A long shot in film is a foundational type of camera shot that shows the entire subject from head to toe and places that subject in relation to their surroundings. It is sometimes referred to as a wide or full shot. Long shots center the audience in the scenes they are about to witness, and understanding this camera angle is key to success as a filmmaker. Long shots are used to show a comprehensive view of the scene and provide context to more fully experience the film.

In film, a long shot is a view of a scene that is shot from a considerable distance, so that people appear as indistinct shapes. An extreme long shot is a view from an even greater distance, in which the subject is usually not noticeable in the frame.

A medium long shot, also called medium full shot, frames a character around the knees and up. This shot size falls between a medium shot and a long shot. It is used to capture both a character and their setting, and to show a characters emotions through their facial expressions and body language.

Long shots were part of the earliest filmmaking techniques in feature film because they function similarly to pulling up the curtain on a stage play. They allow filmmakers to show their style and fly their flag as a filmmaker. Long shots are commonly used to establish setting, mood, and characters relationship to their physical space.