On set at the Grand Canyon in Arizona (G.R. Claveria, Matt Bahur and Bryan Rohrenbacher)

Whether it's taking a photograph, painting a picture, shooting a film or even designing a game there are common ways to compose a scene. The following describes the most commonly used shots in photography, film. television, painting and the game industry. In media, the picture seen on the screen or whatever canvas you use is referred to as a SHOT.

For instructional purposes I have decided to use images from my award winning film "Cowboy Chinaman" in order to help simplify industry terminology and it's corrspondance with aesthetic scene compostion.

1) Extreme Long Shot (Wide Shot / Establishing Shot)

This is usually used as the first shot in a sequence and is great for establishing a scene. It gives emphasis to the background and the environment in which your project will take place. It is usually taken from an extremely far distance. This shot makes me think of Sergio Leone films and how he makes the audience feel as if they were not only looking at the landscape but have been transported there.

2) Long Shot (Full Shot / Wide Shot / Master Shot)

Very simmilar to the Extreme Long Shot, this is used to show your subject or subjects and its relation to the surroundings. This is also shot from a distance and helps in establishing all the elements in your scene so your audience is aware of 1) who is there, 2) where they are and 3) what they are doing. The emphasis is on the environment and generally includes the character's whole body in the scene.

3) Medium Shot (Two Shot)

This shot is used quite often and is considered "normal" viewing distance. The shot lies between the extremes of the long shot and the close up shot. The shot is usually framed from the waist up. It gives the viewer an opportunity to get closer to the subject while allowing them to see parts of the environment. It gives you more intimacy with your subjects than the long shit and more breathing room than the close up shot.

A two shot is a form of a medium shot that has two actors side by side either sitting, standing or even walking. Instead of cutting back and fourth from scene to scene, a two shot allows characters to carry a conversation by keeping them both in frame.

4) Close Up Shot (Single)

This shot brings you in much closer, usually from the top of the person's head down to their chest or neck. Whatever subject you decide to shoot tends to fill up the screen and gives the audience a detailed view.

This shot can cause emotions to change in the audience, build interest and intensity, eliminate superflous moments and even focus on a signifcant incident.

5) Extreme Close Up (Tight Focus)

With this shot, images are magnified on to the screen. Small portions of the subject are focused on, such as a person's eyes, the workings of a machine, the details of a flower and the tip of a pen.

This shot builds intincity and allows the audience to get up close and personal with the subject. The dramtic effect

6) High Angle Shot

Shooting from above. The camera is placed higher while the subjects are below as the camera shoots down. Do not mistake this with a bird's eye view shot.

This angle usually makes the object seem smaller, vulnerable, and powerless.

7) Eye Level Shot

This is a neautral shot very similar to the medium shot. The camera is placed at normal eye level in relation to the subject. It should look as if a human is actually observing the subject. Eye level shots need not be indicated as such.

8) Low Angle Shot (Worm's Eye)

Shooting from below. The camera is placed lower while the subjects are above as the camera shoots up. Often at knee height.

The background of this shot will usually be the sky or the ceiling. This angle can be used to increase height for certain actors. This added height can make the audience feel fear and insecurity.

9) Bird's Eye Shot

This is shot from above and is looking directly down on the subject. It gives the audience

10) Canted / Oblique Angle (Dutch Angle)

The shot is tilted / put on it's side. It is used to show imbalance and instability.

11) Over the Shoulder Shot

This shot is self explanatory. This is a point of view shot where you can see the back of the shoulder and the head of the person.

12) Point of View Shot (Subjective Camera / 1st Person Shooter)

This shot is taken from the subject's perspective. It is if you were looking through the eyes of a particular character. The camera represents the eyes of the character and you can see the actions they make.