Moving image camera techniques
Zooming - Giving the impression of moving closer and further away. Zooming can be used to magnify certain focus points in frame or quick zoom adds a sense of drama.
Pan - The camera is moved horizontally on a central axis. It can be used to follow a character or fit more into frame, for example panning across a landscape.
Tilt - The camera is kept in a stationary position and is tilted upwards and downwards. Slow upwards tilts can be used to make subjects appear as lot bigger where as a downwards tilt has the opposite effect.
Dolly - The camera is mounted on a track and is moved closer or further away from the subject. Unlike zoom the world around the subject moves with the camera. The gives the viewer feeling of moving with the camera and can often help to create intimacy in the shot.
Truck - Similar to a dolly trucking involves moving the entire camera side to side, often used to track characters in motion in a fluid way eliminating jerky camera movements.
Establishing Shot - Often in the beginning of the scene this shot gives context of what's to come and builds ambience. Generally in the form of a long shot it shows where a scene is taking place.
Full Shot - This shot shows the full subject from head to toe and focuses more on gestures and movements rather than their state of mind.
Medium Shot / 3/4 shot - This shot shows the subject often from the knees up. It shows gestures and movements whilst still being close enough to capture emotions.
Close Shot - This shot shows the subjects head which fills most of the frame. It shows emotion and often creates more of a connection. The subject is the prominent focus there is little to no distraction by background interference.
Extreme Close Shot - So close that only specific detail is shown, for example a persons eye or mouth. This shot can be used to add drama to a scene or point out specific detail that might otherwise be overlooked.
Up Shot - Taken from below the eye level of the subject this shot gives the viewer the impression of looking up at the subject. Can often make the subject appear powerful, heroic or even dangerous.
Down Shot - Contrasting to the up shot this is taken from above the eye level of the subject. It can make the subject seem powerless or vulnerable.
Over The Shoulder - As the name suggests it is taken from over the shoulder of another character typically framing medium to close. This shot can be useful in situations such as conversations to help establish characters and who is talking or from behind a subject as they are walking.
Two Shot - This frames two characters together. It can be useful when introducing characters and helps to shed light on their relationship.
Point Of View (POV) - depicts an angle which shows exactly what the character is looking at. It allows the viewer to take on the perspective of the character on a more personal level.
