What is the movement described by a tilt in camera work?

In camera work, a tilt refers specifically to the movement of the camera on a horizontal axis that allows the lens to point upwards or downwards. This action creates the effect of changing the vertical framing of the shot, which is why "moving up or down along a vertical axis" is the correct interpretation of a tilt. When the camera tilts, it reveals different aspects of the scene, such as a tall building or a character's expression, by adjusting the angle from which the subject is viewed vertically.

The other options describe different camera techniques: rotating side to side refers to panning, zooming in or out on a subject pertains to changing the focal length of the lens without changing the camera's position, and changing the shot from wide to close involves resizing the composition of the scene rather than physically moving the camera vertically. Understanding these distinctions helps in accurately describing camera movements and their effects in storytelling through visual media.