This document defines and describes various camera shot types used in cinematography including medium close up, establishing shot, close up, extreme close up, long shot, over the shoulder shot, high-angle shot, low-angle shot, two shot, and point of view shot. It provides examples of when each shot type would be used and what purpose it serves in filming.

1. Cinematography: Camera Shot Types Rowan
Medium Close Up –
Shows the subject
typically from the waist
up and incudes the torso,
head and shoulders.
Establishing Shot – Shows
where the film is set
and/or where the action
will take place.
Close Up – Tight shot of
the subject – usually just
the face of head of a
person.
Extreme Close Up –
Showing just the mouth,
eyes, etc if it’s a person,
usually used to show
emotion.

2. Cinematography: Camera Shot Types Rowan
Long shot – a full body
shot of an actor and a bit
of where the subject
location is.
Over the shoulder –
Often used during
conversations – camera
usually positioned to
demonstrate the
interactions between
characters.
High-angle shot – For a
high angle shot the
camera towers above the
subject looking down to
make the subject seem
vulnerable and helpless
when applied with the
correct mood, setting,
and effects.
Low-angle shot – Camera
positioned low looking up
at the subject, therefore
making the subject seems
powerful and dominant.

3. Cinematography: Camera Shot Types Rowan
Two shot – Two shots are
good for showing the
relationship between 2
people and their
interactions with one
another.
Point of view shot (POV/
a subjective camera) – A
short film scene that has
the camera positioned to
show what a character
(the subject) is looking at.