The difference between a videographer and a cinematographer

Introduction

The terms “videographer” and “cinematographer” are often used interchangeably. This is understandable, as both jobs involve working with cameras and telling stories through video. However, there are some important differences between these positions—and it’s important to make sure you hire the right person for your project.

Is it all just semantics? Yes & No.

When you ask someone what they do for a living, they might respond by saying, “Oh! I’m a videographer. I help businesses grow their digital influence by creating high quality, engaging video content for their business.” You could say the same thing about a cinematographer—and for all intents and purposes, these are interchangeable terms. Most people use them in conversation without giving much thought to which is which.

But when you get into the technicalities of each term (which we’ll discuss shortly), there are some differences between cinematography and video production that can affect how good your finished product will look.

The similarities between a “videographer” and a “cinematographer”

Although the differences between videographers and cinematographers are worth noting, there are many similarities between the two. Both videographers and cinematographers are concerned with caputring footage. They also both know how to operate cameras and capture professional footage. Additionally, both are familiar with stabilization equipment such as gimbals and tripods. In short, they both are capable of capturing great video footage!

The differences between a videographer and cinematographer

There are many differences between a videographer and cinematographer. The primary difference is that videographers typically work as a one-man-crew, while cinematographers work more on sets.

When you hire a professional videographer, you can expect them to arrive at your location on time and ready to shoot as soon as they arrive. Most videographers have their own equipment and can quickly set up for an event or create an interesting shot using only one camera, tripod, microphone or lighting setup.

On the other hand, cinematographers usually work on sets capturing footage. They often spend more time setting up shots than actually filming them because they already know what angles they need for different scenes based on the script they’ve read ahead of time (or perhaps even written).

What is a videographer

A videographer typically functions as a one-man crew. Their responsibility is to film events such as weddings, interviews, conferences and other events. The videographer’s primary focus is to capture the essential moments of the event and they rarely have control over how the event unfolds.

For example, you may consider hiring a videographer to film your annual fundraiser event. In this case, the videographer will be responsible for filming the event as it occurs. In this case, it would make sense for them to ask you questions before hand so they know exactly what they need capturing which could result in a better final product.

What is a cinematographer

A cinematographer is a person who works behind the camera during the making of a film. These professionals take more of a creative approach to filming and are commonly associated with movies and short films.

The cinematographer is responsible for making technical and artistic decisions that will effect the outcome of the final image. These include lighting, usage of lenses and cameras, camera movement etc. However, they are not usually involved in editing or post-production activities such as color correction or audio mixing. Post production may require specialized knowledge that some (not all) cinematographers don’t have.

Why it’s important to hire a cinematographer when you need one

• A cinematographer has a much more specific skill set: they know how to tell a story with visuals. This means that their skillset encompasses everything from pre-production to choreographing shots—which often makes them better suited than videographers for creating high quality films with complex narratives. That said, not all cinematographers are great at all of these things: so be sure to check out their portfolio to make sure you higher the right team.

• For example… just ask yourself: is it more important to get the shot or for the composition of each clip to be perfect? Most people would choose the latter because making sure something looks good takes creativity and experience and will ultimately resort in a better final product.

How to determine if you need a videographer or cinematographer on a project.

To help you determine if you need a videographer on your project, ask yourself the following questions:

• First consider whether or not artistic direction is needed.
• Do you want someone to come in with their own vision and create something unique?
• Or do you just want the footage shot with no direction at all?
  
  If no artistic direction is needed, then it’s probably best to hire a videographer. They’ll arrive ready to shoot and able to move with action and capture activities on the go.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there are many cinemtographers who refer to themselves as videographers, and vise versa. The best way to choose your video professional is to look at their portfolio, and their reviews. This is the best way to get a true understanding of their skillset and experience. Of course, if you’re looking for video team in Charlotte, NC, consider us here at Handiwork Media. We won’t disappoint!