Shot Types

Shot types
-
Cinematography

The art of photography and camerawork in film-making.

-

Extreme long shot (XLS)

• Covers wide area.
• Shows the whole subject and it's surroundings.
• Gives context for your scene.

Long shot (LS)

• Shows the whole subject from head to toes.
• The focus is the subject but the environment is also visible.
• It's used to show action instead of emotion.

Medium long shot (MLS)

• Shows the whole subject from the knees up.
• It's an intermediate shot between the long shot and the medium shot.
• Shows the subject and they're surroundings.
• It can be used when they have 2 or 3 people in the frame.

Medium shot (MS)

• Shows the subject from the waist up.
• Normally used during interviews.
• Directs the viewer to the subject.

Medium close-up (MCU)

• Shows the subject's head and cuts off around mid-chest.
• The focus is on the subject.
• Shows very little of the subject's surroundings.
• It shows the facial expressions of the subject.
• Normally used in interviews in documentaries and new programs.

Close-up (CU)

• Frames the subject's face and its off mid-neck, revealing the face and entire head.
• The subject fills almost the entire frame.
• Captures facial expressions and emotions.

Extreme close-up (ECU)

• Shows just the person's facial features.
• Frames only a portion of the subject.
• Used to show the person's emotions.

High camera angle

• A cinematic technique where the camera is looking down on the subject.
• Used to show vulnerability of the subject when applied with the current mood, setting, and effects.
• Makes a scene more dramatic.

Low camera angle

• When the camera is positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eyeliner.
• This angle is typically used to show the subject as being powerful and strong.

Dutch camera angle

• When the camera is set at an angle on it's roll axis.
• Used to portray psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being filmed.