Camera Movement

Different Types Of Camera Movement

Pan: The pan shot is a traditional movement in which the filmmaker moves the camera horizontally from left or right while its base remains locked. 

Tilt: A tilt shot is shot that uses a cinematographic technique called tilting in which the camera stays fixed but rotates up and down on a vertical plane. Tilting is similar to the motion of an individual raising or lowering their heads. This is different than the panning of a camera which also sits on a fixed but moves left to right.

Track:  a tracking shot is when the camera physically moves through the scene rather than simply panning around from one static spot.

Dolly: A dolly shot is a specific kind of tracking shot where it follows a subject on an apparatus called a dolly. A dolly is a cart that the camera is mounted on, which rolls along dolly track or on its own wheels. Dolly shots are designed to be smooth and controlled camera movements.

Crane: A crane shot is taken by a camera mounted on a jib or crane that moves up and down. The terms 'jib' and 'cranes' are used interchangeably. The main function of a jib is to extend your camera out over a tripod, moving the camera up, down, left, right, or in any of those combinations.

Steadcam: A Steadicam is a camera stabilizing system used to capture tracking shots with motion picture cameras. It isolates the camera operator's movement and makes the shot look smooth and controlled, capturing the action without any wobbles.

Hand Held: With handheld shots the camera is carried by the operator, often creating an uneven movement. These shots allows the operator to follow action very closely, creating a greater sense of immediacy for the audience, and may mimic the movement of a character in point of view shots.

Zoom: A zoom shot is when the focal length of a camera lens is adjusted to give the illusion of moving closer or further away from the subject.

Dolly Zoom: A dolly zoom is an in-camera effect where you dolly towards or away from a subject while zooming in the opposite direction. Also known as a zolly, this shot creates a sense of unease in the viewer, simulates a spatial warp, and can either shrink or extend distances based on the choice of direction.