Prompt Library
A reference library of camera terminology with corresponding Text to Video prompts and their Gen-4.5 outputs. Use these examples to see how different camera terms translate into generated footage.
Shot Sizes and Framing
Macro
Detailed close up of something small to make it feel large
"A macro close-up explores the iridescent facets of a black butterfly wing. Wings gently move"
Extreme close up
Shows only a small detail, like just the eyes or a specific feature
"A smooth, porcelain-white face fills the frame with emphasis on the closed, featureless eyes and the abstract, multi-colored light pattern projected across the upper face"
Close up
Focuses tightly on the subject's face or an object
"A close-up isolates an elder elephant's face, where white paint patterns resembling ancient script are painted across its leathery surface under a pallid light"
Medium
Shows from the waist up
"Medium shot of a cowboy perched on a horse in a dusty environment. The horse rears violently, its body twisting"
Full
Shows the entire subject from head to toe
"A full shot observes a Victorian woman as she slowly navigates the hedgemaze, beside a small, curious fox"
Wide
Shows the subject and their surroundings, full body visible
"A wide shot captures a lone figure standing atop a vast, windswept mesa, their silhouette sharply defined against a dramatic sunset"
Extreme wide
Shows a vast area, often used for landscapes or to show scale
"An extreme wide shot, in black and white, reveals a vast, silent underwater canyon, its ancient rock formations dwarfing a small, barely visible submarine"
Establishing
Sets the scene by showing the location or environment
"A symmetrical establishing shot frames a 1990s school gymnasium bleachers. Faded championship banners hanging motionless from exposed steel rafters"
Camera Angles
Aerial
Shot from high in the air, typically from a drone or helicopter
"An aerial shot looks directly down onto a small, weathered fishing boat, its deck visible and pitching violently as it navigates through towering, frothing waves during a fierce storm"
High angle
Camera looks down on the subject from above
"A group of figures wearing heavy, hooded robes hold hands and dance in a circle within a misty valley. The high-angle shot captures the entire formation amidst a field of blooming red wildflowers"
Low angle
Camera looks up at the subject from below
"Viewed from a low angle, an ethereal, alien-like opalescent creature with pearlescent intricate skeletal armor appears majestic as it gracefully shifts its posture"
Bird's eye view
Looking straight down from above
"The central body and primary feathers of a majestic white egret, viewed from a bird's eye view directly from above, are meticulously framed, showcasing the pristine texture"
Worm's eye view
Looking up from below
"A rectangular, hand-dug earthen pit extends downwards. The worm's eye view camera is at the bottom of the pit, looking directly upwards, capturing the subtle ambient movement of cloud wisps"
Over the shoulder
Shot from behind someone's shoulder, showing what they're looking at
"Over the shoulder of a woman looking out at stormy waves from a cliffside. The camera pulls back and up to emphasize the height of the cliffs"
POV
Point of view - shows exactly what the character sees
"POV from the perspective of a bear approaching a hollowed out tree filled with honeycomb. The bear paws reach out from the bottom of the frame and grab a handful of honey"
Composition Techniques
Leading lines
Using lines in the scene to guide the viewer's eye
"Leading line composition of a classic white and orange municipal bus navigating a curve on a coastal road. The bus slowly approaches from the background"
Frame within frame
Using elements like doorways or windows to create a frame inside the shot
"Frame within frame composition of a lone female figure with a distinct bob haircut, silhouetted from behind as she walks away from the viewer through a watery corridor"
Symmetrical
Balanced composition with mirrored elements on both sides
"Symmetrical scene of a staircase in the center with grand luxurious decor on each side. A woman in a long red dress is walking up the staircase slowly"
Negative space
Empty space around the subject that draws attention to them
"Negative space scene, shot from above of a vast dried salt lake with a dark red jeep driving slowly. The composition frames the jeep extremely small against the environment"
Camera Movements
Basic Movements
Pan
Camera rotates left or right on a fixed point
"A horizontal pan, from a fixed point, sweeps left to right across pine trees and over a lake to end on a single rowboat docked nearby"
Tilt up/down
Camera rotates up or down on a fixed point
"A tilt up shot begins on the weathered cobblestones of an ancient city street, slowly rising to showcase the intricate architectural details of centuries-old buildings"
Dolly
Camera moves forward or backward on a track or wheels
"A dolly backward shot smoothly follows a lone figure walking purposefully down a dimly lit, narrow alleyway, their silhouette sharply defined"
Static
Camera stays completely still
