Cinematography

Camera Shots

Establishing Shot

 A shot at the very beginning of a scene showing the audience the setting in which the action is about to take place.

Wide Shot

In this shot the character/subject(s) are fully visible and take up the entire frame. It's not as wide and open as an establishing shot. It's used to let the audience clearly see the character and the environment around it. Essentially almost the same to a Long Shot.

Medium Shot

The shot that utilizes the most common framing in movies shows less than a long shot, more than a close-up. Focuses more on the character than environment. They show a general overview of the character and are often used to prepare the audience before using a close up or an extreme close up.

Medium Close-Up

Slightly closer than a medium shot but further away than a close up. Used to show the face but not to the point it's uncomfortably close.

Close Up

Only actors face and head is visible, focuses on facial expressions and is used to generate interest, action, suspense, etc.

Extreme Close-Up

These shots now take the camera even closer to the subject and we are now focussing on a particular feature or detail of interest. These are used for added suspense or to draw your audience’s attention to a specific detail in a scene.

Over the shoulder Shot

Framed behind the person who is looking at a different subject/character. The person facing away from the camera usually takes up about 1/3 of the frame. This shot is used helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.