iPhone Photography: The Ultimate Guide of 9 Types of Frames. Visual Weight 🤸🏼‍♀️

Pasha Francuz
7 min readSep 27, 2023

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Have you ever seen how a cinematic approach changes your shot?

San Mateo 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Medium Long Shot

A cinematic approach in filmmaking involves various techniques and considerations that enhance the visual and emotional impact of a scene. One way in which a cinematic approach can change a shot is “9 Classic Types of Frames” which you can always catch while you watching any movie on Netflix or just in a cinema theater from Hollywood. By the way, you can think this way, as this is the “size of the shot” or the size of the main object or subject in the frame.

Twin Peaks, San Francisco, 2019 — (apple iPhone 6) Frame Sizes Examples

Honestly, it was my dream to finally write this 😃 and share here with you — it was helpful for me to systemithe some thoughts and knowladge. By the way you combine types of frrame that I gonna be talking below with the way you build a frame that can dramatically change the look and impact of a shot, ultimately enhancing the storytelling and emotional resonance of your story/photography.

So, what I mean by that for example take a look first one from these 9 types “Extreme Long Shot” (take a look image below 👇🏻). As the name implies, is expansive in its scope. This shot typically serves as an introduction to a new setting, effectively establishing the spatial context for the unfolding action. Its purpose is to provide viewers with a clear understanding of the environment.

Burlingame 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Exreme Wide Shot Frame Size

Depending on its execution, a wide shot can evoke various emotions. It can impart a sense of isolation and ambiguity when the protagonist stands alone in an expansive, empty space, or conversely, it can convey a feeling of being overwhelmed when the character becomes lost in a bustling crowd.

San Francisco 2022 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Exreme Wide Shot Frame Size

Mastering the art of framing is essential for visual storytellers, as it allows them to “manipulate” the audience’s perspective, control the emotional impact of a scene, and convey narrative information effectively. Whether it’s the vastness of an extreme long shot, the intimacy of a close-up, or the nuanced interactions in between, understanding the nuances of these frame sizes is fundamental to creating engaging and immersive “visual narratives”.

What you want to remember from this article is that these 9 types of frames are really cool to use on location ;) 💪🏽 Below you’ll find a shot size cheatsheet to see exactly how different shot sizes will look on a photo, and how to differentiate the various shot sizes:

Long/wide -> Medium -> Close-up

San Francisco, 2022 (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro)

Pro Tip: Experiment with different types of frames to discover what works best for your photography style and the message you want to convey in your images.

Well,

Types of Camera Shot Sizes

The Different Types of Shots

So, let’s repeat what we know already in the world of filmmaking and photography, camera shot sizes play a crucial role in conveying emotions, storytelling, and capturing the essence of a scene. The choice of shot size can drastically affect how the audience perceives and engages with the content. From extreme long shots to extreme close-ups, each shot size has its unique purpose and impact. Here we going to explore the various types of camera shot sizes and their significance in visual storytelling.

Wide Shots:

Type 1: Extreme Long Shot or Extreme Wide Shot

The extreme long shot, also known as the establishing shot, is the widest shot size. It is typically used at the beginning of a scene to establish the setting and provide context to the audience. This type of shot is excellent for revealing the vastness of landscapes or cityscapes, setting the tone, and creating a sense of scale. They are also used in action sequences to show the location of characters within a larger space.

Oakland, 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Exreme Wide Shot Frame Size

Type 2: Very Long Shot

The long shot is a step closer to the subject compared to the extreme long shot. It captures the subject in full, allowing the audience to see their entire body and some surrounding environment. Long shots are often used for group scenes or to display a character’s actions in relation to their surroundings. They provide a moderate level of detail while still maintaining a sense of the environment.

Oakland, 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Very Long Shot Frame Size

Type 3: Long Shot/Full Shot

Now let’s talk about camera shots that let your subject fill the frame while keeping the emphasis on scenery.

Oakland, 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Full Shot Frame Size

The full shots can be used to feature multiple characters/objects in a single shot.

San Mateo 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Full Frame Fame Size

Medium Shots:

Type 1: Medium Long Shot

The medium-long shot frames the subject from the knees or waist up. It is ideal for capturing interactions between characters, as it offers a balance between individual and environmental detail.

Sous Chef Eddy from the Restaurant Twelve Month at Burlingame, 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Medium Long Shot

This type of shot allows the audience to focus on both the characters and their surroundings, making them essential for dialogue-heavy scenes and character development.

Sous Chef Eddy from the Restaurant Twelve Month at Burlingame, 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Medium Long Shot in Vertical View

Please note that this shot in vertical view is even more expressive.

Blue Bottle Coffee at San Mateo, 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Medium Long Shot in Vertical View

Type 2: Medium Shot

In a medium shot, the subject is framed from the waist up. These shots are commonly used for conversations and emphasize facial expressions and body language.

Santa Barbara 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Meidum Fame Size

They provide a more intimate look at the characters and are effective in conveying emotions and reactions.

Santa Barbara 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Meidum Fame Size

Type 3: Medium Close-Up

Moving closer to the character, the MCU shot frames from the chest or shoulders up. It accentuates characters’ emotions, reactions, and expressions.

Kyiv 2020— (apple iPhone X) Medium Close-Up Fame Size

MCU shots are powerful tools for connecting the audience with the characters’ feelings and building emotional intensity in the story.

Oakland, 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Medium Shot

Close-Up Shots:

Type 1: Close-Up

The medium close-up shot frames the subject from the chest or shoulders up. It is often used to focus on a character’s emotions, reactions, or key expressions.

San Francisco 2022 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Close Up Fame Size

Medium close-up shots are perfect for intensifying the audience’s connection with the characters, making them feel emotionally involved in the scene.

Santa Barbara 2023 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Close Up Fame Size

Type 2: Big Close-Up

The close-up shot captures the subject’s face or a specific object in great detail. Close-up shots are powerful tools for emphasizing emotions, creating suspense, or highlighting important plot points.

San Mateo 2021 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Big Close Up Fame Size

They allow the audience/viewer to dive deep into a character’s thoughts and feelings, creating a strong emotional connection.

Oakland 2022 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Big Close Up Fame Size

Type 3: Extreme Close-Up

The extreme close-up shot isolates a small portion of the subject, such as the eyes, mouth, or an object. These shots are used for extreme emphasis, often to convey intense emotions, build tension, or create intrigue. They draw the audience’s attention to specific details that are critical to the story.

San Francisco 2022 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Extreme Close Up Fame Size

Conclusion

In summary, a cinematic approach involves a combination of a visual type of frame and the way you build a frame (if you are hungry 😅 then read this cool advice from the article “iPhone Photography: 9 Super Cool Steps to Designing Your Frame 🙌🏻”) that can dramatically change the look and impact of a shot, ultimately enhancing the storytelling and emotional resonance of your story/photography.

San Francisco 2022 — (apple iPhone 11 Max Pro) Close Up Fame Size

Remember that the choice of the frame should complement your subject and the story you want to tell not make your life complicated 😃. So, let's experiment with different types of frames to discover what works best for your photography style and the message you want to convey in your images today …

Dedicated to you. You are the creator. Please, be bold 🖤

Follow me for more
@masterpasha.photography

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Pasha Francuz

I’ll stop you at the moment to see how to eat with your eyes first, with no camera at all! It’s a place where I'll guide you by just slowly observing life …