A zoom shot is when the focal length of a camera lens is adjusted to give the illusion of moving closer or further away from the subject. Zoom shots are done with a zoom lens, which have variable focal lengths.
The most typical camera zoom types are the "zoom in" and "zoom out." But this technique can also be combined with a dolly shot to create a "dolly zoom."
There can confusion between a knowing the difference between a zoom shot and a dolly shot. Unless you know exactly what to look for, these two shots behave in very similar ways.
When a zoom shot is executed rapidly, it is called a crash zoom. When you crash zoom into a close-up, it provides energy and impact to a reaction shot. This type of shot is most associated with classic kung fu movies and can you guess which filmmaker loves kung fu movies.
A whip zoom (also referred to as a "snap zoom" or a "crash zoom") is a type of camera shot in which the camera zooms in or out quickly, allowing the viewer to focus on the subject. Another use of the whip zoom is to enable the shot to be edited as a cut from a long shot to a close up, or vice versa.
