We’ll break down all the camera shots and angles you need to know for your next film. We also include camera shot examples from famous movies to help solidify the discussed concepts.
What is a camera shot?
A camera shot is composed of the series of frames that are shot uninterrupted from the moment the camera starts rolling until it stops. Camera shots are an essential aspect of filmmaking and video productions, because by combining different types of shots, angles and camera movements, the filmmakers are able to emphasize specific emotions, ideas and movement for each scene.
TYPES OF CAMERA SHOTS — THE SHOT SIZE
Camera Shot Size Overview …
Below you’ll find a shot size cheatsheet to see exactly how different shot sizes will look on screen, and how to differentiate the various shot sizes:
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHOTS
- Extreme Wide Shot (ELS)
- Long Shot (LS) / Wide Shot (WS)
- Full Shot (FS)
- Medium Long Shot (MLS) / Medium Wide Shot (MWS)
- Cowboy Shot
- Medium Shot (MS)
- Medium Close Up (MCU)
- Close Up (CU)
- Extreme Close Up (ECU)
- Establishing Shot .
Extreme Long Shot (ELS) or Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
An extreme long shot (or extreme wide shot) make your subject appear small against their location. You can use an extreme long shot to make your subject feel distant or unfamiliar.
Take a look at this extreme wide shot from one of the best action movies.
It can also make your subject feel overwhelmed by its location. Of all the various camera shots out there, consider using the extreme long shot when you need to emphasize the location or isolation. It can also make your subject feel overwhelmed by its location. Of all the various camera shots out there, consider using the extreme long shot when you need to emphasize the location or isolation.
Long Shot (LS) or Wide Shot (WS)
The long shot (also known as a wide shot, abbreviated “WS”) is the same idea, but a bit closer. If your subject is a person then his or her whole body will be in view — but not filling the shot. Here’s an example of the wide shot size from one of the best 2015
In other words, there should be a good deal of space above and below your subject. Use a long shot (or wide shot) to keep your subject in plain view amidst grander surroundings.
The wide shot also lets us see the beautiful background imagery, as well as the onlookers which will make any big moment more cinematic.
Of the many camera shots, a long shot gives us a better idea of the scene setting, and gives us a better idea of how the character fits into the area.
Full Shot (FS)
Now let’s talk about camera shots that let your subject fill the frame while keeping emphasis on scenery. .
This full shot from one of the best Quentin Tarantino movies Django Unchained is also a tracking shot — meaning there is camera movement featured throughout the shot. In this particular case, the camera slowly moves (or tracks) towards Django. So, technically, this shot begins in a wide shot, moves to full shot (seen above), and eventually ends in a cowboy shot.
Of all the different types of camera shots in film, full shots can be used to feature multiple characters in a single shot, like this full shot size.
Medium Wide Shot (MWS)
A medium long shot (aka medium long shot) frames the subject from roughly the knees up. It splits the difference between a full shot and a medium shot. Here’s an example of the medium wide shot size from one of the best crime movies, The Usual Suspects:
You can always frame camera shots from any angle as well, so don’t be afraid to think about medium long shots when behind a character.
Cowboy Shot (CS)
A variation on this is the Cowboy Shot, which frames the subject from roughly mid-thighs up. It’s called a “cowboy shot” because it is used in Westerns to frame a gunslinger’s gun or holster on his hip. Here’s an example of the cowboy shot size from one of the best movies ..Here is an example of a cowboy shot that’s used in a film that has nothing to do with cowboys, and it’s also a “three shot”:
Medium Shot (MS)
Let’s move onto camera shots that reveal your subject in more detail.
The medium shot is one of the most common camera shots. It’s similar to the cowboy shot above, but frames from roughly the waist up and through the torso. So it emphasizes more of your subject while keeping their surroundings visible. Here’s an example of the medium shot size from one of the best superhero.
Medium shots may seem like the most standard camera shot around, but every shot size you choose will have an effect on the viewer. A medium shot can often be used as a buffer shot for dialogue scenes that have an important moment later that will be shown in a close-up shot.
If you don’t use all of the different types of camera shots in film, how can you signal anything to your viewer without shot size contrast.
Medium Close Up Shot (MCU)
The medium close-up frames your subject from roughly the chest up. So it typically favors the face, but still keeps the subject somewhat distant.
Here’s an example of the medium close-up shot size from one of the Coen Brothers’ masterpieces No.The medium close-up camera shot size keeps the characters eerily distant even during their face-to-face conversation..
Close Up (CU)
You know it’s time for a close-up shot when you want to reveal a subject’s emotions and reactions. The close-up camera shot fills your frame with a part of your subject. If your subject is a person, it is often their face. Here’s an example of the close-up shot size:Of all the different types of camera shot sizes in film, a close-up is perfect for important moments. The close-up shot size is near enough to register tiny emotions, but not so close that we lose visibility.
Extreme Close Up (ECU)
An extreme close-up is the most you can fill a frame with your subject. It often shows eyes, mouth and gun triggers. In extreme close-up shots, smaller objects get great detail and are the focal point.
Use an ECU to emphasize a specific feature of your subject:Visionary filmmaker, Darren Aronofsky uses various degrees of close-ups in his work, like in one of his best films Black Swan. In this extreme close-up, we see that her transformation happens quite literally. Aronofsky uses the extreme close up shot size to show feathers growing in Nina’s back.Extreme close-ups can be used in many different film genres, which includes comedy as well. Here’s an ECU example:
It all starts with an establishing shot
An establishing shot is a shot at the head of a scene that clearly shows us the location of the action. This shot often follows an aerial shot and is used to show where everything will happen.
Consider the following examples:.
We cover a lot of shot specs in this post, but don’t worry. You don’t need to memorize everything in this post. If you use StudioBinder when shot listing, all these specs are listed as checkboxes for easy selection.
This allows you to focus on creativity rather than spending effort attempting to recall shot jargon or retyping acronyms 5000 times.
Camera Shot Size Summary
How you choose to frame your subject will have a specific impact. How close or far your subject is to your camera — your shot size — will underscore how the audience should feel about it (or them).
Your subject will appear smallest in a long shot (or wide shot). They will be larger in a medium shot and largest in a close-up shot.Here is a shot list with every shot size organized from wide to near:….Please Read carefully practice on your smart mobile ..on mobile take use this and take photos and video…
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