Camera Movement
How the camera travels through space — pans, dollies, cranes, handheld, and more.
25 techniques
PanHorizontal camera rotation on a fixed axis that reveals new geography without traveling the body.
TiltVertical camera rotation that climbs or drops attention along a fixed station point.
DollyPhysical forward/back travel on wheels that creates parallax as geography changes.
ZoomOptical magnification from a locked station point that compresses space without walking.
PedestalVertical lift of the whole camera on a column while keeping the optical axis level.
TruckLateral camera travel that slides sideways through space, keeping a parallel path.
Follow ShotCamera pursues a moving subject from behind or beside, matching their path.
Tracking ShotContinuous travel that tracks alongside or through an environment with a clear axis.
Arc ShotCamera orbits around a subject on a curved path, changing background while holding them.
Boom ShotCamera rises or drops on a boom arm, often revealing a larger geography.
Crane ShotLarge vertical and spatial travel on a crane that can crown a location.
HandheldBody-mounted camera with organic micro-shake that feels present and unstable.
SteadicamStabilized floating travel that glides through architecture with dancer-like balance.
GimbalMotor-stabilized move with silky modern float, often through contemporary interiors.
SliderShort precision travel on a slider rail for intimate parallax reveals.
JibSmall crane-like arm move that lifts from table height to a window reveal.
SnorkelLow probe / snorkel lens path that skims surfaces and slips through tight gaps.
Drone ShotAerial camera path that pulls back or pushes in over landscape and vehicles.
Crash ZoomAggressive sudden zoom that punches into a face or detail for comic or shock emphasis.
Whip PanExtremely fast pan that streaks motion blur then lands on a new subject.
Vertigo EffectDolly-zoom combo: camera travels while lens counter-zooms so subject size holds as space warps.
Pull BackCamera retreats to reveal scale, context, or loneliness around a subject.
Push InForward pressure move that tightens on a thought, verdict, or rising action.
Random MotionPlayful unstable energy—party camera that wanders without losing the beat.
360-Degree ShotFull orbit around a subject that maps their world in one continuous circle.