Camera Movements

There are many different camera movements that can be used when filming. Some of these can include:


Panning.
This is when a camera is moved from side to side. The lens of the camera scans the scene to provide the viewer with elements of a scene that cannot be included in a wide-angle shot. A pan can also reveal information that is needed. It can follow a moving object or person/group of people. Generally when using panning in a shot, it is smooth but when adjusting the tension and drag on your tripod this will be used in a way to change the smoothness of the pan and tilt.


Tilt.
This is when the camera head is moved up or down. By tilting the camera head up, you can show height in a shot and by tilting it down you can show a lot of depth. It can also show relationships, for example, the tilt of the camera from a man standing on a rocky ledge with a coiled rope on his shoulder to a man standing alone at the base of the cliff presesnts the situation.


Tracking Shot.
A shot in which the camera is pushed horizontally along the ground on a dolly.


Dolly.
This refers to a type of shot achieved when a camera is mounted on a cart pushed along a track.


Crane.
A shot in which the camera rises above the ground on a mobile support.


Steadicam.
This is a mechanism used for steadying a hand-held camera which consists of a shock-absorbing arm to which the camera is attached and a harness is worn by the camera operator.


Hand-held.
This is when a person holds the camera in hand whilst shooting.


Zoom.
This is a single shot which moves towards a particular subject.


Reverse zoom.
This is a single shot which moves away from a particular subject.