Being a photographer entails a myriad of things, but one thing is for sure: it means exposing yourself to a lot of photography trends on Instagram, Twitter, and other sites. Nowadays, with the advent of new platforms and optimized short-form content, somehow, the field becomes creatively competitive. Especially with film photography regaining popularity among other creative techniques, one style truly stands out: cinematic photography.
Scrolling through your TikTok for you page or Instagram’s Reels platform exposes you to images that evoke some sense of euphoria, and sometimes also nostalgia. The colors are intentionally pronounced to contrast with the shadows, with the highlights playing beautifully with the image’s exposure. It’s simply alluring. No wonder why everyone wants to try it these days!
Personalizing epicness
Cinematic photography is what exists in between still photography, and motion pictures or movies. It is not about the latest camera gear or the sharpest images, but it’s mostly about emotion, story, and mood. Drawing inspiration from this is simple, because it takes the most mundane of human experiences, such as walking in a grassy field, riding a train, or looking out a window, to making it feel like a scene from Wong Kar Wai’s famed In The Mood for Love (2000), or Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name (2017).
But it still begs the question: Why is cinematic photography so popular today?
The way we see life in our own lens makes us drivers of creativity, because certain elements that we pass by may be uninteresting to some, or a life changer to you. It’s not only about seeing ourselves not as the ones filming it, but as the ones acting in it.
Main Character Syndrome and its role
The Main Character culture is a growing phenomenon among young people alike, it is a tendency to view one’s life as if it’s a movie. The American Psychological Association in 2021 found that social media usage reinforces this mindset, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where stylized, glamour content is favored over unedited documentation.
When you are encouraged to live like the lead actor in your own indie film, of course it makes sense that you’d want your photos to look as if it was shot through an ARRI camera.
This is one major reason why cinematic photography is so popular today, because it satiates the personal and psychological urge to feel seen, significant, and aestheticized.
The departure of TV culture and the shift towards streaming
According to Statista, 80% of global internet users watch online video content regularly, with at least 60% using Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube as their primary platforms. We have spent a decade soaking in the visual grammar and language of cinema: letterboxes, color grading, and bokeh (shallow depth of field). It is no surprise that the way we take photos have started to mimic what we consume and watch on the regular.
Though one thing needs to be stressed: It’s not about imitation. It’s about becoming fluent in the language that cinema communicates with. The reason why cinematic photography sustains its popularity is less about aesthetic value, and more about visual literacy – especially when everyone catches the reference.
Technology and its democratization
Ten years ago, if you wanted to achieve a cinematic look on your photos, it needed DSLRs, specific lenses, and editing knowledge on Adobe Lightroom. Today, most iPhones can now shoot in Pro mode, have multiple lenses, and have readily-available editing apps at one’s disposal. According to Adobe’s Creative Trends report in 2024, 74% of GenZ creators prefer mobile editing because cinematic presets are already available. With this surge in accessibility, came the creative tools to achieve aesthetics.
Nostalgia is better seen in newer cameras
A paradox: Cinematic photography romanticizes the past, but creatives use the newest technologies and latest tools possible. Why is that?
Because again, it is never always about aesthetics. We crave the human feeling, and we try to emulate moments inspired by the movies we love. In an increasingly fast-paced world, adopting a cinematic style in photography allows us to slow things down and savor each frame. The resulting photos, whether warm, grainy, or imperfect, feel deeply poetic. Recent research into analog photography’s resurgence shows how blending film-inspired visuals with digital media fosters emotional connection.
One study on “hybrid analog photography” found that this blend of vintage texture and modern sharing sparks a sense of authenticity and reflective mood, especially among Millennials and Gen Z on social platforms. Considering the effects of the recent pandemic, processing these feelings is very important. Perhaps the reason why cinematic photography is popular today is because it tries to comfort us. It makes the photos – frozen as memories, feel tangible. Even if the memory is not ours.
Branding, identity, and storytelling
Even big brands and corporations are jumping in. A quick look at Apple, Nike, or even cosmetic brand campaigns reveal a deliberate incorporation of cinematic aesthetics. Not only because the product shots are photographed well, you also get how the advertisement is story driven, and incorporates emotion.
This of course is attributed to the shift in consumer behavior. Studies show that advertisements with storytelling have higher chances of brand recall compared to product-centric ads. It is innately human in nature to remember feelings better than material features. This specific shift has also influenced us on how to better present (or market) ourselves. It manifests in the way we do LinkedIn headers, dating profiles, or even Instagram stories. It’s not only about what we’re doing, but it’s also us curating the vibe.
Culture mirrors revolution
People may say that this is just another fad or trend. Some will say that it’s just another aesthetic phase we had with VSCO’s orange-and-teal trend nine years ago. But this is just an oversimplification, and it misses the entire point of the trend itself – to be more genuine in a way that is personal to your taste.
The cinematic look has stuck because it’s not about simple presets, LUTs, or filters, but it’s about uncovering the truth of our expression. It is a visual shorthand for “this meant something.” Whether it is a birthday, a breakup, or just walking home under the warm streetlights, cinematic photography invokes us to say that: even if this feels common or boring, at least it mattered.
And while it is steadily gaining popularity, it has been here for quite a while now. It’s certainly not a fad, and definitely not a passing trend.
What it truly means for all of us
Maybe it’s not that we want to see our lives as movies, maybe we just want our memories to feel like they meant something. That’s what cinematic photography does. It does not just show where we were, or who we were with, but it also captures the quiet moments of “in between” that we oftentimes take for granted: the dappled light that spilled through a window on a late afternoon, the silence of a street after the rain, or the weight of bidding each others’ farewells after graduation.
And that is really why cinematic photography is so popular today. It helps us hold onto the feeling. The feeling that is not embedded in the image, but the feeling and emotion behind it.
