A comparison between the modern techniques of film making and those used in the initial days of movie making where most of the pictures were black and white, and had no sound. Along with the development of technology and various creative techniques used in filmmaking, cinematography has become highly sophisticated and occupies the significant position in the modern filmmaking process. 

The late 19th century saw the complexity of the filmic medium move from shadow play and brief sequences of moving imagery into more profound forms of narrative. The first films were very short, usually no longer than a minute or so because the cameras and the stock of films at that time were not very advanced. Technique of filming during these earlier silent films was raw where cameras were fixed and there was no attempt at using artificial light. Many movies were made either in the presence of sun or else light was used which was coming from natural sources. They could not use any special lenses or filters as they were not available during the production of the film. However, some early directors like Méliès had to make do with intricate workarounds and transitions to bring audiences into the world of magic.

New technologies in film equipment which began in early 1900s saw cinematographers have their creative freedom in some level. Circle cameras enabled them to track and pan, thus giving an opportunity to use different camera positions and movement. Film formats also diversified which enabled longer movies to be produced. Lights actually allowed the cinematographers to either filter natural light or to make a particular source directional. In German cinema, there is a lot of play and breaking of the rules when it came to the dramatic use of light as well as silhouettes. Measured films provided moods and signified shifts in emotions. Shots with focus on the actor face allowed people to enjoy actor feelings and small facial gestures. Yet, most of the cinematography was still rather rudimentary, and it was unusual for cameras to pan within scenes.

The simultaneous use of sound in 1927 in The Jazz Singer changed the face of movies. The complicated technology challenges of early filmmakers included how to prevent the loud camera from jamming the synchronized sound. While there were heavy cameras that were in sound proof booths and mobile movements were very limited. Crane shots were reduced almost to nothing as cameras remained restricted to stages for sound. Stylistic approach to cinematography replaced by static movements and low camera positions to provide sufficient acoustics. Nonetheless, the process advanced steadily in the 1930s due to improvements in cameras, microphones and booms that allowed for more freedom in terms of camera movement. On high-budget feature films, studios had strict discretion over the creative vision, and thus films had very polished cinematic aesthetic.

The period from the late 1930s up to the 1950s is referred to be great age of cinema. Mainstream Hollywood’s technical skills and creative freedom led to brilliant movies such as Citizen Kane and gone with the wind. Citizen Kane by Gregg Toland was done in a deep focus that captured both foreground and background with clear and equal detail. Some techniques of using colour film reactions gave deep intensive and contrasted pictures. Advanced innovations such as lightweight cameras and ‘dolly’ facilitated the complex camera movements, tracking and tilted shots, swooping cranes and other movement features. A stronger and more close relationship between cinematographers and directors in the late 1940s meant that the cinematographers were able to give the genre films such as the film noir crime dramas and the lavish musicals distinct visual looks.

As a result, the subsequent decades of the 1960s through the 1980s witnessed more enhancements in the evolution of color films and the use of widescreen formats. Movies such as Star Wars and E. T. showcased techniques of special effects which were unimaginable in the earlier years. Low-angle shots were achieved to give a superhero feel to the movie. The ability to zoom and focus was possible with the help of zoom lenses that made quick shifts of focal lengths. The availability of infrared and low light proved to be a benefit when filming at night. Video assist technologies allow cinematographers to give feedback as soon as the shot has been taken. The practical effects and lighting that were characteristic of the era, however, gradually started falling behind due to the introduction of digital effects later in the era.  

The early nineties brought exemplary digital cinematography revolution that still exists up to date. Traditional 35mm film continued to be the most common acquisition format of features to be theatrically released, while the digital video entered through the back door with the relatively cheaper production route. These initial problems with resolution, dynamic range, and editing left the digital cinematographers to explore those technical limitations. Use movies such as The Blair Witch Project (1999) to illustrate why digital cameras had a specific aesthetic looked in movies. By the 2000’s digital cameras were also advancing and computer based editing programs were becoming faster and more efficient. The quality of the digital formats by the late 2000s’ were at par with 35mm film, and thus both digital and film camera were given leveled play field with major movies.

However, cinematographers are now privileged with great versatility when plotting out designs and methodology. They might choose to recreate the looks of films made in past years or they could push the limits with the technology that generations before them could only imagine. Digital sensor sizes as large as 8K x 4K, fine-grained color correction of the digital image, virtual post-production effects, aerial photography, complex robotic equipment, virtual shooting technologies, high shooting rates of 120, 360° cameras, 3D shooting, and innovations such as IMAX 15/70 shooting provide almost boundless creative freedom. Top-notch motion picture cameramen are also assisting pave way for laser projection, holo graphics and auto-stereoscopic 3D technologies likely to transform theatrical entertainment in the next decades. From silent one-reel movies to the contemporary Avatar 2 films that create worlds, cinematography remains a fine art of crafting and a fine technical skill that involves painting moving pictures with talent by combining concepts and ideas and technology to give life to the magic of movies.