Impact Of Digital Cinematography On Craftsmanship

Abstract

As rightly said by Jean Luc Godard, “Cinema is truth at 24 frames per second” which means technology is inseparable from cinema. When cinema was invented in late nineteenth century, the moving images were recorded on celluloid strips. This practice continued for over hundred years, though there were intermittent technological advancements. However, within the past two decades, the celluloid has completely been out thrown by digital media and computer algorithms. Cinema as a medium has been metamorphosed altogether to a new generation. Today, there are no more celluloid nor does the camera department requires light tight chambers to change their stocks. Camera equipments and laboratories worth millions have completely been absolute. However, has it fundamentally impacted the process of motion picture photography? Has it altered the artistic imagination, crafty contributions or technical abilities of the people practising cinematography? This paper categorically aims to explore the ways in which the role of cinematographer and his visual creating abilities have been influenced due to the emergence of digital cinematography. It attempts to analyse changes in work flow, craftsmanship and challenges that have been arrived due to the above mentioned technological migration. This paper also explores the new scopes and possibilities which have emerged in this new digital visual domain.