Comprehensive Guide to Camera Shots, Angles, and Composition Techniques

Establishing Shot (Extreme Long Shot)

A shot that sets up the context for a scene by showing the relationship between its subjects and their environment.

Long Shot

A shot that shows the subject from a distance, providing context and background.

Full Shot

A shot that captures the entire subject from head to toe, often used to show the subject in relation to their surroundings.

¾ Shot

A shot that frames the subject from the knees up, allowing for more detail than a full shot.

Midshot/Medium Shot

A shot that typically frames the subject from the waist up, balancing the subject and the background.

Medium Close Up

A shot that frames the subject from the chest up, emphasizing facial expressions.

Close Up

A shot that tightly frames a subject, often focusing on a face or an object to convey emotion or detail.

Extreme Close Up

A shot that shows a very small detail of the subject, such as an eye or a hand, to create a dramatic effect.

Eye-level

A camera angle that is positioned at the subject's eye level, creating a neutral perspective.

Low Angle

A shot taken from below the subject, making it appear larger or more powerful.

High Angle

A shot taken from above the subject, making it appear smaller or weaker.

Oblique/Dutch Angle/Unbalanced Shot

A shot that is tilted to one side, creating a sense of unease or tension.

Overhead Shot

A shot taken from directly above the subject, providing a unique perspective.

Under Shot

A shot taken from below the subject, often used to create a dramatic effect.

Pan

A horizontal movement of the camera from one side to another.

Arc

A camera movement that circles around the subject, providing a dynamic view.

Whip Pan

A quick pan that creates a blur effect, often used for transitions.

Tracking / Trucking

A camera movement that follows the subject, maintaining a consistent distance.

Dolly

A camera movement that involves moving the camera closer to or further from the subject.

Zoom

A change in the focal length of the lens to make the subject appear closer or further away.

Tilt

A vertical movement of the camera up or down.

Pedestal/Boom

A camera movement that raises or lowers the camera without changing its angle.

POV / Point of View

A shot that shows what a character is seeing, putting the audience in their perspective.

Zolly (Dolly In, Zoom Out)

A technique that combines dolly and zoom to create a disorienting effect.

Tripod Mounted Camera

A camera that is stabilized on a tripod for steady shots.

Handheld Camera

A camera held in the operator's hands, often creating a more intimate or dynamic feel.

Over the Shoulder

A shot taken from behind a character, typically showing the subject they are looking at.

Face to Face

A shot that captures two characters in conversation, emphasizing their interaction.

Two Shot

A shot that includes two subjects in the frame, often used in dialogues.

Over the Head

A shot taken from above the heads of characters, often used in conversations.

Manual Focus

A focus technique where the camera operator adjusts the focus manually.

Depth of Field

The distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp.

Rack Focus / Pull Focus

A technique that shifts the focus from one subject to another within the same shot.

Pyramid

A compositional technique that arranges subjects in a triangular formation to create visual interest.

Rule of Thirds (Lines of Interest)

A compositional guideline that divides the frame into thirds, placing points of interest along these lines.

Symmetry

A compositional technique where elements are balanced on either side of the frame.

Leading Lines

A compositional technique that uses lines to lead the viewer's eye to the main subject.

The space between the top of a subject's head and the top of the frame

Headroom

Noseroom/Talk Space

The space in front of a subject's face that allows for visual breathing room in a shot.

Leadroom

The space in front of a moving subject, allowing for movement within the frame.