Editing Tracking shot (section)

{{Short description|Shot in which the camera follows backward, forward or moves alongside the subject being recorded}}
{{redirect|Dollying|the mining process|Dolly pot}}
[[File:AlamoFilming.jpg|thumb|right|During filming of ''[[The Alamo (2004 film)|The Alamo]]'', a tracking shot was used during a battle scene]]
[[File:Newton stabilized remote camera head on a tracking car.jpg|thumb|Creating long steady tracking shots with a remote controlled film camera on a Newton stabilized head and a Flowcine Black arm.]]

In [[cinematography]], a '''tracking shot''' is any [[Shot (filmmaking)|shot]] where the [[film camera|camera]] follows backward, forward or moves alongside the subject being recorded. Mostly the camera’s position is parallel to the character, creating a sideway motion, tracking the character. Tracking shots (also called travel shots) differ in motion from dolly shots, where the camera follows behind or before the character resulting in either an inward or an outward movement. Often the camera is mounted on a [[camera dolly]] which rides on rails similar to a railroad track; in this case, the shot is referred to as a '''dolly shot'''. A handheld steadycam or gimbal may also be used for smaller scale productions. The camera is then pushed along the track while the scene is being filmed, or moved manually when using a handheld rig. The effect can be used to create a sense of movement, to follow a character or object, or a sense of immersion to draw the viewer into the action.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Dolly Shot: Creative Uses of Camera Movements, Shots, Angles - By Jason Hellerman |url=https://cinemagics.com/the-dolly-shot-creative-uses-of-camera-movements-shots-angles-by-jason-hellerman |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.cinemagics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Trotter |first=David |date=2010-04-28 |title=Hitchcock's Modernism |url=https://euppublishing.com/doi/pdf/10.3366/mod.2010.0008?download=true |journal=Modernist Cultures |volume=5 |pages=122–123 |doi=10.3366/mod.2010.0008 |issn=2041-1022 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The technique is often used to follow a subject that would otherwise leave the frame (thus also called a '''following shot'''), such as an actor or vehicle in motion.<ref>Blain Brown. ''Cinematography: Theory and Practice : I:) magemaking for Cinematographers, Directors & Videographers''. Focal Press, 2002; pg. 66; {{ISBN|0240805003}}.</ref> A handheld or [[Steadicam]] mounted camera following a similar trajectory is called a tracking shot as well. In fact a tracking shot can use any manual or motorized conveyance, and may include [[Long take|careful planning]] for passing the camera between vehicles or modes. While the core idea is that the camera moves parallel to its subject, a tracking shot may move in a circular or semi-circular fashion, rotating around its subject while remaining equidistant.<ref>Mercado, Gustavo. ''The Filmmaker's Eye: Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition''. Focal Press, 2010; pg. 155; {{ISBN|0240812174}}.</ref>

This kind of shot, in which the camera itself moves along with the subject or in relationship to it, should not be confused with [[Panning (camera)|panning]], in which the camera remains stationary but pivots right or left on its axis.<ref>Dirks, Tim. ''Film Terms Glossary.'' {{cite web|title=''Film Terms Glossary: pan (or panning shot, or panoramic shot)''|url=https://www.filmsite.org/filmterms15.html|website=filmsite.org}}</ref>