The establishing shot sets up the scene. It is a long shot that can go great distances, indicating the location and time of day.

Establishing Shot

A wide shot is also referred to as a long shot typically shows the full length of a character or an object and the intention is to relate the object/character to the background

Wide shot

Crane shots are usually taken by a camera placed on a crane, mainly used to view the actors from above or to move away from them drawing more attention to the setting. A common way to end a film.

Crane Shot

The aerial shot/ bird’s eye view is taken from an elevated view of the setting from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird.

Aerial Shot / Birds eye view

A close up is the type of shot that which tightly frames the object/ character. Close ups display great detail but they do not include the broader scene.

Close Up

An extreme development of the close up, generally magnifying beyond what the human eye would experience. An extreme close-up of a face, for instance, would show only the mouth or eyes.

Extreme Close Up

This is a shot were we see what the actor sees through their own eyes, identification or sympathy with the viewer or a sense of discomfort or tension if the point of view is hostile.

Point of view

This is a shot were we see what the actor sees, but not through their own eyes. This puts the viewer in the scene, but as an accomplice to the action.

Over the shoulder

A two shot consists of two characters in a frame. This helps show the relationship between them. Often used in game shows and even interviews.

Two Shot

This is a technique used where one character is shown looking at another character, and the other character is looking back. Since the characters are shown facing opposite directions, the audience assumes they are looking at each other

Shot reverse shot

Panning includes pivoting the camera horizontally. The camera is mounted, meaning in a fixed location. Should not be confused with the tracking shot.

Pan

A movement which scans a scene vertically, otherwise similar to a pan.

Tilts

A technique where the camera looks down on the subject from a high angle. In film, they can make the scene more dramatic. The character looks vulnerable.

High angle shot

This shot looks up at the action from below, an inferior position, the observer is vulnerable, weak and lower in status.

Low angle shot

This is when the camera gets closer to or moves away from the action in a very quick movement. This can suggest surveillance and intense observation.

Zoom/reverse zoom