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While videography and cinematography may seem interchangeable, especially in today’s digital age, they hold distinct meanings that can shape how your project is approached and executed.
With years of experience in both fields, we’ve seen how understanding the distinction can make a difference. Videography and cinematography are not just technical terms—they reflect different approaches to storytelling, style, and production quality.
In this videography vs cinematography guide, we’ll explore their key differences, providing you with the insights needed to make an informed decision about your next project.
Cinematography & Videography Compared
Cinematography and videography differ primarily in their approach and level of pre-production planning.
Cinematography focuses on artistic decisions and storytelling, with more strategic planning around shots, lighting, and composition. It is often used in films and high-end productions where visual aesthetics are crucial.
Videography, on the other hand, is more practical and event-driven. It captures real-time moments with less preparation and simpler equipment.
While cinematography allows for greater creative control and planning, videography often deals with unpredictability, requiring flexibility and quick adjustments as live events unfold.
What’s Cinematography?
Cinematography is the art and technique of capturing visual storytelling through motion picture photography. It involves carefully crafting each shot to convey emotion, mood, and narrative, using lighting, camera angles, framing, and movement [1].
Cinematographers, also known as directors of photography (DPs) [2], work closely with the director, media specialists, assistant camera operators, and video editors to bring the vision of a film, commercial, or video project to life.
Cinematography goes beyond simply recording events; it creates a cinematic experience that enhances storytelling through visual artistry.
Pros
- Creative control over visual storytelling
- Ability to work on high-budget films, commercials, and artistic projects
- Collaboration with directors and creative teams to shape the overall look of a film production
- Opportunity to create visually stunning and memorable scenes
- Versatility in working with different types of video cameras, lighting, and technology
Cons:
- Requires long hours on set, often in challenging conditions and shoot locations
- It can be physically demanding, with heavy equipment, creative direction, and complex setups
Skills Required to be a Cinematographer
- Strong understanding of camera equipment, lenses, and film formats
- Expertise in lighting design and techniques
- Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with directors and film production crew
- Creative vision and artistic sense for visual composition
- Technical skills in operating cameras (a DSLR camera or high-end video camera), drones, and other filming equipment
- Knowledge of post-production processes like colour grading and post-production editing process
- Problem-solving skills and adaptability on set
What’s Videography?
Videography is capturing moving images [3], typically in a real-time or event-based setting.
Videography is more practical and straightforward than cinematography, which focuses on artistic storytelling and highly planned shots. It is often used to capture live events, weddings, documentaries, or promotional content.
Videographers tend to work with a small crew and handle technical aspects of production themselves, such as shooting, lighting, and sometimes editing.
The videography emphasizes efficiently capturing moments of an event or story as it unfolds, prioritizing coverage and clarity over elaborate visual techniques in the film industry.
Pros
- Opportunity to work on various projects (events, corporate, promotional, etc.)
- Flexible work environment, often allowing for freelance or independent work
- Faster production timelines compared to cinematic projects
- Involves a diverse range of tasks, from shooting to editing, offering a well-rounded experience
- Smaller crew and simpler setups, making it easier to manage independently
Cons
- Less creative direction freedom compared to cinematography, with a focus on capturing live events
- It can involve long hours and physically demanding tasks, especially during live events
Skills Required to be a Videographer
- Proficiency in operating cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment
- Strong editing skills with knowledge of editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
- Ability to work efficiently in fast-paced, real-time environments
- Good client interaction and communication skills
- Understanding of composition, framing, and basic lighting techniques
- Time management and multitasking abilities for handling various aspects of production
Factors to Consider
Project Size & Film Production Scope
Larger projects, such as films, commercials, or high-budget marketing campaigns, typically require cinematography due to the need for detailed planning, artistic direction, and high production value.
Smaller projects like conference recordings, corporate videos, or interviews usually involve videography, which aims to capture events efficiently without complex setups.
Size of the Production Team
Cinematography generally involves a larger film crew, including lighting, camera operation, sound, and post-production specialists. This is because it often requires more technical expertise and creative collaboration.
Videography, however, is usually handled by a single videographer or a small team, which covers all aspects of production, from shooting to editing, making it more streamlined.
