Demonstrating Different Shot Types

Demonstrating Different Shot Types

Shot types are important to moving image/photography. They help the audience to depict what is in the scene and the knowledge the director wants them to understand. There are various different shot types in the media, most of these have been demonstrated in the video above. I will discuss the importance of particular shot types below:

Close up - Often used in portraits/scenes to show the emotion of the subject, allows a personal engagement with the audience. Close ups are also used on items that often contain significance to the project.

Extreme long shot (can also be called establishing shot) - Used in many medias to set the scene from a greater distance. In my example above, the establishing shot was used to set the scene of Bermuda Lake (where I filmed at), you could see the whole view of the pond surrounded by trees; its worth mentioning that if people were in the shot in the distance, they would appear like dots.

Mid shot - This is used often in moving image sequences for dialogue. Although this isn't a long shot, we as an audience can still depict body language throughout the scene.

Long shot - often used in multiple media formats to show an entire person, revealing what they are wearing for the viewer to understand concept, time period etc. through knowledge of clothing. This is the same with objects, furniture and so on.

Extreme close up - Often used on characters facial features to reveal emotion to the audience. Also used on objects to reveal texture and marks.

Tilting (Action) - A tilt shot is a camera movement where the camera moves up or down. This is often used in shots of tall buildings such as skyscrapers etc.

Panning (Action) - A panning shot is a camera movement where the camera moves in either a the left or right direction, often used to allow the viewer to receive more information about the setting.

POV (Point of View Shot) - This shot type is self explanitary, often used in moving image where the audience view from the characters perspective.