"Static, completely still establishing shot remains motionless, focused on a single apartment building. The apartment building begins to stretch and curve with an elastic-like quality"
Push & Pull
Push in
Camera moves closer to the subject
"A medium shot of a fish-like alien creature in sleek, black protective gear. The camera slowly pushes in, framing the alien's intricate facial scales and large, bioluminescent eyes"
Pull back
Camera moves away from the subject
"A handheld camera begins on a close shot, tightly framing a single, weathered hand carefully painting intricate details onto a miniature canvas, then slowly pulls backwards to reveal a wider shot"
Truck
Camera moves left or right, parallel to the subject
"The camera trucks right, tracking a woman walking right along a field; as she progresses, the flat environment organically transforms with a stop motion effect from a flower field to a mountaintop"
Pedestal
Camera moves straight up or down vertically
"A woman's slender fingers gently grasp the faceted cap of a clear glass perfume bottle. The hand lifts the bottle while the camera executes a gentle pedestal up, following the bottle's ascent"
Tracking & Following
Tracking
Camera follows alongside a moving subject
"A handheld low angle tracking shot follows a skilled astronaut skateboarder on a moon landscape. Their movements blur against the soft glow of the dark lunar environment"
Orbit
Camera circles completely around the subject
"Camera orbits a meticulously arranged, surreal still life featuring an iridescent albino snake coiled among vibrant yellow lemons, soft pink flowers, and shimmering flora"
Arc
Camera moves in a curved path around the subject
"A figure stands on a precarious cliff edge, overlooking a chasm filled with slow-moving clouds. The camera executes an aggressive, sweeping arc around the subject"
Crane/Jib
Camera moves up and down on a large mechanical arm
"A crane/jib shot moves smoothly downwards, revealing a lone figure hunched over a desk in a dimly lit office, the camera stopping to frame their face as they stare at a glowing monitor"
Zoom & Speed
Zoom
Lens changes focal length to make the subject appear closer or farther
"The camera performs a smooth pull back from a lone explorer, initially focused tightly on their determined face, as they take a deep breath before sprinting to dynamically leap across a chasm"
Crash zoom
Very fast, dramatic zoom in or out
"A medium shot shows a chameleon slowly traversing a moss-covered branch, its body perfectly camouflaged, then a sudden crash zoom closely frames its face"
Whip pan
Extremely fast pan that creates motion blur
"A rapid whip pan dramatically connects two distinct claymation characters, starting from a bewildered detective's exaggerated expression, then snapping to a mischievous antagonist's sly grin"
Stabilization Styles
Handheld
Camera is held by hand, creating natural shakiness
"A handheld camera, with extreme shakiness and jitter, rapidly tracks a crumbling urban landscape during an earthquake, the ground visibly fracturing"
Steadicam
Stabilized handheld system that creates smooth movement while walking
"A steadicam follows closely behind a determined athlete, capturing their dynamic character motion as they sprint through a crowded urban marathon, weaving between other runners"
Gimbal
Electronic stabilizer that keeps the camera smooth while moving
"A gimbal, executing complex and precise camera movement, begins tracking a gardener's path through a lush, overgrown botanical garden, weaving between towering ferns"
Focus Techniques
Deep focus
Everything from near to far is in sharp focus
"A deep focus shot showcases a bustling antique shop, with every trinket on overflowing shelves in the foreground, the worn wooden floor in the mid-ground, and the distant sunlight streaming through a back window all held in crisp clarity"
Soft focus
Intentionally blurred or hazy look for artistic effect
"A solitary figure, their form indistinct and shimmering, stands at the edge of an impossibly still, reflective body of water. The entire scene is enveloped in a thick, luminous fog that diffuses all light"
Rack focus
Shifting focus from one subject to another during a shot
"A rack focus shot transitions from a close-up on a chef's hand meticulously garnishing a plate of haute cuisine, to the delighted expression of a diner across the table"
Shallow focus
Only a small area is in focus, the rest is blurred
"A shallow focus shot isolates a single, chrome bubble floating impossibly slowly through a dimly lit, silent room, its warping surface reflecting a distorted, blurred reality"
Pro Tips for Camera Prompts
Combine Different Terms
Combining terms is encouraged, especially for cinematic sequences. Mix camera angles, motion, composition, and other elements to create your unique shot.
Describe Motion Phases
When prompting for dramatic motion that moves through the frame, describe what's in view or what gets revealed at each phase of the movement.
Static Camera Tips
For static shots, describe the motion that should occur within the scene. Try adding: "The camera is entirely motionless for the duration of the scene."