This document provides definitions and examples of basic shot types used in photography and film including: 1) Extreme long shot, long shot, medium long shot, and medium shot which show more of the subject and surroundings. 2) Close up, medium close up, and big close up shots which focus on specific body parts or facial features. 3) Examples are given for each shot type showing how they are used to emphasize different aspects of the subject and scene.

1. VARIOUS SHOTS
Basic Photography
Mass Communication Program
Ateneo de Davao University

2. Shots
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ELS - Extreme Long Shot
LS - Long Shot
MLS - Medium Long Shot
MS - Medium Shot/ Mid
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CU - Close Up
MCU - Medium Close Up
BCU - Big Close Up
ECU - Extreme Close Up
Shot

3. Extreme Long Shot (ELS)
! camera
at its
farthest distance
from subject
! emphasize
background
! context
! establishing
Sex and Lucia!
shot

4. Long Shot (LS)
! showing
all or most
of the subject and
much of the
surroundings
! emphasis
is more on
the size or height of
subject vis-a-vis
background

5. Medium Long Shot (MLS)
! Emphasis
on the
physique of subject
! frame
cuts off feet
and ankles
The Road Home!

6. Medium Shot (MS)
! mid-shot
! lower
frame
passes through
waist of subject
! subject and
setting occupy
roughly equal
areas in the frame
! space for hand
gestures
Angelina Jolie, UNHCR Ambassador!

7. Medium Shot (MS)
Monicca Bellucci!

8. Medium Close Shot (MCS)
! setting
Sex and Lucia!
can be seen
! lower frame passes through chest of
subject

9. Close Up (CU)
! shows
a character’s
face in great detail
! face
fills the screen
The Road Home!

10. Medium Close Up (MCU)
Sex and Lucia!
head and shoulders

11. Big Close Up (BCU)
From forehead to
chin
Emphasis on the
intimate emotion of
the subject

12. Extreme Close Up (ECU)
! reveals
only a
small part of the
face

13. Shot Sizes

14. Shot Angles