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
Philip Martin… this film, directed by Cameron Crowe, has better acting, more depth, and also boasts gorgeous cinematography.—Nancy Gordon
Nancy GordonExamples of cinematography in a Sentence
The film's cinematography is breathtaking.
Who did the cinematography for this film?
Recent Examples on the Web
Directed by Dennis Villeneuve, the film earned five nods, including production design, sound, cinematography and visual effects.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
The film has some impressive cinematography and the biggest scope Ewing and Grady have had the chance to work with.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
Now international films are regularly earning nominations in cinematography (six times since 2018) and even makeup (four times) and visual effects (the last two years, for the first time ever).
—Stuart Miller, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
While those films underperformed, Robert Eggers’ vampire film Nosferatu received more nominations than expected with four nods (for cinematography, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, and production design).
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cinematography 
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Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
The film has some impressive cinematography and the biggest scope Ewing and Grady have had the chance to work with.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
Now international films are regularly earning nominations in cinematography (six times since 2018) and even makeup (four times) and visual effects (the last two years, for the first time ever).
—Stuart Miller, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
While those films underperformed, Robert Eggers’ vampire film Nosferatu received more nominations than expected with four nods (for cinematography, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, and production design).
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cinematography
Dictionary Entries Near cinematography
Cite this Entry
“Cinematography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinematography. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cinematography
noun
cin·e·ma·tog·ra·phy
ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē
: the art or science of motion-picture photography
cinematographer
noun
-fər
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
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