There are various ways a camera can focus on subjects in order to define persons or objects within the frame of the picture. The Extreme Close Up (ECU) or Close Up (CU) is one such shot where the camera tightly frames person or an object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots. Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene.

There are regional differences (USA, Europe) regarding the employment of Close-ups, not to mention according to the personal taste of a Cameraman / Director of Photography (DP), Cinematographer or Director. The important point is the relation of the shot to the main theme: A Full Shot, or Long Shot is mostly used as an Establishing Shot in order to bring the viewer into the milieu of the story or action showing a person or an object in its entirety and in its own context. All subsequent Shots evolve from this initial Shot.

A Close-up shot emphasizes the actors detailed mimetic facial expressions, the eyes, a hand. See also Full Shot, Medium Shot, Close-up, Extreme Close-up, Long Shot and Extreme Long Shot.