List of Basic Camera Shots in Cinematography Compositions

This is a very close shot showing the detail of an object or the physical features of a person.
To make the viewer aware of some specific detail in the film. It can be used to heighten tension.

This is a face shot taken from the mid-forehead to above the chin.

This shows the close detail of the character's eyes and mouth. It can be used to heighten tension.

This is full head height and the head takes up the entire screen. It contains little or no background.
This shows the detail of the character’s face.

This is a shot taken of a person’s head from just above the head to the top of the upper chest. It can also be used to film an object at close range. It contains little or no background. This used to introduce a character and allows the character to show emotions. It can be used to heighten tension.

This shows the upper half of the body. The shot is taken from the above the head to lower chest.

Good for conversation between two characters.

This shows half of the body. The shot is taken from above the head to just below the waist.
This allows you to get to know the character more closely by viewing their facial expressions and body language.

This shows the whole person as well as some of the background.

This shows the whole person and other characters, but the background dominates the shot.

This allows the viewer to understand the relationship between the characters and their environment.

This shows the landscape of the film or a barely visible character in the distance of a background.
This gives information to the viewer about where the action is to take place. It often sets the atmosphere of a film.