Cinematography is the art and technology of motion-picture photography.

A motion-picture camera essentially consists of a body, a film-transport system, lenses, shutter, and a viewing-focusing system.

It involves such techniques as the general composition of a scene; the lighting of the set or location; the choice of cameras, lenses, filters, and film stock; the camera angle and movements; and the integration of any special effects. All these concerns may involve a sizable crew on a feature film, headed by a person variously known as the cinematographer, first cameraman, lighting cameraman, or director of photography, whose responsibility is to achieve the photographic images and effects desired by the director.