My chosen art inspiration is the critically acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins. I chose to use Deakins as my art inspiration because I feel his cinematographic work is incredibly immersive and emotive. I also find his work to be inspiring because I appreciate his precision and attention to detail when depicting the character’s perspective through the framing and lighting of each shot. 

To research Roger Deakin’s background into becoming a cinematographer I watched the interview linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDcTdMU_UsY 

Roger Deakims grew up in Torquay, England but his journey into becoming a Director of Photography began after he left grammar school. 

After leaving grammar school Deakins chose to study ‘Still Photography’ at Bath Spa University where he aspired to become a painter. At university he was recommended by a teacher to try photography as his paintings were much like photographs because they capture that same sense of realism. Deakins started to do more photography work and loved it. Deakins newfound love for photography led him to apply to the NFTS (National Film and Television School) to study Cinematography. 

However, the first time he applied they did not accept him and said to reapply next year as they felt he needed to gain more work experience. Deakins took their advice and got a job as a photographer for a local wildlife/community paper in Bath.

After a year passed he reapplied for the NFTS and was accepted. At the NFTS he was set on making documentaries but worked on student films both nonfiction and fiction. Once he completed film school, Deakins then worked on a few documentaries with fellow graduates and started to get attention for his work as cinematographer, and thus began his journey into the industry. 

To conclude, Roger Deakins filmography is very impressive, to name a few films he has worked as a DP (Director of Photography) on are, ‘Shawshank Redemption, Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou, No Country for Old Men, Skyfall, Prisoners and the list goes on. Deakins has also won two academy awards for his cinematography on Blade Runner 2049 and 1917.