The Medium-Shot

The MEDIUM-SHOT (or Mid-Shot, MS), or as I like to call it the Natural Shot, is a camera angle taken from a medium distance.  It is the most commonly used shot in films as it provides a good view of a character, their facial expressions and the background.

Fig #1

A example of a Medium Shot

 From The Hunger games

The Medium Shot is often framed from the waist of a character upwards.  As opposed to the Close-Up Shot, the medium shot focuses less on the details or emotions of the character but more on the action or the larger details, for example hand gestures or big movements that wouldn't be seen in a Close-Up.

Fig #2

A 50mm Prime Lens

50mm lenses are favoured for Medium-Shots because they provide a natural and flattering image which is sized to feel like what you would see if you were actually standing at the location and looking at the action though your eyes.  The 50mm lens was created to provide shot which is similar to what the human eye can capture.