cinematography

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

Examples of cinematography in a Sentence

The film's cinematography is breathtaking.

Who did the cinematography for this film?

Recent Examples on the Web

On the craft side, the movie never feels too slick; there’s an agreeable looseness to its pacing, even at its zippiest, and a crisp unfussiness to Malik Hassan Sayeed’s cinematography. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

The superb cinematography is from Malik Hassan, working again with Guadagnino after last year’s After the Hunt, and as usual in the director’s films, the music score really pops, this one from Damon Albarn. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Variety will present its fifth annual 10 Artisans to Watch at the festival, honoring standout talent in cinematography, costume design, editing, hair and makeup, production design, sound editing and design and visual effects. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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