Different Shot Types

If you want to tell a story, you need to learn the basics first.
Here is a video showing the different basic types of shots you can do with your camera:



Those were the:
1. Extreme Long Shot - mostly used for establishing the scene
2. Long Shot - capturing the whole body
3. Medium Shot - capturing half of the body
4. Medium Close-Up - also called the 'bust shot'; capturing until the chest area
5. Close-Up Shot - mainly focuses on the head
6. Extreme Close-Up - zooming in really closely on something
7. Cut-In - showing a subject within the scene
8. Cutaway - showing a subject not part of the main scene
9. Over-the-Shoulder - capturing the back of one of the subjects while viewing somebody else facing the camera
10. Cross Shot - capturing the subject away from the camera or diagonally
11. Two Shot - includes two people in the frame
12. Three Shot - includes three people in the frame; may form a triangle
13. Group Shot - includes four or more people in the frame

(3) Vectors:
1. Graphic vector - lines point somewhere
2. Motion vector - there is a moving object
3. Index vector - literally pointing somewhere



While deciding whether or not to use this type of shot or not, you also need to take into account some "rules" in videography. There are the rule of thirds, proper exposure, headroom, breathing space, and what have you. But of course, you may always break the rules. Show your creative side and find those perfect angles!