A Cowboy Shot is a medium shot framing that captures a subject from approximately mid-thigh to the top of the head, positioned so that their hands and any objects they might be holding, such as a gun or tool, are visible within the frame. The name originates from Western films, where this framing was used to show both a gunfighter's face and their holstered weapon simultaneously, emphasizing readiness and the potential for action.

The framing strikes a balance between the intimacy of a close-up and the environmental context of a wider shot. It keeps the focus on the character while providing enough of the surrounding space to establish their stance, posture, and relationship to the immediate environment. The cowboy shot is frequently used in action scenes, confrontations, and moments where a character's physical readiness or body language is as important as their facial expression. It remains a staple framing choice across genres beyond Westerns, particularly in action and thriller filmmaking.

In AI image and video generation, specifying a cowboy shot gives models clear guidance on subject framing and helps avoid the ambiguity of terms like medium shot, which can be interpreted with more variation. It is particularly useful when generating character-focused content where both facial detail and physical presence need to be captured in the same frame.