cinematography
gb/sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/ us/sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
process
1
art and technique of filming
the way a movie or video is filmed
Usage pattern:
cinematography of [film/show/video]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use cinematography to mean the story or acting; it refers to the visual filming (camera and lighting).
Synonyms
camera work (More informal; focuses mainly on camera movement and framing.)
|
film photography (Emphasizes the photographic side of filmmaking; can sound slightly technical.)
|
visual filmmaking (Broader; can include editing and overall visual approach, not just shooting.)
Antonyms
sound design (A different aspect of filmmaking focused on audio rather than visuals.)
Collocations
cinematography and lighting
|cinematography techniques
|cinematography style
|cinematography choices
|cinematography work
|cinematography team
|masterful cinematography
|stunning cinematography
|award-winning cinematography
|cinematography shot on location
Themes
film
|media
|arts
|photography
Examples
- The film’s cinematography uses long, slow camera moves to build tension.
- Good cinematography can make a simple location feel dramatic and alive.
- She studied how lighting and lens choice shape cinematography.
Learner examples
- I love the cinematography in this movie.
- The cinematography is very dark and moody.
Noun
C1
property
2
visual look of a film
the visuals of a movie (how it looks)
Usage pattern:
the cinematography is [adjective]
Common mistake:
Don’t use cinematography for special effects in general; it mainly describes what is achieved by camera and lighting.
Synonyms
visuals (More general; can include effects and design as well as camera work.)
|
look (Very general; often used with a modifier (e.g., 'the look of the film').)
Collocations
beautiful cinematography
|gorgeous cinematography
|gritty cinematography
|moody cinematography
|cinematography is stunning
|cinematography is breathtaking
|cinematography feels natural
|cinematography looks cheap
|high-contrast cinematography
|handheld cinematography
Themes
film
|media
|arts
Examples
- Even people who disliked the plot praised the cinematography.
- The cinematography is crisp and bright, which fits the comedy.
- I watched it just for the cinematography and the landscapes.
Learner examples
- The cinematography is amazing.
- The cinematography looks very realistic.
Noun
C1
abstract
3
profession of a cinematographer
the job of filming movies or videos
Usage pattern:
work in cinematography; go into cinematography
Common mistake:
Cinematography is the field; a person is a cinematographer (or director of photography).
Synonyms
camera department work (Production-focused; refers to the crew role rather than the art form.)
Collocations
a career in cinematography
|work in cinematography
|cinematography job
|cinematography experience
|cinematography portfolio
|cinematography reel
|cinematography training
|cinematography students
|cinematography course
|cinematography program
Themes
jobs
|film
|media
Examples
- After a few years as an assistant, he moved into cinematography full-time.
- She’s building a portfolio to apply for cinematography jobs.
- Many cinematography students start by shooting short films for friends.
Learner examples
- He wants a career in cinematography.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cinematography
IPA
GB/sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/
US/sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/
Syllables & stress
cine - ma - to - graphy (4 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (graphy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cinematography
- Plural: cinematography
Word family
Core family
Related words
cinematically
adverb
cinematographic
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uncinematic
adjective
Expressions
award-winning cinematography
1/əwˈɔɹd wˈɪnɪŋ sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/
fixed phrase
cinematography that won awards
camera work that won a prize
Examples
- The trailer promises award-winning cinematography and a powerful soundtrack.
- The director partnered with a DP known for award-winning cinematography.
- Viewers came for the cast but stayed for the award-winning cinematography.
best cinematography
1/bˈɛst sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/
fixed phrase
award category for camera work
a prize for the best camera work
Examples
- The movie won Best Cinematography for its striking use of natural light.
- She was thrilled when the film was nominated for Best Cinematography.
- Critics predicted it would take home Best Cinematography at the awards.
cinematography by [someone]
1/sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi bˈaɪ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
credit naming the cinematographer
words that say who filmed it
Examples
- The poster lists 'cinematography by Lina Cho' under the cast.
- In the end credits, 'cinematography by' appears right after the director.
- The press kit highlights 'cinematography by' the same DP from their last film.
cinematography credits
1/sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi kɹˈɛdɪts/
fixed phrase
listed credit(s) for cinematography
the names listed for who filmed it
Examples
- His cinematography credits include several award-winning independent films.
- The website lists the cinematography credits alongside the full crew list.
- They clarified the cinematography credits after a dispute about who shot the reshoots.
stunning cinematography
1/stˈʌnɪŋ sˌɪnɪmətˈɑɡɹəfi/
fixed phrase
cinematography that impresses strongly
very beautiful camera work
Examples
- The documentary has stunning cinematography of the deep ocean.
- Despite its small budget, the film delivers stunning cinematography.
- Reviewers highlighted the stunning cinematography in the final scene.