Compose Your Video Shots

Video Implementation (Shooting)—Step 2 of 9 

You can create attractive, error–free video if you follow these rules of video composition.

Vary Camera Angles

Use a combination of camera angles to create interesting video, even if you're only shooting one person. The most common camera angles are below.

Wide Shot/Long Shot

Shows the entire person, object or building.

Medium Shot

Shows the subject from the waist up or shows half of an object or building. Great for interviews, as the subject fills the screen.

Close–Up

One element, such as a face, fills the screen, making the video more interesting and personal.  

Establishing Shot

Usually an exterior shot of a building. It gives your audience a sense of location by highlighting the surrounding environment.

Use a Tripod

Tripods help you avoid shaky video. If you don't have a tripod, look for the natural tripods around you—a desk/table, rocks, low walls—to help steady your shot.

Keep it Steady

Avoid panning (swiveling the camera from left to right) or moving the camera while filming. Instead, move physically closer to your subject to get the angles you want.

Remember the Rule of Thirds

Divide your image into nine equal parts with two equally–spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. Place your subject at the four intersections (see the circled areas below), for a professional–looking video.

Leave Headroom

Headroom is the space between the top of your subject’s head and the top of the camera frame. When you use a medium shot (common during interviews) leave enough headroom so your subject doesn’t look cramped or too short.

Next Step

Go to our Video Implementation (Shooting) step 3: Light Your Video.

Return to the Main Video Guide page.

Content Lead: Jonathan Rubin
Page Reviewed/Updated: May 4, 2012