Camera Techniques: Shot sizes

Wide shot

A wide shots can be used to call attention to the scenery or what happening around the subject. 

Medium wide shot

·         Still containing the scenery the action is taking place in, but also close enough to the actor to show expression. This type of shot is popular in documentaries.

Establishing shot

The opening shot or sequence of any film.  It’s used to set the scene and develop the tone. This is the first introduction the audience get to a film. The establishing can be shot in anyway, it can be a wide shot, mid-shot or an extreme close-up.

                                        

Medium shots

The medium shot or mid-shot is The Most common shot used in film.  In such the subject, actor and setting take up equal area in the frame. With a standing actor the frame would cut off at their waist.

Close-up

Close-ups have a much more dramatic effect then the long or medium shots. So they are favoured shot when wanting to convey a character emotion.

Extreme close-up

The extreme close is when the shot focus only on a single subject. Either to show a potential detail for the film. To highlight something that will become important to the story. Or to leave a message for the audience to figure out by themselves. Or just to show the audience something the director though was pretty cool.