# cinematography

/ˌsɪnɪməˈtɑɡɹəfi/ (US) · /sˌɪnɪmɐtˈɒɡɹəfi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cinematography
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the art or technique of filming a movie. It includes how the camera moves, how the lights are set up, and how the colors look on screen.

For teachers: the art and technique of motion-picture photography, encompassing lighting, camera movement, and lens selection to achieve a specific visual style.

## Examples

- The cinematography in that movie is absolutely beautiful.
- The director worked closely with the director of photography to ensure the cinematography captured the dark mood of the script.
- While the plot was criticized for being predictable, the film's innovative cinematography utilized natural light and long takes to create a sense of immersive realism.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the craft or the visual quality of a film.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.