cinematographer

American  

[sin-uh-muh-tog-ruh-fer] / ˌsɪn ə məˈtɒg rə fər /

especially British, cinematographist

noun

1. a person whose profession is video photography, especially for feature-length movies.

2. director of photography.

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Etymology

Origin of cinematographer

First recorded in 1895–1900; cinematograph + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Valentina Vee, 33, a director and cinematographer based in Los Angeles, posted a thread on X speculating on the show’s lighting setup based on scrutiny of images she could find online from behind the scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The 46-year-old Arkapaw, who lives in Altadena with her husband, cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, is of Filipino and Creole descent.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

"Train Dreams" was filmed in Washington state and has so far won several prizes during Hollywood's awards season, especially for cinematographer Adolpho Veloso.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Actor Alison Oliver, who appeared in “Saltburn,” plays Isabella Linton, Edgar’s ward who becomes a problematic fixation for Heathcliff, and the filmmaker reteamed with cinematographer Linus Sandgren, production designer Suzie Davies and editor Victoria Boydell.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

A writer, like a cinematographer, manipulates the viewer’s perspective on an ongoing story, with the verbal equivalent of camera angles and quick cuts. the marital, the medical, and sometimes both at once.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker