What is depicted in a medium shot?

A medium shot typically captures the subject from the head to a line around the waist. This composition is effective for showcasing both the subject’s facial expressions and some of their body language, allowing for a connection with the audience while still providing context about the environment. It strikes a balance between close-up detail and full body context, making it a common choice in dialogues and scenes where character interaction is important.

In contrast, capturing an entire body of the subject would be characteristic of a long shot, which is more about context and setting rather than character focus. The description involving head to just below the chest describes a framing closer to a medium close-up rather than a medium shot. A close-up of facial expressions only focuses narrowly on the face, losing the context that the medium shot provides. Therefore, the definition of the medium shot aligns precisely with the description of capturing the subject from the head to the waist.