Close Ups: Close ups convey the detail and emotion to the viewer. They vary from the real extreme close up to the standard head and shoulders shot.
Extreme close up (ECU) - Any shot that zooms in very close to a particular part of a subject is known as an extreme close up. They vary considerably but usually focus on a particular part of a person—the face, mouth, eyes, hands, etc
Close up (CU) - Close up shots typically contain just the face and shoulders of a subject, with a little head room above
Medium Shots: Medium shots (or mid shots) typically frame subjects from the waist up. These shots help to show people in the context of the background. They are used extensively in film production as they portray the audience’s everyday perception of people.
Medium shot (MS) - The 'waist up' medium shot is ideal when the subject is speaking or delivering information and the fine detail isn't needed. It's also useful when people are gesturing with their arms.
Medium shot (MS) - The 'waist up' medium shot is ideal when the subject is speaking or delivering information and the fine detail isn't needed. It's also useful when people are gesturing with their arms.
Two-shot or three-shot - The two/three shot is often medium shots, these are shots of two or three people in one scene. They're often used in interviews and are also good for establishing a relationship between subjects.
Medium shot (MS) - The 'waist up' medium shot is ideal when the subject is speaking or delivering information and the fine detail isn't needed. It's also useful when people are gesturing with their arms.
Two-shot or three-shot - The two/three shot is often medium shots, these are shots of two or three people in one scene. They're often used in interviews and are also good for establishing a relationship between subjects.
Long Shots: A long shot shows a great deal of background, be it the set, the landscape or the venue. Long shots are essential to establish the scene for the viewer and to put the rest of the film into context. This is why they are also known as establishing shots.
Extreme long shot (EWS) - Extreme long shots are far removed from the subject and often shot with a wide-angle lens. They may show the subject in the distance, but the emphasis is more on showing the subject in his or her environment.
long shot (WS) - long shots provide an overall view of the whole scene. If the shot contains a person, the whole body is shown.
Creative Shots
Over-the-shoulder shot (OSS) - These shots are filmed from just behind a person. They tend to show the back of a person’s head (often cutting off the frame just behind the ear) and sometimes one shoulder.
Point of view shot (POV) - Also called a subjective shot. The camcorder adopts the perspective of a character. We see what a character sees and therefore identify with him/her. The person whose point of view it is should never be seen in the shot
