Examples of shot types

Close up examples:

This is a close up shot of Zooey Deschanel in the movie '500 Days of Summer'. A close up shot is were a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. In this case the close up is of the characters face. Close up shots are mostly used to exaggerate emotion as they focus intently on the facial expressions. They aren't used often on magazine front covers but are occasionally used inside the magazine itself.

Medium close up example:

This is a medium close up of Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the same movie. A medium close up is half way between a mid shot and a close up showing the face more clearly. In this example the shot is of the characters face and shoulders, excluding the majority of the background. This type of shot is often used on magazine front covers as it shows the face more clearly without being uncomfortably close.

 

Mid shot example

This is a mid shot of the main characters in same film. A mid shot is were a part of the subject is shown in more detail while still giving the impression of the whole subject. In this case the mid shot is of the characters from the waist up wards. Mid shots are usually used when the subjects aren't expressing a lot of emotion or in intense concentration. These types of shots are sometimes used on magazine front covers however medium close ups are more frequently used.

Wide shot example:

This is a wide shot of again the main characters in the film. A wide shot is were the subject takes up the full frame. In the example used they fill the photo leaving 'safety room' at the sides of the the subjects and above and below them.Wide shots are often used to show the subject in full giving an idea of the scale. Wide shots aren't commonly used on magazine front covers.

Two-shot example:

This is an example of a two-shot. A two-shot is a shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid shot. In this case the two-shot is of the main characters stood next to each other. Two shots are usually used to establish a relationship between the subjects. Two-shots are sometimes used on magazine front covers depending on the subject of that particular issue.

These are all examples of different shot types taken from the movie '500 Days of Summer'. This allowed me to establish between different shots and helped me to see which shot I have to use for my front cover.