The Top 8 Smartphone Camera Movements to Elevate Your Content

Question: When is a pan, not a pan? (And we’re not talking about the frying kind here.) Well, if you’re in the film industry, the answer is “when it’s a different camera movement.”

Amateur filmmakers and budding content creators alike use the term “pan” like it’s going out of fashion. 

Pan left. Pan right. Pan up. Pan down. Pan out. Pan in. Pan around and around until everyone feels nauseous. You get the idea. But the pan is actually one specific kind of camera movement in a vast array of special moves that make your film better. And learning each one will take your footage from meh to magnificent. 

So, let’s level up your game with some slick camera movements for iPhone. These industry-standard moves will help you create better content, while gaining some valuable insights, in less time than it takes to boil an egg. 

First things first. Why do camera movements matter anyway?

Let’s compare it to other movements for a second. Say… a video game like Mortal Kombat. If you’ve only got one or two moves, you’ll never have a shot at beating the champ. Knowing exactly which movements to use, and when, turns you into a badass. It’s the same with camera movements, and they’re even easier to learn. 

There are eight moves you need to know, and by using each one at the right time, you’ll create content that enhances the viewers' experience. And even with the latest image stabilizers built into your device, it’s key to practice these moves until you get each one down pat. Otherwise, you could be taking people on a rollercoaster ride they do not want to be on. 

Eight camera movements for filming like a pro.

1. Pan

Think of the pan as a smooth slide across the horizon. Whether you go left or right, you’re moving the camera on a horizontal axis. It's perfect for capturing epic sweeping vistas or just following your friend busting out moves at the skatepark. And if you want to add more drama, a whip or switch pan is the same but done at rapid speed. 

2. Tilt

You could say this is the yang to the pan’s yin. Instead of moving side to side, the tilt moves the camera smoothly up or down on a vertical axis, but from a fixed point. It’s like moving your head up and down while your body remains static.  Those killer moments in a show that start at the main character's feet, and end up on an “I am the one who knocks” face? That’s a tilt. It can give you a great dramatic introduction. 

3. Zoom

You probably know what zoom is, but fun fact - it’s not a camera movement (although it feels like one). While the camera itself doesn’t move, the digital zoom makes it feel that way as you zoom into a character or scene, or zoom out to reveal something new to the audience. It’s a great way to go from tiny details to the big picture, or vice versa. 

4. Dolly

Not Parton, but a close relation to the zoom shot. This time, you’re moving the camera on a piece of equipment called a dolly. You lay down tracks or rails, and then attach the camera. A push(dolly in) moves the camera closer to the subject in a smooth, steady motion. This can create a feeling of dread, isolation, or claustrophobia. When you pull out (dolly out), you’re doing the opposite. It can be done to reveal more about the scene that can surprise or shock viewers. 

5. Truck

Also known as a tracking shot, a truck shot is similar to a dolly BUT instead of pushing in and out, the track or rails allow the camera to move to the left or right of the subject. This is usually used to follow the character as they move across the frame (for advice on how to frame a shot, we’ve covered that for you too). If two people are walking and talking, it’s a great way to follow the conversation. 

6. Pedestal (or Boom)

Imagine you’re sitting in a typical office chair, and you hit that handy lever to raise it up and down. That, in effect, is a pedestal shot. This is not the same as a tilt, which is an up and down shot from a fixed point. Here, the camera itself is moving up and down in height. Imagine the camera roaring up the side of a building exterior, from the ground floor to the penthouse suite (there’s a fantastic pedestal shot like this in The Royal Tenenbaums). It’s a dynamic shot that can really elevate your footage. Pun not really intended. 

7. Static

Sometimes, the best camera movement is no movement at all. A static shot involves keeping the camera completely stationary. No zooms, trucks, dollys, or anything else. When you want to film moments that focus on the intensity of the scene, or need the viewers to really pay attention to detail, dialog, plot points and more, this technique is perfect. Filming interviews this way, and cutting the static shots with b-roll and more dynamic camera moves, is a great way to utilize it. 

8. Handheld

Raw. Unpredictable. Authentic. Three words to describe the kind of footage you get with a handheld shot. It’s not smooth and glossy, and neither is life,  which makes it perfect for action flicks, horror movies, and docudramas (also found footage like The Blair Witch Project). If you use too much of it, you’ll go from exhilarating your audience to just making them feel ill. Short bursts when needed are so much more effective. 

Combining camera movements

Once you’ve mastered those eight moves (practice, practice, practice) you can create more complex and dramatic shots by combining some of them. For example, combining a pedestal movement with a zoom can create a dramatic reveal or emphasize a specific detail within the frame. So have fun with it. Experiment. You may find some combinations are just what you’ve always been looking for to give your content that elusive chef’s kiss.

And if you want an additional demonstration of camera movements, check out this handy dandy video guide we put together. You can also use these movements to create more interesting b-roll footage (which is essential for rounding out your film, adding cutaways, soundbites, and just making a more interesting video). 

There’s no better time to start than now.

The sooner you get to grips with the eight camera movements, the sooner you can start using them to really up the ante of your work. Whether you're panning across a scenic landscape like David Lean, or tracking a subject's movement Tarantino-style, these techniques empower  you to tell your story with creativity and flair. So grab your smartphone, experiment with different smartphone camera movements, and show the world exactly what you’ve got.