Visual storytelling is one of the oldest art forms that has ever existed. Even before sound became part of films, we had silent films, which relied completely on storytelling through cinematography, camera, lighting, and much more. These are true as far back as you can go in the history of filmmaking. Cinematography has played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of storytelling and especially visual aesthetics in film history. Collectively, as a society, we may never forget the impact The Godfather had as a cultural phenomenon with its iconic cinematography. Gordon Willis and Francis Ford Coppola went back and forth on the look of the film, and at the end, they got an iconic use of black and shadows that is cemented in our minds.
Cinematography is the art and technique of capturing moving images on film or digitally with various elements such as camera movement, framing, lighting, and composition to create visually compelling scenes that capture different emotions without relying too much on dialogue or sound. It’s a complex art that allows filmmakers to shape their stories, enhance visual storytelling, and engage viewers in a dance of emotions, in and out of the theatre.
It is also a powerful tool to evoke a wide range of emotions from the audience. At the core of this craft lies the psychology of cinematography, which is a fascinating intersection of film theory, cognitive science, and emotional engagement. (but more on that later)
The Basics of Cinematography
First, let’s understand the backbone of any film. Cinematography carefully crafts a movie scene-by-scene at every stage, giving it its essence, mood, and undertones. Setting the stage for a perfect story, one shot at a time. Some of the core elements of a scene include camera angles, movement, framing, lighting, and even composition. While lighting is often used to guide the viewer’s eyes, draw attention to a specific part of the film, or add dramatic effects, composition is used to make the film appear realistic and visually balanced. It enhances the feel and aesthetic of the film.
The same can be seen in the iconic The Grand Budapest Hotel. One of the best-known films for its incredible cinematography, shot by Robert Yeoman, this Wes Anderson movie fluctuates between the surreal and the real. This composition is based on a balance between the complex moves, sets, and engaging visual elements throughout its runtime. And performances are an added bonus.
Visual effects and editing also enhance the narrative, but it is the camera angles that keep the audience hooked. They play a major role in holding the audience’s attention, scene after scene, building suspense or adding moments of vulnerability. They are designed to aid dialogues and plots, from the character’s state of mind to their relationship with the other characters in the scene.
Camera angles can even build the character persona in the mind of the audience, and through storytelling, change and grow it into something more. Like in the hit HBO show The Penguin, it isn’t until the climax of the season, when he has reached his desired status, that the camera follows him at eye level. The moment he does, he is does, he is above us all, the audience, and other characters, when the camera begins to look up at him. It is also consistent in other shows where Penguin is played by Colin Farrell.
Cinematography as a Narrative Tool
Using different camera techniques to reveal character perspectives and inner emotions is what often guides the story and the character’s journey in a subtle way. While composition is about how various elements of a scene are arranged within the frame, capturing a perfect shot, it is primarily about drawing the audience’s eye to the most important details. Lighting also plays an important role in doing something similar. It can establish time, mood, and atmosphere, but different filters and palettes can evoke different emotions throughout the films. Horror films have certain tones, while period pieces have another; these, too, fall in lighting and framing.
Framing is the process of deciding what to include or not include in a shot. When focusing on specific details, it can also show relationships between characters and the things around them. Camera movement adds a storytelling rhythm to the changes in shots and scenes; otherwise, it would just feel like a visual window dragging us through locations. Different types of camera movements, from pans, tilts, tracking shots, handheld, steadicam, or drones they all have their own way of moving the story forward.
Camera angles also tell stories differently. While a low angle creates a sense of power, a high angle can convey vulnerability, and a pan shows a wider view, taking us away from the scene. The pace of these movements also impacts the emotional intensity
Collaboration Between Cinematographer and Director
The only way a cinematographer, also known as the director of photography, D.P., can bring the vision to life is through great communication about the story and its emotional beats with the director. That is one of the first things the two have to sit through, long before production even begins. During pre-production, as the budgets, location scouting, and production design teams work through their tasks, so do the cinematographers. Translating screenplay ideas and directorial intent into visual language is an art form in its own, and it includes coordination with not just the director but also the production designer. Balancing technical constraints with creative goals is what brings out the vision of the director.
Directors often choose to work with the same DPs over and over again to control the way the films turn out when in print. The more a duo works together, the more they can work out the best way to bring the vision to life. J. J. Abrams has worked with Dan Mindel on several Star Trek films, along with one Mission Impossible film as well. The iconic duo of Wes Anderson and Robert Yeoman gave us some of the best films, like The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014, Academy Award nomination), The French Dispatch (2021), and Asteroid City (2023).
Cinematography’s Impact on Audience Emotion
Films have the power to make us laugh, cry, feel suspense, or experience a sense of awe and wonder. This emotional engagement is achieved through a combination of visual storytelling and character development. To enhance the emotional impact of cinematography, DPs often explore the use of emotional color palettes. It can be a powerful tool when trying to evoke different emotional responses, even color grading, depth of the shot, framing, and lighting all act together to build the psychology behind a specific intended emotional response. Twilight Saga’s New Moon explored it best during the scene where Bella can be seen sitting in the same chair as the seasons pass by. While a lot of it has to do with post-production and the VFX, the color grading and lighting for Bella’s filming is what makes it real and believable, evoking sympathy or rage in some cases.
The psychology of cinematography plays a significant role in shaping the viewer’s expectations within different cinematic styles. The use of long takes and minimal editing in slow cinema for dramas often creates a sense of contemplation and immersion. Rapid editing and dynamic camera movements are what draw the audience in in action films, evoking a sense of excitement and adrenaline. Thriller movies focus on the use of high contrast, unconventional camera angles, and romantic films often use soft, warm lighting, with close-ups of facial expressions. While these have been used for ages, there are many filmmakers who come up with different techniques through experimentation that leave the audience in awe. The choice of cinematic style greatly influences how the audience perceives and emotionally responds to the story being told.
As audiences, we may not always consciously notice these technical decisions, yet they profoundly influence our emotional journey through a film—turning scripts into visceral experiences. The collaborations between directors and cinematographers become the foundation for iconic images, memorable moods, and powerful narratives that endure beyond the screen.
