Television is made up of hundreds and thousands of pictures, called shots, each of which must be carefully planned. To make television programs more interesting, various types of shots are used.

Camera distance. There are three main shots describing how near or far the camera is from the subject. A close-up shows only one part of the subject, usually in great detail. Close-ups would include shots of a person's face, or the paws of a dog walking down a path, of a hand on a doorbell, or of a tree branch. A picture showing half of the subject, such as a character from the waist up or the back end of a car, is a medium shot, while a long shot shows the whole subject: a person from head to foot or the entire car. Any of these shots can show one subject or more at the same time.

These three shots are used for specific reasons. An establishing shot at the beginning of a scene tells viewers where they are; for example, a long shot of a car driving up to a hotel or a close-up of a restaurant sign. To show the effect of one person's words or actions on the other people in the scene, a reaction shot is used.

In general, television is a close-up medium: things look better in close-up because the screen is small. However, mixing the shots provides variety and gives information needed to keep the story moving.

Camera angle. The angle from which a shot is taken is another way to give variety as well as information. A high-angle shot positions the camera above eye-level, looking down on the subject, which consequently appears insignificant, weak, helpless, or small according to how extreme the angle is. At eye-level, the impression is neutral. A low-angle shot has the camera looking up at the subject, which then appears important, powerful, or domineering, again depending on how exaggerated the angle is. Usually the camera looks at the subject, but occasionally the camera shows what the subject is seeing. The is a reverse-angle shot.

Camera Moves

Another way to give television programs variety is for the camera to move. When the camera changes its position by moving left or right, this is called tracking or trucking. Changing the camera's position by moving it forward or backward is known as dollying. When the camera stays in the same position but turns left or right, this is panning, and when it turns up or down, this is known as tilting. Even when the camera is stationary and not turning it can appear to move closer to or further from its subject; by using a special ring or lever on the lens, the camera person can zoom in or out.

Although these moves are useful, they should not be overused or they will lose their effect. In fact, any camera movement must be planned and rehearsed so that it will be smooth and in tune with the action.