Which camera movement involves the camera moving closer to or away from a subject?

The movement described in the question, where the camera moves closer to or farther away from a subject, is referred to as a dolly move. This type of movement involves physically moving the camera on a wheeled platform, known as a dolly, which allows for smooth and controlled transitions toward or away from the subject. By doing so, filmmakers can create an immersive experience, emphasizing the subject's importance or revealing more of the surrounding environment as the camera adjusts its position.

In contrast, pan involves rotating the camera horizontally around its mount while stationary, which does not change the camera's distance to the subject. Trucking, often confused with dolly, typically refers to moving the camera laterally (side to side), again without changing proximity. Zoom, while it can alter the perceived distance to the subject, accomplishes this through adjusting the lens rather than moving the camera itself. Therefore, dolly is the movement that accurately matches the action of approaching or withdrawing from the subject.