Early cinematography certainly had a good footing with the help of the early photography. Judging from the way camera was used, cinematography was considered to be just an extension to the photography, and not a distinct enterprise it is today.
In the “Trip to the Moon” I have noticed a few techniques that were previously used by photographers in the past. Staging was first used by Bayard in “Self-Portrait as a Drowned Man”; set of “before and after” images was used by Thibault in “Revolution of 1848”; double exposure was used in Spirit Photography; backdrop were used by Rejlander in “The Two Ways of Life”.
Besides the technical aspects, both photography and cinematography were similar in the goal they were meant to achieve: entertainment and self-expression. Entertainment in the movie, as well in the photography, for instance in “The Fresh View Agent soliciting”, is achieved by the storyline. The difference is that in the photography, the narrative and its resolution is often left to the imagination of the viewer, while in the movie it is usually expressed. Self-expression… well, that’s another story.
Aside from all similarities, cinematography is very different due to its limitations, as well as possibilities photography can’t offer. Storyline can be extensive, capturing viewer’s attention indefinitely; movie can be as mysterious as a photograph, but more explicit then any still image.
