拍 (pāi) means to clap, to pat, or to slap lightly. Extended to photography and film it means to shoot or take a picture: 拍照 (take a photo), 拍电影 (shoot a film), 拍视频 (shoot a video). The gesture of patting someone on the shoulder (拍肩膀) is a common comfort or encouragement action. 拍 reduplication 拍拍 conveys a gentle, repeated patting action.