Camera Techniques

Wide Shot - A shot where the subject takes up the majority of the frame. It also shows the subjects surroundings.

Close Up - In a close up shot, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. It is most commonly used to show detail and emphasise the characters facial expression.

Mid Shot - A shot taken from a medium distance.

Medium close up - A shot that shows the face and shoulders. It is halfway between a mid shot and a close up.

Over the shoulder Shot - This shot is done from behind the shoulder of the person looking at the subject. This is used to indicate the position of each person.

Point-of-view Shot - This camera technique shows a view from the subjects perspective. The subject whose point of view it is is usually made obvious.

Tracking Shot - This type of shot is commonly used to make it seem like the subject is being followed.

Tilt - This is a vertical camera movement in which the camera points up or down from a still position. It is often used to give a character more power than another.

Pan - The panning camera technique is a swivelling camera movement done by moving the camera from left to right, usually on a tripod in a fixed location. A pan is also used to track the subjects movement.