Shot Types

Shot Type	Shot Description	Why this shot is used/What this shot shows
Wide-Shot	Taken from a long distance and captures both the surrounding and action.	It is mostly used as an establishing shot at the beginning of a film, however it can also be used to show isolation/loneliness.
Long-Shot	The depth between the object/subject and the lens is deep. Usually with a 35mm lens.	This shot is also used as an establishing shot in order to present the setting and scene.
Mid-Shot	Depth between the lens and the subject is medium. Usually a 50mm lens.	Used to present both the setting and objects/characters, often used for dialogue.
Medium Close Up		Displays emotion in more detail than a mid-shot, but you can still see the setting. It can display equality between the viewer and the character.
Close-Up	Displays the head and shoulders of a subject.	Present more detail than the medium close up therefore drawing more attention to the characters emotion or the detail of an object.
Extreme Close-Up	Shows only the eyes or lips of a character.	Often to make the objet look larger than life and make them more memorable visually. It can also underscore the importance of the scene dramatically.
Over the Shoulder	Camera is placed behind the shoulder of a character	Usually used to present a conversation between characters, switching depending on who is talking. The shot can also suggest tension, intimacy, desire, hatred, imprisonment or conspiracy.
Point of View	The lens acts as the characters eye.	Represents the subjective view of specific character. This type of shot gives the audience a sense of intimacy with the character and can also translate as sympathy for the protagonist and often fear, if it belongs to the antagonist.
Two-Shot	When two characters are filmed in a single shot. Characters are usually filmed from the mid-chest up.	This shot can show harmony or disharmony depending on the scene and body language of the actors. It can show close proximity or link between them.
High-Angle	Camera is placed above the subject.	Makes the subject appear small and vulnerable. It can also show an unguarded moment.
Low-Angle	Camera is placed below the subject and is pointing up.	Causes the subject to be larger-than-life. It can also transfer power to the subject and make it appear to dominate objects beneath it.