Medium Close-up
A shot that frames a person from the chest to the top of the head. The facial expression is the star, but part of the shoulders and hand gestures show too, so it feels less cramped than a close-up. It is also called a bust shot.
How it feels
- Focus
- Conversation
- Trust
- Calm
- Friendliness
When to use it
- Focusing on a speaker, as in an interview or the news
- Showing both the expression and small hand gestures in a conversation
- A character examining something or working with their hands
- A reaction shot responding to what someone says
In the movies
Not to be confused with
- Close-up
- A close-up cuts at the neck or shoulders, so the face fills more of the frame.
- Medium Shot
- A medium shot goes down to the waist, so more body language shows.
Prompt
Keyword
medium close-up
Descriptive
Medium close-up. The subject is framed from the chest up, the face fills the upper part of the frame and the shoulders and a little of the hands are visible.
Try these combinations
Medium close-up + eye level: a news anchor
Medium close-up, eye level, a news anchor speaking to camera, soft studio lighting
Medium close-up + push in: someone absorbed in their work
Medium close-up, slow push in, a craftsman examining a pocket watch at his workbench