Cinematography

The field of cinematography has been one of the most beloved art forms in modern history. For over a hundred years the motion picture has been a staple of entertainment throughout the world. The motion picture itself began modestly only to be transformed into a revolutionary phenomenon. This article shall explore the history and transformation of Cinematography from its early origins to its modern day incarnations in major motion pictures. It will also take a look into how the technology itself works. By looking into the nature of the science behind cinematography we can understand how it has been improved upon.

The beginning of cinematography starts in in 1873 when a man named Eadweard Muybridge filmed his horse in full motion sequence. Several years later a French scientist named Etienne-Jules Marey improved this technique. Mr. Marey was able to make the pictures sequence better while they were in motion. By the early 1890’s people had begun to applying these earlier methods of motion sequence capture to entertainment. Already by the late 1890’s there were film studios set up for basic films to be shot. As the 1900’s dawned film studios and motion pictures were fast becoming a common form of entertainment with simple black and white pictures silent films.

When the 1920’s began and the World War had ended cinema began to blossom in full and has not slowed but only increased. As cinematography improved in the 20’s and 30’s major motion pictures developed with numerous genres of films. All kinds of films developed depicting everything from the Wild West to comedies starring rising stars like Charlie Chaplin. As film developed there was better means of capturing light in the film process allowing color pictures. Another major development was the ability to capture sound alongside the picture that allowed the transition from silent film to audible film. As film science developed so too did the special effects and quality of sets and props from the 1960’s-1980’s a major revolution in motion picture stunts and special effects took place and many movies that remain classics to this day due to their revolutionary nature were produced in this time such as Star Wars.

Now as computerized special effects are being better developed every decade new improvements are being made in cinematography and the industry surrounding it expands. All across the world on every continent in every country there is cinema. Many nations even have their own major film industries with major productions in the works. The future of cinematography looks to be as bright as its past due to the whole world having taken up this art form and bringing their own special take on the motion picture.