A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Types of Camera Shots

THE CLOSE-UP (CU)
THE CLOSE-UP (CU)

Close Up (CU) In the closeup shot, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face (unless specified otherwise). Close-ups are obviously useful for showing detail and can also be used as a cut-in. A close-up of a person emphasizes their emotional state.

THE DOLLY ZOOM
THE DOLLY ZOOM

Dolly zoom effect can be seen in the big video, while in the smaller the camera does not zoom, and the object moves with the camera. The FOV does not change; thus there is no dolly effect The dolly zoom is an in-camera effect that appears to undermine normal visual perception.

THE ESTABLISHING SHOT
THE ESTABLISHING SHOT

CAMERA SHOT DEFINITION; Establishing Shot: This is a cell used solely to convey setting and position in the story. Establishing shots commonly open a film, or transition the plot to a different location. Full Shot: This is a zoomed in version of the establishing shot, usually showing an important character or object.

THE EXTREME CLOSE-UP (XCU)
THE EXTREME CLOSE-UP (XCU)

The ECU (also known as XCU) gets right in and shows extreme detail. You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes. A variation of this shot is the choker.

THE HIGH ANGLE SHOT
THE HIGH ANGLE SHOT

High camera angles... specifically the high-angle camera angle, shows the subject from above but... Not precisely overhead, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject but the shot itself is not at a great height or an aerial view.

image: nyfa.edu
THE LOW ANGLE SHOT
THE LOW ANGLE SHOT

In cinematography, a low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up. Sometimes, it is even directly below the subject's feet.

THE MEDIUM SHOT (MS)
THE MEDIUM SHOT (MS)

Cowboy Shot (aka American Shot) A variation of a Medium Shot, this gets its name from Western films from the 1930s and 1940s, which would frame the subject from mid-thighs up to fit the character’s gun holsters into the shot. Medium Shot Shows part of the subject in more detail. For a person, a medium shot typically frames them from about waist up. This is one of the most common shots seen in films, as it focuses on a character (or characters) in a scene while still showing some environment.

THE OVER-THE-SHOULDER SHOT
THE OVER-THE-SHOULDER SHOT

This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame. This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.