2. Camera Angles
Different camera angles can portray different moods, making the
subject look weak and vulnerable or make them look strong and
powerful. As well as being able to convey information or state of mind
of the subject.
3. Low Angle
A low angle is what you get when the camera is lowered below the
subject. If you are looking up at someone who is either standing above
you or bigger than you, you will perceive that subject as powerful or
even threatening. However, if within the right context the subject can
be perceived as superior, or noble, or even heroic.
4. High Angle
The high angle camera looks down on its subject. This is the reverse of
the low angle shot. It can make the subject look smaller, weaker and
more vulnerable.
5. Extreme High Angle (Bird’s-Eye View)
This positions the camera directly above the subject. This provides a
disorientated view, this can shock audiences or present an unnatural or
strange situation.
6. Dutch/Oblique Angle
This angle signifies that something strange is going on in the shot by
slanting the cameras level which will change the horizontal and vertical
viewpoints that we are used to. This will make the audience feel off
balanced.
8. Extreme Longshots
The extreme long shot shows mainly background information and is
very useful for establishing the general location, depicting a character
dwarfed by their environment and depicting large scale action
9. Long Shot
This kind of shot is often used as an establishing shot, and is usually
used at the beginning or end of a scene as it balances subject
information and general location and background information. These
shots are useful to depict the actions of the subject and the physical
and psychological detail.
10. Full Shot
This shot contains the subject from head to toe with a reduced
background view, thus conveying more physical and psychological
detail. The subject will dominate the frame, thus an increased
significance.
11. Medium Shot
The medium shot frames the subject from somewhere around the
waist up, the subject is getting big enough in the frame as to where the
background gains insignificance. With this shot we can increasingly
read subtle psychological and physical information.
12. Close Up
A close up is purely subject, with the background information virtually
eliminated. With only one face on the screen any slight changes in
expression takes on a large amount of significance. For this reason
close ups are used to highlight any important dramatic moments.
13. Extreme Close Up
This shot fills up the frame with just a fragment of the subject. When in
the right context the extreme close up can anticipate the importance or
use of an object. Another significance of an extreme close up is it can
give a subject a symbolic value.
18. Crane Shot
The crane shot creates a smooth shot, and can move in any direction,
especially vertically. However, you don’t actually need a crane for a
crane shot, you can often use cheaper alternatives like the Jib Arm.
19. Steadicam
This is a harness device with a series of sophisticated hydraulics and
counterweight to combine the mobility of a hand held camera along
with the smoothness of a tracking shot.
20. Handheld
This is a purposely shaky shot to indicate a distressed state of mind or
chaotic situations.
