--- title: "Understanding Photography: Types of shots" description: Overall. Medium. Detail. three types of shots provides viewers with a better understanding of the scene and tell more of the story. image: https://blog.balfour.com/hubfs/Tuesday%20Tips/2021/2021_Apr/042721_TT%20photo%20types%20of%20shots_thumb.jpg --- ** [![balfour](https://blog.balfour.com/hubfs/balfour.png) ](https://www.balfour.com/) ** - ** - [** ](https://www.balfour.com/shop/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmFsZm91ci5jb20vc2hvcC9tYXN0ZXItdGVtcGxhdGU%2C/) - # Understanding Photography: Types of shots Apr 27, 2021 [Back to Blogs](https://blog.balfour.com) [ Photography ](https://blog.balfour.com/topic/photography) ![042721_TT photo types of shots_thumb](https://blog.balfour.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tuesday%20Tips/2021/2021_Apr/042721_TT%20photo%20types%20of%20shots_thumb.jpg?width=1440&name=042721_TT%20photo%20types%20of%20shots_thumb.jpg) *Overall. Medium. Detail. These three types of shots provide viewers with a better understanding of the scene and tell more of the story. Part of our “Understanding Photography” series, this post is also an ideal assignment for staffs done with the yearbook.* Overall—This type of shot sets the scene. An overall shot gives you a sweeping overview, letting the viewer familiarize themselves with the environment and the subjects. It sometimes requires a high angle from above. A wide angle lens is usually needed to give a thorough, comprehensive view. ##### ![Photo types of shots_overall KL](https://blog.balfour.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tuesday%20Tips/2021/2021_Apr/Photo%20types%20of%20shots_overall%20KL.jpg?width=860&name=Photo%20types%20of%20shots_overall%20KL.jpg) *This overall shot from the 2019 Intensity workshop sets the scene. The birds-eye angle provides a wider perspective of the students selecting yearbooks. Photo by Kel Lemons * Medium—Tells the story in one photograph. It’s taken close enough to capture the subject’s action, but far enough to see the relationship to the environment. A wide angle or normal lens works well for medium shots, although a telephoto is useful when you can’t move in as close. ##### ![Photo types of shots_medium MP](https://blog.balfour.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tuesday%20Tips/2021/2021_Apr/Photo%20types%20of%20shots_medium%20MP.jpg?width=860&name=Photo%20types%20of%20shots_medium%20MP.jpg) *This medium shot provides a closer view than an overall shot, telling the story in one image. Photo by Michael Pena * Detail—This close-up shot adds drama. It pulls the viewer in tight to a subject’s face or object. Not all close-ups need to be on a person; sometimes objects tell the story. Detail shots are often taken with a macro lens or telephoto zoom. ##### ![Photo types of shots_detail KL](https://blog.balfour.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tuesday%20Tips/2021/2021_Apr/Photo%20types%20of%20shots_detail%20KL.jpg?width=856&name=Photo%20types%20of%20shots_detail%20KL.jpg)* A detail shot provides a close-up presentation of the subject, in this case, a stack of yearbooks. Close-up shots are often overlooked, but can provide a unique perspective and additional level of detail for the viewer. Photo by Kel Lemons * Overall. Medium. Detail. These three types of shots enhance the story the photographer is telling. You’re providing the audience with a more comprehensive view, ultimately giving them a better perspective and understanding of the subject. ### Sign up to get yearbook tips and best practices straight to your inbox! ![Balfour horizontal with tag White-01](https://blog.balfour.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Balfour%20horizontal%20with%20tag%20White-01.png?width=247&height=191&name=Balfour%20horizontal%20with%20tag%20White-01.png)   Get News and Discounts on Balfour Products! ### Get News and Discounts on Balfour Products! 2024 Commemorative Brands, Inc. Balfour is a Registered Trademark of Commemorative Brands, Inc. [Privacy](https://www.balfour.com/HelpCenter/Legal/Privacy%20Security) | [Terms Of Use](https://www.balfour.com/HelpCenter/Legal/Terms%20of%20Use) | [Legal Notice](https://www.balfour.com/HelpCenter/Legal/Terms%20of%20Use)