Pre-shoot Planning Time
Cinematography involves extensive pre-shoot planning, where directors and motion picture camera operators (first and second assistant cameras) carefully choreograph each shot, lighting setup, and movement of video cameras to tell a story.
Videography requires much less planning because it focuses on capturing events as they happen, with only basic preparations like gear, audio equipment selection, and venue scouting.
Need for Artistic Direction
The director’s vision is important in both videography and cinematography.
“Directing is actually one of the biggest things as a videographer that you need to learn,” notes cinematographer and videographer Josh Miller.
Cinematography emphasizes artistic direction, often working closely with a director to achieve a specific visual style and tone.
Videography is more straightforward. It focuses on capturing clear and accurate footage with less emphasis on creative visuals. The choice depends on whether the music video or project needs a cinematic feel or practical coverage.
Type of Work
The type of work for cinematography and videography can be different.
Cinematography is typically associated with creative projects such as films, commercials, or music videos, where visual storytelling and aesthetics are key.
Videography is often used for documenting and capturing live events, wedding videos, or producing content that requires less artistic flair and more real-time capture, like interviews or conferences.
Can Somebody be Both Videographer & Cinematographer?
Yes, someone can be both a videographer and a cinematographer, as the skills in both roles overlap significantly.
Videographers and cinematographers can switch between projects that require videography’s practicality and those that demand cinematography’s artistic depth.
A videographer might transition into cinematography by honing artistic skills in lighting, camera techniques, and visual storytelling. At the same time, a professional cinematographer may take on videography-directing projects to offer a more streamlined, event-focused service.
The key difference lies in the approach and purpose of each role, but with the right experience and adaptability, videographers and cinematographers can effectively handle both, tailoring their skills to fit the project’s needs.
Also read: Average Video Production Rates in Vancouver
FAQs
What is the difference between cinematic and traditional video?
The difference between cinematic and traditional video is their approach and style.
Cinematic videos aim to replicate the look and feel of films, focusing on artistic elements like lighting, camera angles, and colour grading to create a polished, visually engaging experience.
They tend to have more deliberate camera movements, such as smooth pans or tracking shots, and often use shallow depth of field techniques to blur the background and draw attention to the subject.
On the other hand, traditional videos are more practical and straightforward. They capture live events or corporate content ideas with simpler setups and less focus on art direction.
What makes videos look cinematic?
A combination of factors makes a video look cinematic. Lighting plays a crucial role, with dramatic setups that enhance mood and depth. A shallow depth of field is often used to keep the subject in focus while creating a beautiful, blurred background using editing tools.
Cinematic videos also utilize smooth camera movements and are often shot in wider aspect ratios, like 21:9, which gives them a more film-like quality (like wedding videographers do).
In post-production, colour grading helps establish a specific tone or mood by adjusting the colours, making the video more stylized.
Lastly, shooting at 24 frames per second adds to the cinematic feel, creating a natural motion blur that mirrors the frame rate used in films [4]. These elements combined give videos a professional, movie-like aesthetic.
Key Takeaways
While videography and cinematography both involve capturing moving images, they serve different purposes and require distinct approaches.
Videography focuses on real-time events and practicality, offering efficient coverage with minimal planning. It is often suited for corporate videos, events, and live event recordings.
Cinematography, on the other hand, emphasizes artistic storytelling, as seen in Hollywood-style feature films or short films. It uses carefully crafted shots, lighting, and composition to create visually captivating and emotional narratives, typically seen in films, commercials, and high-end productions.
Understanding the differences helps choose the right approach based on the project’s needs, ensuring the final product aligns with your vision, whether for documentation or visual storytelling.
If you’re looking for expert guidance and high-quality production tailored to your project, Tetra Films can help you with everything from planning to final production. Contact us if you’re interested in video production services in the Vancouver area. Reach out today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life!
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/cinematography
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-101-what-is-the-director-of-photography-and-is-director-of-photography-the-same-as-cinematographer
- https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/discover/what-is-videography.html
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/bennyhareven/2019/10/10/gemini-man-and-high-frame-rate-hfr-is-it-the-new-face-of-cinema/