Types of Shot
We know that a shot is the smallest unit of photographic coverage of a person, action, or event in a motion picture. We also know, from watching movies and television programming, that the persons, actions, and events we see are not all shown from the same exact angle, perspective, or distance. Therefore, although each shot represents a unique way to cover or frame the action, it is clear that there are a variety of common shot types. Perhaps the terms close-up, medium shot, and long-shot are already familiar to you, but let us take a look at an example of each shot type. Keep in mind, we are going to first explore the simplest of shots (static, locked-off shots) of a person (the subject within the frame) and then build on the complexity of content and composition. So let us begin at the beginning of types of shot.
1. Medium Shot
The medium shot (also abbreviated MS) is the shot type that nearly approximates how we, as humans, see the environment most immediately around us. Imagine that you are in a room with another person and the two of you are engaged in conversation. Typically there would be several feet of space between you (unless you were particularly close friends or the room was extraordinarily tiny) and, as a result, you would most likely be viewing each other in a medium shot. Then imagine that you are holding a camera and you record the other person’s image. The resulting frame would most likely yield what is known as a medium shot. So it would seem that proximity or distance from the observer (you or the camera) can help dictate what is seen in the frame. A moderate distance then (let us say 5 to 10 feet) may lead to a medium shot. We will explore other factors, such as actual object size and focal length of the lens on the camera, later in the text. What it really comes down to, though, is how much of a person, object, or environment is included in the frame. A viewer watching a medium shot should feel very comfortable with the image because it should feel like a normal observation.
2. Close-Up
The close-up (CU) is an intimate shot. It provides a magnified view of some person, object, or action. As a result, it can yield rather specific, detailed information to the viewer. If we continue the example from earlier, imagine that person with whom you are having the conversation in that room holds a picture of their new car. In that medium shot, you would most likely only be able to see that it is a photograph, but certain details would be lacking. Then, if you take that photograph and hold it closer to your eyes you would see it much better. You just created a close-up of the photograph so that you could observe more detail and get more precise information — you clearly see the photograph of a new car. Again, object size, proximity, and magnification (lens optics at play) will help you generate this frame filled with a larger rendering of the object.
3. Long Shot
The long-shot (LS) is a more inclusive shot. It frames much more of the environment around the person, object, or action and often shows their relationships in physical space much better. As a result, the environment may take up much more of the screen than the person or the object included in the frame. To continue our example, the person who just showed you the photograph of their new car gestures toward the window and tells you to look outside at the actual car parked out on the street. When you view the car from the window, you are seeing it in a long shot. The car is far away, small in your frame of view, and surrounded by more information from the entire environment. The long-shot may also be referred to as the wide shot (WS) because it traditionally encompasses more of the filmed world within its frame. A viewer has presented a wider field of visual information, often shot from a long distance away
“ If I were watching this motion picture, what would I want to be seeing right now? ” Remember, it is the audience who ultimately watches all of your shots edited together, and their Experience viewing your piece is based, in large part, upon the quality and variety of shot types that you can present to them. Next, we will elaborate much more on the other, numerous derivations of these three basic shots. So do not worry, you will have plenty of shot variety to cover all of the action.
