cinematography

noun

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

: the art or science of motion-picture photography

cinematographic

ˌsi-nə-ˌma-tə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

cinematographically

ˌsi-nə-ˌma-tə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cinematography in a Sentence

The film's cinematography is breathtaking.

Who did the cinematography for this film?

Recent Examples on the Web

When the producers protested, Cimino put them off by showing some spectacular wide-angle shots — whatever the film’s flaws, Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography is jaw-dropping — and everybody retreated to their corners. —Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Like Seven and Panic Room, Zodiac is a gripping, grimy crime story filled with intense performances and slick cinematography. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024

The epic biopic now has three Oscars, winning for best supporting actor, best editing and best cinematography. —Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024

Oppenheimer won seven Academy Awards including best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr., best actor for Cillian Murphy, best score, best editing, best cinematography and of course, best picture. —Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024

Student films provide opportunities for budding filmmakers to experiment with their craft and forge partnerships with actors and crew members, said Christopher Chan Roberson, who teaches cinematography at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. —Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

With a haunting soundtrack and precise, brooding cinematography, Argento creates a chillingly grimy atmosphere that pervades every frame. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2024

Through the use of sound (the storm lashes on throughout the night) and shadowy cinematography, a great sense of unease cloaks this taut bone-chiller, a chamber piece played to perfection by its two leads. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

He’s directed and animated but loves cinematography. —Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

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