What does tilting refer to in camerawork?

Tilting in camerawork specifically refers to the action of moving the camera lens upward or downward along the Y axis while keeping the camera in a fixed position. This movement allows the operator to change the vertical angle of the shot, which can be used to follow action, reveal or emphasize particular subjects, or to create a specific composition within the frame.

By tilting the camera, filmmakers can capture a more dynamic perspective, create a sense of height or depth, or highlight elements within a scene that might not be visible from a straight-on angle. This technique is fundamental in various types of cinematography, providing visual interest and helping to tell the story through the visual medium.

Other options describe different camera movements: moving the camera and tripod side to side refers to panning; raising and lowering the tripod describes a change in height rather than an angle; and swiveling on the X axis indicates a rotation, which is not the same as tilting.