Cinematography vs. Videography: Understanding the Key Differences

The terms cinematography and videography are often used interchangeably. After all, they both involve using a camera to capture footage. 

But in truth, cinematographers and videographers have two very different jobs, each requiring its own set of skills, tools and processes. More importantly, they have two different end goals. 

Let’s explore the key differences between cinematography and videography, so you can understand which one is better suited for you and your creative projects. 

Cinematography is the art of visual storytelling. A cinematographer has full control over what happens in front of the camera and can manipulate it in order to tell a story. This may involve using video lighting equipment, multiple camera angles and shooting several takes until the scene looks just right. 

Cinematography is used in TV and film production, as well as shorter media like commercials and music videos. It’s an artistic process that starts with a vision and requires creative planning and decision-making. 

Videography is the process of capturing footage with the goal of documenting a real-life situation. Unlike with cinematography, a videographer has no control over what they’re shooting. In other words, they don’t choose what story their footage tells or how it’s being told. 

A videographer can still use tools and techniques to make their footage look “cinematic,” but they typically only have one chance to capture it, so they focus more on being at the right place at the right time. 

Videography is usually done by a single person or a very small crew. They document things like live events, interviews, concerts and weddings.

Let’s take a look at the differences between cinematography and videography in more detail. 

Cinematography is usually associated with a larger production scale. Although there are plenty of independent films made by small crews using nothing but an iPhone or DSLR camera, most cinematography projects are much more involved. 

On a film set, you can usually find multiple high-end video cameras, tripods, steadicams and dollies, as well as complex lighting and sound recording setups. Since someone needs to operate each piece of equipment, production teams tend to have a few dozen crew members. Key roles include:

In contrast, videography is typically a one-person job. The videographer sets up and manages the equipment, operates the camera, adjusts focus and ensures that the footage looks good. Occasionally, they may rely on an assistant or a small team for help. 

Videographers need to be able to film footage on the go, so their setup has to be quite minimal and easy to carry. Most use a handheld camera and a gimbal to reduce camera shake. If an external monitor, additional lighting or sound recording tools are used, they’re usually small and can be mounted onto the camera or camera cage. 

With cinematography, the goal is to bring a story to life. The production’s director has a very specific vision and knows exactly what they want to see on screen.

The cinematographer's job, then, is to execute the director’s vision by following a storyboard and carefully crafting the composition and visual style of each shot. They choose which cameras and lenses should be used, and make decisions about lighting, angles and camera movements. They work closely with the director to ensure that all of these artistic decisions help create just the right atmosphere and capture the story’s essence.

With videography, the goal is to document action in real-time. The videographer may have some idea of the visual style they want to achieve or a request from the client for a particular look and feel. But for the most part, they have autonomous control over the art direction of their projects. They make creative decisions on the go based on what’s happening in front of the camera at any given moment. 

The technical aspects of cinematography and videography are similar—both require a solid understanding of video production, including how to use filmmaking equipment, capture footage, compose shots and use natural and artificial lighting. However, there are also skills that are unique to each profession. 

For cinematographers, collaboration is a vital part of the job. They have to maintain constant communication with the production’s director and try to find common ground. At the same time, they have to manage their own film crew, give them directions and find creative solutions to unexpected problems. 

On the other hand, the most important skill for videographers is agility. They only have one chance to capture the footage in the best way, so they have to be able to move quickly, react to what’s happening and make decisions on the fly. 

Lastly, cinematography and videography differ in their post-production processes. 

A cinematographer doesn’t handle editing the footage—a dedicated film editor does this. They assemble the scenes and incorporate special effects, music and other sound to create a cohesive production. The video editing process involves many different teams and, for a motion picture of standard length, can take up to a few months. 

Videography projects tend to be much shorter in length—often just a few minutes long—so videographers tend to do their own editing. Depending on their workload, they may hire another video editor to help. Editing usually involves splicing video footage, color grading, and adding music and sound effects. These projects often have quick turnaround times and need to be delivered back to the client within a few days. Some wedding videographers can even shoot the ceremony and present the final product at the reception just a few hours later! 

As you can see, cinematography and videography are two entirely different jobs. One is not better than the other, they just accomplish two different things. 

If you’re not sure which route to take for your creative video projects (or your career!), simply ask yourself what your goals are. If you want to bring stories to the screen and carefully craft every aspect of how they’re presented, then cinematography is for you. On the other hand, if you like the idea of documenting the world around you, then videography might suit you better.

They’re both challenging but rewarding in their own ways!