Robbie Ryan's Cinematic Alchemy: Mastering the Art of Lens Choice and Storytelling

Robbie Ryan, the acclaimed Irish cinematographer, has been recognized as the winner of the inaugural THR Visionary in Cinematography Award at this year's EnergaCamerimage festival. Ryan, now 55 years old, has built a remarkable career defined by his radical range and adaptability.

Over the past decades, Ryan has collaborated with a diverse array of directors, from the raw, handheld urgency of Andrea Arnold to the fixed-tripod, long-lens approach of Ken Loach, and the wild, rule-breaking experimentation of Yorgos Lanthimos. His guiding principle has always been that the story dictates the style, leading him to shoot on a variety of formats, including 4:3 ratio, VistaVision, and even Ektachrome stock.

Ryan's journey into cinematography began as a teenager, when he and his friends would make short films on a Super 8 camera during school holidays. This early passion for filmmaking laid the foundation for his versatile and innovative approach, which has earned him acclaim in the industry.

Through his collaborations with directors like Arnold and Loach, Ryan has honed his skills in capturing realism and authenticity on screen. He has also embraced the more experimental and rule-breaking style of Lanthimos, exploring the use of wide-angle lenses and unconventional camera placements to enhance the storytelling.

As the industry continues to evolve, with the increasing dominance of digital technology, Ryan remains a staunch advocate for the enduring magic of celluloid. He believes that film has an inherent identity and alchemy that digital formats struggle to replicate, and his commitment to this medium has been a driving force in his career.