A wide shot captures the full subject along with a significant portion of the environment. Also called a long shot or establishing shot, it frames characters from head to toe and provides context. It emphasizes space, scale, and context.
Wide shots establish where the story takes place and how characters relate to their surroundings. They’re often used as establishing shots to orient the viewer.
Use wide shots at the start of a scene, for choreography-heavy moments, or when you want to highlight isolation or scale. Keep composition clean and balanced to avoid distraction.
Establish context – Use wide shots to introduce locations or show spatial relationships.
Maintain depth – Place foreground and background elements for a more cinematic look.
Balance with coverage – Pair wide shots with mediums and close-ups for dynamic storytelling.