What is a camera crane jib ?

What is a camera crane jib ?

Jibs are special support equipment that allows camera operators to achieve a few specialized camera shots that would be very difficult, or even impossible, to do without. A jib, also referred to as a crane, mounts a camera onto one of its ends and has a counterweight on the other side. Imagine a jib like a see-saw. Camera operators can smoothly lift and lower cameras using the jib, while the counterbalance keeps the shot smooth. Jibs are used to capture what is referred to as a crane shot. You see these kinds of shots a lot in cinema.