Close Up Pic

How Photography Can Be Used In The Classroom

When taking a photo, a close-up tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene - which can be a good thing. Close ups can be used for a variety of reasons. For example, they provide a way to offer more details in your pic, and they can also cut out large or boring backgrounds.

Close-ups are rarely done with wide angle lenses, because perspective causes objects in the center of the picture to be unnaturally enlarged.

There are different degrees of close-up, that use varying terminology, but the following is a rough guide:

• Medium Close Up ("MCU") - Half-way between a mid shot and a close-up, it usually covers the subject's head and shoulders.
• Close Up ("CU") - A certain feature, such as someone's head, takes up the whole frame.
• Extreme Close Up ("ECU" or "XCU") - The shot is so tight that only a fraction of the focus of attention, such as someone's eyes, can be seen.

In addition to providing greater detail about the hamster below, this close-up pic also cuts out the traumatising image of a stalking fox.