Camera Movements

Camera movements 

Zoom 

Zooming involves changing the focal length of the lens to make the subject appear closer or further away in the frame. Zooming is one the most frequently used camera movements and is one of the most overused.


Pedestal

This is when the camera moves up and down without changing its vertical and horizontal axis. This involves not tilting the lens up but just moving the camera up. Pedestal up means move the camera up and pedestal down mean move the camera down.




Dolly 

The name dolly comes from dolly tracks that used to be laid down for a heavy camera to move along. The dolly-in means step towards the subject with a camera,while dolly-out means step back with the camera keeping the zoom the same.





Truck 

The camera movement is like dollying but involves the motion of left and right. Truck left means moving the camera physically to the left while maintaing its perpendicular relationship. This camera movement may be used to follow a pedestrian down a street.





Handheld shooting 

Sometimes the action is moving too quickly for the camera to be on a tripod. To do this the camera needs to be more mobile and able to follow the action of the scene. Most times the camera will be held by the operator who then performs basic camera moves by moving their feet.

Arc Shot 

It allows the camera to move around the subject in a semi circle shape.




Tilt 

It is used in a fixed position moving the camera up and down vertically.

Whip pan

This shot causes the shot to blur as the camera pans quickly. It can be used between characters and as a transition between shots.

Crane shot 

This shot is positioned on a crane that is designed to be lowered and raised. It allows you to take a high angle shot but then allows you to swoop down.