A long shot gives a wide view of the visual field, and a human subject usually takes up less than half the height of the frame. (Kawin, 1987, p203).
It is generally used as an introduction shot to show the whole view of the place or surroundings, where a story is about to happen in a film.
As Bruce Mamer points out (2009), “presenting a long figure in a vast landscape will make the figure appear overwhelmed by the surroundings” (p.5). Sun Lei (2008) defines that a long shot is to manifest a role within a wide environment around, which is used to show the association between characters and environment. It usually appears in the opening scene to introduce to the audience where the story happens (p.42). Shao Qingfeng, Li Jun, Yu Jie and Peng Jiaoxue (2007) stress the significance of its description of grand scenes in highlighting the ambience (p.25).