Shot Types

 Shot Types

Composition:

Composition refers to the way elements of a scene are arranged in the frame. Shot composition refers to the arrangement of visual elements to convey an intended message.

Camera Shot:

A camera shot is composed of the series of frames that are shot from the moment the camera starts filming until it stops. Camera shots make up the basis of a frame's content at any given point in a film or other video.

By combining different types of shots, angles and camera movements, filmmakers are able to emphasise specific emotions, ideas and movement for each scene.

Shot Types:

Extreme Wide Shot:

Makes the subject appear small against their location. They are used to make the subject feel distant or unfamiliar, as well as being used for establishing the location of the scene.

Long Shot:

The subject's whole body is in view, but does not fill the shot. There is a decent amount of space above and below the subject. It is used to show more of the subject while still having emphasis on the scene around the subject, giving a better idea of the setting and how the subject fits into it.

Full Shot:

Full shots allow the subject to fill the frame without removing the emphasis on the subject's surroundings. The entire of the subject is in view with empty space above their head and below their feet. Full shots can also be used to feature multiple characters in a single shot (note there is plenty of space either side of the subject.)

Medium Wide Shot / Cowboy shot

The gap between a full shot and a medium shot, the medium wide shot films the subject from the knees up. It is also known as a cowboy shot because it is often used in western films to frame a gunslinger's gun or holster on their hip.

Medium Shot:

A medium shot is one of the most common camera shots. It frames the subject from the waist up. This is used to show more detail on the subject while still keeping the background clearly visible.

Medium Close Up:

A medium close-up frames the subject from the chest up. This particularly favours showing more detail on the face of the subject without being too jarring with a close-up.

Close-up:

A close-up shot fills the frame with a single aspect of a person, most commonly their face. This is used to emphasise the subject's emotions or reactions to something.

Extreme Close Up:

An extreme close up is the most you can fill a frame with subject. It often shows only the eyes, mouth or the trigger of a gun. The focus of the shot is a smaller object in great deal