Camera Shots, Angles, and Movements For Generating AI Images and Videos
When generating images and videos using AI, you need to include in your prompt how the camera takes the picture or video. Following are common camera shots and movements you can reference when creating your prompts. The example images below were all generated using Nano Banana. The videos were generated using Kling AI.
Shot Types (Distance and Framing)
Shot Type
Description
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
Focuses tightly on one detail (eyes, mouth, hand). Great for emotional intensity.
Close-Up (CU)
Shows the subject’s head and shoulders — captures facial emotion clearly.
Medium Shot (MS)
Shows the subject from waist up — good balance between subject and background.
Full Shot (FS)
Shows the entire body of the subject within the frame.
Wide Shot (WS)
Shows the subject and full surroundings — emphasizes environment.
Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
Subject is small within a large landscape — epic and cinematic.
Over-the-Shoulder (OTS)
Camera is behind one person’s shoulder, focusing on what they’re looking at.
POV (Point of View)
The camera shows what the character sees — immersive perspective.
Extreme Close-Up
Close-Up
Medium Shot
Full Shot
Wide Shot
Extreme Wide Shot
Over-the-Shoulder Shot
POV (Point of View) Shot
Camera Angles
Angle
Description
Eye-Level
Neutral, natural perspective — like the viewer’s eye line.
High Angle
Camera looks down on the subject — makes them seem small or vulnerable.
Low Angle
Camera looks up at the subject — makes them seem powerful or heroic.
Dutch Angle (Tilted)
Camera is tilted diagonally — adds tension or unease.
Bird’s Eye View / Top-Down
Shot from directly above — good for movement, choreography, or maps.
Eye-Level, medium shot
High-angle, medium shot
Low-angle, medium shot
Dutch Angle (Tilted), medium shot
Bird’s Eye View / Top-Down shot
Camera Movements (Dynamic Shots)
Movement
Description
Static
Camera doesn’t move — perfect for portraits or emotional moments.
Pan
Camera rotates horizontally left ↔ right.
Tilt
Camera moves vertically up ↕ down.
Dolly (Push/Pull)
Camera moves forward or backward smoothly on rails. Great for dramatic reveals.
Truck (Left/Right)
Camera moves side to side — similar to dolly but horizontally.
Crane / Jib
Camera moves up or down through large vertical space — majestic motion.
Orbit / 360° Move
Camera circles around the subject — cinematic hero shot.
Tracking / Follow Shot
Camera moves following the subject — conveys movement and energy.
Zoom In / Out
Lens zooms, not physical movement — adds focus or emotional punch.
Handheld
Shaky or organic motion — feels immersive or documentary-style.
Drone Shot
High-altitude or sweeping view — ideal for landscapes, travel, or sports.
