Nine Classic Camera Moves
December 8th, 2009
1.) Pan
How: Move the camera horizontally left or right. Ideally, you should use a tripod for a smooth effect.
Why: To follow a subject or show the distance between two objects. Pan shots also work great for panoramic views such as a shot from a mountaintop to the valley below.
2.) Tilt
How: Moving the camera up or down without raising its position.
Why: Like panning, to follow a subject or to show the top and bottom of a stationary object. With a tilt, you can also show how tall something is.
3.) Pedestal
How: Not tilting, but physically moving the height of the camera up or down, usually on a tripod.
Why: You pedestal the camera up or down to get the proper height you prefer.
4.) Dolly
How: The camera is set on tracks or wheels and moved towards or back from a subject.
Why: To follow an object smoothly.
5.) Floating Stabilizer Device
How: The device straps to the photographer and the camera is mounted by a series of metal joints controlled by gyroscopes. You can also buy or make an inexpensive alternative that uses counterweights to get a similar effect.
Why: To follow an object through twists and turns. With the stabilizer, you can follow someone through hallways, doors and around rooms.
6.) Crane or Boom
How: This works and looks similar to a construction crane. It is used for high sweeping shots or to follow the action of your subject.
Why: Gives a bird’s eye view. It looks as if the camera is swooping down from above.
7.) Handheld
How: You hold the camera without tripod, monopod or other device. Professional cameras are large and rest on the user’s shoulders. This balances the camera and keeps shaking to a minimum.
Why: Due to the spontaneity of the action, many news crews and most documentaries use hand-held shooting techniques.
8.) Zoom
How: You press a lever or rocker on the camera to zoom in or out. Usually, the harder you press on the lever the quicker the zoom.
Why: To bring objects at a distance closer to the lens, or to show size and perspective.
9.) Rack Focus
How: Focus on one object, like an actor’s face, and have everything behind him out of focus. Then adjust the focus so his face becomes blurred and the actress behind him becomes clear.
Why: You are actually making a transition similar to an edit by constructing two distinct shots. You often see the rack focus used to switch from one actor’s face to another during conversation or tense moments.
Categories: YouTube
