The Cinemagraph – A Hybrid of Still Images & Video

Created by Jamie Beck and Kevin Burg, cinemagraphs combine still images with video to create a hybrid of still photography and film, and a new way of looking and thinking of photography.

In a cinemagraph, a portion of the image is moving while the rest of the photo remains static. All cinemagraphs start out as still photos, manipulated by adding a loop of 10-90 frames of video of part of the subject superimposed over the still image. Usually catching the viewer by surprise. (*Note – best if viewed on a computer not via mobile device)

You could think of them as the flipbooks 2.0, but their application could reshape the landscape of magazine editorials as well as advertising. The development of cinemagraphs highlights the increasing advantage of online magazines over paper publications. Online magazines are increasingly becoming the best medium to accommodate developments in photography and technology as a whole, allowing the incorporation of something like the cinemagraph into future photo editorials as well as online advertising on webpages.

Some of the pictures by Beck and Burg convey both beautiful and an unsettling quality but also providing allure at the same time. They are reminiscent of the famous scene in Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast, where the portrait on the wall has its eyes magically come to life. The cinemagraph technique works best when employing small changes, subtle motion that catches the viewer off guard.

We’re looking forward to more of Jamie Beck and Kevin Burg’s work, and seeing the cinemagraph appear in many mediums and publications as its popularity grows. Check out some more images below.

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