CINEMAGIC™

What’s the difference between a Cinemagraph and Plotagraph? Because a Cinemagraph and Plotagraph are both motion pictures, they are often mistaken as being the same type of creative art. The simplest way to explain the difference between a Cinemagraph and a Plotagraph is the way the content is created. Cinemagraph images come from video footage. Plotagraph images are made from a still photography. These differences between Cinemagraphs and plotagraphs are significant. They impact the artistic direction and visual quality of the final work.

Now that we understand the differences between Cinemagraphs and plotagraphs, the obvious follow-up question is which is better? The best answer is simple and noncommittal—it depends.

A Cinemagraph has a hyper-realistic quality because it retains the visual elements of photograph with a subtle surreal element. The creation of a Cinemagraph is a planned work. It requires understanding your composition both from a cinematic storytelling perspective and from a still photography composition. It’s not an afterthought.

Conversely, any still image can potentially become a plotagraph. This includes old digital images before plotagraphs were possible. Plotagraphs breathe new life into still photography. Plotagraphs can be embrace hyper-surrealism or bring motion back to something that was previously still.

Cinemagraphs and plotagraphs are entirely new genre of photography that require planning for flawless execution. It’s not about which is better. It’s about telling a better story. Whichever approach provides the most engaging narrative is the one I choose.