shotlevel

Shotlevel is a term used in cinematography and photography to describe the orientation of a camera relative to the horizon. It most often refers to the roll around the camera’s forward axis, and a shot is considered level when the horizon appears parallel to the image frame.

Measurement and tools: Shotlevel is typically measured in degrees, with 0 degrees indicating a perfectly level shot. Tilt to the left or right is indicated by convention in positive or negative values. On set, shotlevel is maintained with bubble or spirit levels, electronic inclinometer devices, or built-in camera level sensors. Drones, gimbals, and some cameras provide real-time readouts and assisted leveling.

In production practice, achieving proper shotlevel supports stable framing and consistent composition, especially during pans, tilts, or when matching shots from different cameras. In post-production, minor horizon errors may be corrected through stabilization or perspective correction, though significant tilt can affect image geometry and require more extensive correction.

Term notes: Shotlevel is an informal term and may be used interchangeably with camera level or horizon alignment. It is distinct from vertical alignment and pitch, which describe up–down tilt; shotlevel specifically concerns roll to keep the horizon horizontal within the frame.

See also: camera level, horizon line, tilt, stabilization, perspective correction.