How to Get Shot Types and Framing Right
The standard shot sizes and framing conventions, such as wide, medium and close-up shots, used to plan coverage and guide viewers' attention.
Tomas Lindqvist
What is at stake
Varied, intentional shots give editors choices and help viewers follow the story.
The playbook
- Plan a mix of shot sizes for each scene
- Capture establishing shots at each location
- Leave appropriate headroom and lead room
- Frame for every aspect ratio you will deliver
- Shoot extra cutaways
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Only one shot size per scene
- Cutting off heads or feet awkwardly
- Framing that ignores vertical crops
- No establishing shots
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Wide shot | establishes location and context |
| Medium shot | shows a subject from about the waist up |
| Close-up | shows detail or emotion |
| Headroom and lead room | space above subjects and in the direction they face |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when planning a shoot that will be edited into several formats.
Where this comes from
- Apple Developer — Camera and photography
- Adobe Help Center — Premiere Pro user guide
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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