Which shot captures the head and shoulders area of a subject?

The bust shot specifically focuses on the head and shoulders of a subject, making it ideal for capturing facial expressions and subtle details while still providing a little context from the shoulders up. This framing allows the viewer to engage more closely with the subject's emotions and reactions, which is particularly valuable in situations like interviews, where the speaker's expressions can convey as much as their words.

While a medium shot generally includes the subject from the waist up and a close-up emphasizes just the face, the bust shot uniquely balances the intimate portrayal with enough background to suggest the subject's posture and stability. An extreme close-up goes even further than a close-up, often isolating specific features such as the eyes or mouth, which might not capture the overall presence of the subject in the way a bust shot does.