Cinematographers learn 12 camera moves in film school.
Most AI creators don't know a single one. Because nobody told the camera what to do.
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Here they are:
→ Push-in — moves toward the subject
Builds tension. Creates intimacy. Use it slowly.
→ Pull-back — retreats to reveal
Isolation. Scale. Endings. The reveal shot.
→ Pan — horizontal rotation, camera stays fixed
Suspense lives in what you haven't shown yet.
→ Tilt — vertical version of the pan
Tilt up on a hero. They look powerful immediately.
→ Tracking shot — camera travels with the subject
Energy. Forward motion. You feel like you're there.
→ Arc / orbit — circles the subject
Hero moments. Product showcases. Keep it under 30 degrees.
→ Crane / jib — sweeps vertically on a boom
Grandeur. Scale. The "god-view" of cinematography.
→ Zoom — focal length changes, camera doesn't move
Flatter look than a dolly. Fast zoom = music video energy.
→ Dolly zoom — camera goes one way, lens goes the other
Background warps. Subject stays still. Pure psychological dread.
→ Whip pan / crash zoom — extreme speed for transitions
Shock. Comedy. Stops the scroll every time.
→ Handheld — natural shake, no stabilisation
Add "subtle" or the model goes full earthquake.
→ Static angles — low, high, Dutch, bird's-eye, worm's-eye
Low angle = power.
Dutch angle = unease.
Bird's-eye = scale.
The mistake everyone makes: stacking multiple moves into one prompt. One move. One clip. Always.
And add "slow" to almost everything. Slow moves hide what AI can't render cleanly. Fast moves expose every flaw.