shots, movie scenes, paintings, etc;

There are many books on design principles that have a direct bearing on shots - also handy if you're shooting ads that will have graphics added.

And then there's this book, which will open your mind to some amazing possibilities of using shot design, pacing, color, depth, etc to go beyond simple framing and into the psychology of how movies affect us at a deeper level. Highly recommended.
 
Michael Carter said:
That and studying images you like - fashion shots, movie scenes, paintings, etc;

There are many books on design principles that have a direct bearing on shots - also handy if you're shooting ads that will have graphics added.

And then there's this book, which will open your mind to some amazing possibilities of using shot design, pacing, color, depth, etc to go beyond simple framing and into the psychology of how movies affect us at a deeper level. Highly recommended.
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sure theory and studying everything related to visual stuff and how it affects us is important to learn. Not long ago I bought a book on how to paint house rooms and how each color affects our brain, mood etc... it was an interesting read.
 
This was the best read on my last flight. This man is beyond inspiring. It was eerily similar how we both got our start so he's very relatable for me.
 
Composition is important, but in my opinion not as important as lighting. Not that I'm in any position to disagree with Roger Deakins, haha.
 
Finnegan said:
Composition is important, but in my opinion not as important as lighting. Not that I'm in any position to disagree with Roger Deakins, haha.
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I guess the key is a balanced mixture of those two elements plus some other.....
 
Michael Carter said:
And then there's this book, which will open your mind to some amazing possibilities of using shot design, pacing, color, depth, etc to go beyond simple framing and into the psychology of how movies affect us at a deeper level. Highly recommended.
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The Visual Story is one of the most important books I've read. I just finished his follow-up.
 
vcassel said:
Exactly. Cinematography isn't arbitrary; it relies on the visual strategy and image system planned by the director and cinematographer which is built on the analysis of the script.
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Right. But every director/cinematographer relationship is different. I've worked with directors who choose each shot specifically, and I've worked with directors who let me compose the shot entirely. The reason I think lighting is more important for a cinematographer is because that department is entirely our own, as opposed to composition in which the director can and usually does have major influence.
 
I disagree. I think if your shot isn't balanced properly with its composition, that it will have more of a detrimental effect to the scene then poor lighting. Obviously, both go hand-in-hand in creating a pleasing picture, but I think composition just barely nudges out lighting in importance.
 
Gary Huff said:
Obviously, both go hand-in-hand in creating a pleasing picture, but I think composition just barely nudges out lighting in importance.
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Overall? Yes, it does. For a cinematographer specifically? Lighting is more important. Deakins is quoted as specifying that he believes that composition is more important for a cinematographer and that's the part that I disagree with, for previously stated reasons.
 
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