Have you ever come across a picture that makes you think, “What movie is that screenshot taken from?” This is the effect that cinematic photography can create on its viewers. There are several debates as to how can one properly label a photograph as cinematic one. If we were to define it in literal terms, cinematic photograph is a frame shot taken directly from a film reel. On the other hand, professional photographers are progressively using the concept of cinematic effects on their digital still photos as well. This makes the picture taken to be as if it were taken from a movie scene.

The effect of cinematic photography enables a photographer to narrate an entire story within a single click.  The picture is so wonderfully captured that you would believe that it was taken from a movie scene you’ve seen before. The most common elements of this effect include de-saturation and black strips across the picture to make it look like it is running in a cinema. The horizontal bars have a great effect on a picture to give it a movie like feel. You can also try this effect on your very own pictures and photographs by adding horizontal black strips on top and bottom of the picture.

To give you an inspiration on this mesmerizing photography effect, here are 30 blockbuster examples of cinematic photography.

1. IMuscle

2. The Job Is Done

3. Man And Pigeons

4. Lost In Thoughts

5. N°5

6. Sunset Over My Street

7. Leaving The Taxi

8. Way Back Home

9. Jurassic Confessions

10. The Day It Happened

11. Sharing Memories

12. The Beginning Of The End

13. Heart Shaped Earrings

14. The Reader And The Geek

15. Touched By The Light

16. Luminous Crosswalk

17. Sixth Sense

18. Hurry Up

19. Foggy Jogging

20. The Fancy Scarf

21. The First Snowflakes

22. Skateboarder Take-off

23. I’m Sick Of These Two

24. Quality Meat

25. Her Footprints

26. There Are Mornings

27. Her Umbrella

28. Minstrel On Stilts

29. This Is How Rumors Start

30. Better Watch Out