Camera Shots

I have looked into various types of camera shots that are used in everyday media and stated ways in which they are used.

Extreme close-up: A picture at such a close range that it emphasises the smallest amount of details, magnifying beyond what the human eye would be able to see in reality. E.g. the sweat trickling down a characters face.

Close Up. This shot will usually show the characters face as well as his shoulders, it’s also effective at showing facial emotions.

Medium Shot: This type of shot shows a character usually from the waist up and can be effective in dialogue or action scenes.

Two Shot: When two characters are present in the shot.

Long Shot: In this shot we can usually see the whole of the characters frame as well as the background.

Extreme Long Shot: This is similar to the long shot but from further away, can be effective to show the setting.

Panning Shot:  This is like the long shot but it shifts in a given direction, again useful to show setting.

Arc: The shot involves the camera rotating around the character as the character remains idol.

Tilt: Similar to the panning shot but the cameras direction of movement must be vertical.

Point of View Shot: A shot portrayed to the viewer through the eyes of the character in question.

Track: When the camera is mounted on tracks so it can move, used in scenes such as car chases.

Zoom in: The picture changes from a long shot into more of a close up showing full range of movement.

Zoom out: The picture changes from a close up into a more of a long shot showing full range of movement.

Crane: When the camera is mounted onto a crane, giving the viewer a shot of the setting at an almost god like angle. Useful for a third person view.

Aerial: Similar to the crane shot, usually taken from a helicopter. The advantages are that it can go anywhere and keep up with anything, as well as move in and out of a scene.  Useful in order to establish setting and movement.