Cinematography
/ˌsɪnɪməˈtɒɡrəfi/noun
The art and technique of motion-picture photography.
Did you know?Cinematography comes from Greek roots meaning “movement” and “writing,” so the word itself treats film like a kind of spell that captures motion and turns it into visible memory.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kínēma
“a movement or motion”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gráphein
“to write, draw, or record”
19th Century
French
cinématographie
“the process of filming or motion-picture photography”
Late 19th Century
English
cinematography
“the art of photographing moving images for film”
Modern English
English
cinematography
“the technique and art of motion-picture photography”
Explore more surprising origins