Camera Moves
This page outlines the standard types of camera movement in film and video. In the real world, many camera moves use a combination of these techniques simultaneously.
Crab | A less-common term for tracking or trucking. |
Dolly | The camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks for a very smooth movement. Also known as a tracking shot or trucking shot. |
Dolly Zoom | A technique in which the camera moves closer or further from the subject while simultaneously adjusting the zoom angle to keep the subject the same size in the frame. |
Follow | The camera physically follows the subject at a more or less constant distance. |
Pan | Horizontal movement, left and right. |
Pedestal (Ped) | Moving the camera position vertically with respect to the subject. |
Tilt | Vertical movement of the camera angle, i.e. pointing the camera up and down (as opposed to moving the whole camera up and down). |
Track | Roughly synonymous with the dolly shot, but often defined more specifically as movement which stays a constant distance from the action, especially side-to-side movement. |
Truck | Another term for tracking or dollying. |
Zoom | Technically this isn't a camera move, but a change in the lens focal length with gives the illusion of moving the camera closer or further away. |