In filmmaking or video production, a shot is a series of frames that runs for an uninterrupted period of time. Shots are an important part in films especially when it comes to transitions, cuts and angles. These of which are used to further express emotion, ideas and movement.
There are different types of shots used in films, and to know why these shots are being used depends on the mood, emotion, atmosphere, and action in a part of the film. It also depends on the stories. Certain shots are used for key moments of a film.
Here are some of the different types of shots used in films, tv, photography etc.
1) Long Shot-this is often used for establishing shots, and typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings.
2) Medium Shot-this shot is used to show a human subject from above the waist up.
3) Close Up Shot-this shot is used to tightly frame a person or an object. It is an important shot to use in any film or tv programme or photography, as it shows more detail of the human face. The expressions, and emotions will also be clear to see. There are many different types of close ups, including extreme close ups, medium close ups etc.
4) Establishing Shot-this shot is similar to a long shot, but however this shot is used in tv programmes and films to show the setting of a particular scene of where some action, or where the story takes place. So for example you may have an establishing shot of a shop, then in the next shot, there may be a person shopping with a trolley in the shop.
Here is a video showing different shot types:
