cinematography

1 of 2

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsi-nə-mə-ˈtä-grə-fē 

: the art or science of photography in a visual medium (as for movies, television, or video games)

black-and-white cinematography

But most of the cinematography is pedestrian. Many scenes are ridiculously overlit—no doubt because Technicolor was still a glorious new gimmick in 1939.

—Philip Martin

… this film, directed by Cameron Crowe, has better acting, more depth, and also boasts gorgeous cinematography.

—Nancy Gordon

cinematographic

ˌsi-nə-ˌma-tə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

cinematographically

ˌsi-nə-ˌma-tə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

cinematographic

2 of 2

adjective

cin·​e·​mat·​o·​graph·​ic ¦si-nə-ˌma-tə-¦gra-fik 

variants or less commonly cinematographical

¦si-nə-ˌma-tə-¦gra-fi-kəl

1

a

: peculiar to, used in, or connected with cinematography

b

: skilled in cinematography

2

: filmed for or reproduced by means of motion-picture projection

3

a

: conveyed or evoked by motion pictures

b

: having qualities in common with cinematography

specifically : using devices suggestive of motion-picture technique

cinematographically

¦si-nə-ˌma-tə-¦gra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cinematography in a Sentence

Noun

The film's cinematography is breathtaking.

Who did the cinematography for this film?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The format treats skin tones differently than digital IMAX, finding more warmth while also playing up the blue-gray pallor that extends the often chilly cinematography. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

The doc, for which Shirai and Hiroshi Harahandled cinematography, with Frederick Shanahan as editor, mixes intimate vérité with poetic observation to reveal more about a sport that often seems particularly foreign to those outside of Japan. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

Two-time Oscar winner Roger Deakins and James Ellis Deakins then close the conference with a session on cinematography. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

There is additional cinematography by Roger Chapman, Ronnie McQuillan, and Tom Besley. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

cinematography + -ic, -ical

First Known Use

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cinematography

• arteriography
• autobiography
• biogeography
• cholangiography
• historiography
• photolithography
• photomicrography
• ultrasonography
• ventriculography
• angiocardiography
• electrocardiography
• arthrography

Kids Definition

cinematography

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē 

: the art or science of motion-picture photography

cinematographer

-fər

noun

cinematographic

-ˌmat-ə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

cinematography

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē 

plural cinematographies

: the art or science of motion-picture photography

X-ray fluoroscopic cinematography

cinematographic

-ˌmat-ə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

cinematographically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb