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Keyword glossary

Video Camera Moves keywords for AI prompts

Video models respond to classic cinematography terms. Use one camera move per clip and describe its speed for smooth results.

  • Dolly in

    The camera physically moves toward the subject, increasing intimacy or tension.

    slow dolly in on a detective studying a photo

    Best for: Reveals, emotional beats

  • Dolly out

    The camera moves away from the subject, revealing more of the surroundings or creating distance.

    dolly out from a girl to reveal an empty stadium

    Best for: Reveals, endings

  • Push in

    A gradual forward move toward the subject, similar to a dolly in, often used to emphasize a moment.

    push in on the hero's face as she realizes the truth

    Best for: Drama, emphasis

  • Pull back

    The camera retreats from the subject, often ending on a wide reveal of the scene.

    pull back from a campfire to reveal a vast desert

    Best for: Scale reveals

  • Pan

    The camera rotates horizontally from a fixed point, sweeping left or right across a scene.

    slow pan right across a mountain range at sunrise

    Best for: Landscapes, scanning a scene

  • Tilt

    The camera rotates vertically from a fixed point, looking up or down.

    tilt up from the base of a redwood to its canopy

    Best for: Tall subjects, reveals

  • Truck

    The camera slides sideways, parallel to the subject, keeping the same distance.

    truck left alongside a row of market stalls

    Best for: Following, parallax

  • Tracking shot

    The camera follows a moving subject, staying with it through the scene.

    tracking shot following a fox through tall grass

    Best for: Action, walking scenes

  • Orbit

    The camera circles around the subject, showing it from multiple sides.

    slow orbit around a dancer frozen mid-spin

    Best for: Products, hero moments

  • Crane shot

    The camera rises or descends vertically, often sweeping from close to high above.

    crane up from a street vendor to a city skyline

    Best for: Grand reveals, openings

  • Drone fly-over

    A smooth aerial move gliding over landscapes or cities from above.

    drone fly-over of turquoise lagoons and islands

    Best for: Travel, real estate

  • FPV drone

    A fast, agile first-person drone flight that dives, weaves and skims close to surfaces.

    FPV drone diving down a waterfall and over the river

    Best for: Adrenaline, sports, travel

  • Handheld

    Slightly shaky, organic camera movement that feels documentary, urgent or intimate.

    handheld shot of friends laughing at a street party

    Best for: Documentary, realism

  • Static shot

    The camera stays completely still while the subject or environment moves.

    static shot of rain falling on a quiet street

    Best for: Calm scenes, loops

  • Zoom in

    The lens magnifies toward the subject without the camera moving, flattening perspective as it closes in.

    slow zoom in on a lighthouse in a storm

    Best for: Emphasis, retro style

  • Whip pan

    A very fast pan that blurs the image, often used as an energetic transition.

    whip pan from the singer to the cheering crowd

    Best for: Transitions, music videos

  • Slow motion

    Action plays slower than real time, revealing detail and adding drama.

    slow motion splash as a strawberry drops into milk

    Best for: Liquids, sports, drama

  • Time-lapse

    Compresses a long period into seconds, showing clouds racing, flowers blooming or cities changing.

    time-lapse of clouds rolling over mountain peaks

    Best for: Nature, cities, growth

  • Parallax

    Foreground and background move at different speeds as the camera shifts, creating depth.

    parallax move past trees with mountains behind

    Best for: Depth, image-to-video

Put these words to work in the AI prompt generator or see them inside real prompts in the prompt library.