Meaning & use
cinematography
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountable
The art and technique of filming, including camera work, lighting, and framing.
Grammar: Uncountable; no plural. Often used with 'the': The cinematography is beautiful.
Patterns
- the cinematography of something
- beautiful cinematography
- cinematography by someone
The cinematography in that nature documentary is breathtaking.
He won an award for his cinematography.
She studied cinematography at film school.
Common combinations
- the cinematography of a film
- The cinematography of the film won many awards.
- stunning cinematography
- The movie is known for its stunning cinematography.
- cinematography by [name]
- The cinematography by Roger Deakins is masterful.
Synonyms and how they differ
- camera work
- More informal and focuses on the operation of the camera, not the whole art.
- filming
- General term for the process of shooting; cinematography implies artistic quality.
Word family
- cinematographer noun
- The person who directs the camera and lighting.
- cinematic adjective
- Relating to films; e.g., cinematic techniques.
Commonly confused: cinematography or cinematics?
cinematography vs cinematics
Cinematics is a broader, less common term for visual style, often in games; cinematography is the standard term for film camera work.
Practice
The film's ______ was praised for its use of natural light.
Choose one answer.
Cinematography is the noun for the art of filming. Cinematographer is the person, cinematic is an adjective, and cinematics is a different noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cinematography”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.