Shot size in cinematography refers to the framing and composition of a shot in relation to the subject being filmed. It can be defined as the distance between the camera and the subject, or the amount of the subject that is visible within the frame. The shot size is determined by the placement of the camera and the lens used, and it can greatly impact the visual storytelling of a film.
Shot sizes are an essential aspect of visual storytelling, as they can convey a range of emotions, perspectives, and information to the audience. Different shot sizes are used to communicate different aspects of a scene or character, and they can create a sense of intimacy or distance, depending on the desired effect. Shot sizes are also an important tool for filmmakers to guide the viewer's attention and emphasize certain elements of the scene. By utilizing different shot sizes effectively, filmmakers can create a visually engaging and emotionally resonant cinematic experience for their audiences.
Here is a list of the most important shot types with examples:
Extreme Long Shot (ELS): This shot shows the subject from a great distance, and is often used to establish a location or give the viewer a sense of scale. An example of this shot can be seen in the opening shot of the movie "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962).
Lawrence of Arabia
Long Shot (LS): This shot shows the full body of the subject, along with some of the surrounding environment. It is often used to establish a character or setting.
Revenant
Medium Long Shot (MLS): This shot shows the subject from the knees up, and is often used to establish the physical relationship between characters or objects.
Birdman
Medium Shot (MS): This shot shows the subject from the waist up, and is often used for dialogue scenes or to show the subject's body language.
Titanic
Medium Close Up (MCU): This shot shows the subject from the chest up, and is often used to convey emotions or reactions.
No Country for Old Men
Close-Up (CU): This shot shows the subject's face in detail, and is often used to emphasize emotions or important dialogue.
Shining
Extreme Close-Up (ECU): This shot shows a small detail of the subject, such as the eyes or mouth. It is often used for emphasis or to create a sense of intimacy.
Silence of the Lambs
Interested in mastering shot sizes and taking your cinematography skills to the next level? Watch my concise course, 'Fundamentals of Cinematography: Every Shot Size Explained,' where I'll explain the most important shot sizes and their functions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced filmmaker, this course is designed to help you choose the right shot size to make your actors' performances really shine. We'll go through every major shot size and provide examples from my own films and other well-known movies to illustrate their use and professional vocabulary.
You can explore another division in shot types in this post: Shot Sizes - Subdivision by how many subjects are in the frame
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