This document provides an overview of various camera techniques used in photography and filmmaking. It discusses different types of shots including close-ups, medium shots, and long shots used to frame subjects. It also covers camera angles like high angles and low angles used to influence perception. Additionally, it outlines different types of camera movement like tilting, panning, tracking shots and different levels like eye-level and canted angles. The document also discusses concepts like composition, use of color, exposure, and post-production visual effects techniques like green screening.

1. A guide to camerawork and photography techniques
Framing
Medium shot: This is a shot that is used
generally for dialogue and for the audience to
capture the emotion of the character. This shot is
taken from the waist up.
Close up: This shot is typically used to capture
the detail of what is being taken. This shot is
just for the face.
Long shot: This shot is used to show the audience the
whole of the character from head to toe. This is to
show the audience a life size image so that it looks
more realistic.
Medium close up: This is a shot which shows the
audience the character from the shoulders up. This
tightly frames a person or an object.

2. Extreme close up: This is to show the audience people and
objects differently to how we see them. It shows the audience
even more detail.
Medium long shot: This is a shot that is taken from the
knees up. It shows the object or person in relation to its
surroundings.
Establishing shot:
An establishing shot is normally the first shot of a new scene. This is to show the audience
where exactly the scene or the action is taking place. This type of shot is usually a very wide
shot or an extreme long shot.

3. Overhead:
An overhead shot is also called a bird’s eye view. It puts the viewer in position where they
are looking down on the action as if they are a bird or a plane. This angle is used for
dramatic effect and to show a different perspective on the scene.
Point of View Shot (POV):
A point of view shot is a shot which shows the scene from the characters perspective view
the camera. It creates a dramatic effect to the audience.

4. Two-Shot:
This is a camera shot which basically involves two people. They do not have to be next to
each other but they usually are.
Over shoulder shot:
This type of shot is shown from the perspective from the shoulder of another person. This
type of shot is taken from behind another person.

5. Angles:
High angle: A high angle shot is a shot that is used when someone of a higher class is
talking to someone below them or of a lower class to them. It is often used to make the
person seem small.
Low angle: This type of shot is to make someone look strong and powerful and is typically
used on men.

6. Height:
For height, there are a load of different ways for a photograph to be taken.
Camera Angles for Seated Subjects
The lower angle of approach isn’t the best for this subject
because it creates too much weight in the lower portion of the
image
The shot at bust level is a good one, with even body
proportions and a balanced head to body ratio which is
good because when it comes to photography, you want to
make it look realistic and not fake.
This effect brings the face closer but makes the body smaller
than what it actually is. This normally isn’t the best option,
especially for photography and models.

7. Camera Angles for Standing Subjects
When photographing standing subjects, camera height determines the base and size of the
model’s body. Choosing the appropriate camera height for your subject is key to creating a
balanced portrait.
This angle creates the illusion of the body being bigger
than what it actually is.
This creates an image in which the body appears balanced and
natural. This is good for photography because you want the
photo to be realistic and to look good. You don’t want to make
the person look like something they are not.
This camera angle shows the person smaller than what they
actually are and decreases their body image. This can be
valuable to some people but it can be less balanced to many
other people.

8. Camera Angles for Head Shots
Portraits from the bust up, capturing the head and shoulders of your subject, are also
affected by camera height
Taking a photograph at a
lower angle can create a
fuller face for the person.
When you are taking a
photograph above the
eye, will increase the
head size and will distort
the overall balance of the
face. Taking a photograph
of someone at bust level
will create a more natural
look.
This type of shot opens up the face and makes the body
smaller than what it actually is. This can be good when you
are taking photographs because you are making the face
more defined.
Level:
In camerawork and photography, there are different types of levels that you can use. These
can be used in filming or when you are doing photography.
Straight (eye-level):
An eye level shot is one of the shots
that is most commonly used as the
camera is placed at the subject’s
height. So if the actor is looking at
the camera lens, they won’t have to
look up or down. Eye level shots are
very common because they are
neutral and they don’t have any
dramatic effect. The eye level shot is
mostly used for romantic comedies
and news casting and presenting on
a TV show.

9. Canted:
A canted angle is an angle that
is deliberately slanted to either
the left side or the right side.
This type of angle is sometimes
used for dramatic effect to
portray disorientation. So for
example they might use this type
of angle in a plane crash scene.
Movement
Tilt: This type of camera movement is moving the camera up or down whilst keeping the
camera upright and level. For example, when you nod your head, this is a tilt.
Pan: This is moving the camera from side to side.
Dolly: This type of movement is moving the camera to an object or person and from an
object or person.
Hand-held: This is when the camera is held by the camera operator if the action is moving
too quickly for the camera to be on a tri-pod (You can also use a steady cam).
Crane: This is a crane that is able to lift a camera to a height in which the person can’t get
to. For example a high building.
Static: This is a shot where it has no movement.
Whip pan: This is a type of pan shot where the camera moves too quickly that it blurs
almost as if it is a transition to another scene. This can indicate the passage of time.
Tracking: This is a shot where the camera is moving alongside another object. So in a car
chase, this type of shot would be used.
Composition
Composition is organising a photograph in a certain way to suit the target audience.
Aspect Ratio: This is basically the
ratio of the width and the height of the
image on the screen.

10. Rule of Thirds: This is the use of 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines that cross each other.
The idea is that it is a more natural way of placing an object. This can be used in
photography or film.
Depth of Field: This focuses on the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects in
a scene.
Colour
Colour in photography is used to create emotion for the audience.
Warm colours: Warm colours are often known as reds,
oranges and yellows. They are often represented as
exciting colours and contrast with the cold colours.
Cold colours: These types of
colours are often seen as
green, blue and purple. These are often seen as colours that
represent being dull.

11. Monochromatic Colours:
A monochromatic colour is used to
attract the audience’s attention as they
are colours that will stand out to the
specific audience.
Exposure:
The exposure of a photo is how light or
how dark the scene is. So if you were
filming an upsetting scene, you would
have a dark exposure because that
would suit the scene. However if you
were filming a happy scene, you would
use a light exposure.
Colour filters:
Colour filters are sometimes used to create
a special effect. You can have a colour lens
filter which would be used for black and
white film photography. When you use one
of these filters, it corrects the bad lighting
when you are filming so it creates a better
image.

12. Visual effects:
A visual effect, is made on a computer in the post production stage, and would sometimes
use CGI which is Computer Generated Imagery. So when you are making an animation, you
would use a visual effect using CGI.
Green screen:
People use a green screen as it is the less common
colour that people wear as a clothing colour. If you
wore a green top, and you were standing in front of a
green screen, you wouldn’t have a top half of your
body. A green screen is also used because it is a
colour that doesn’t attract any light.
Blue Screen:
This is the most common screen as it is a dark
colour, and it is the cheapest and it works well
with dark light. The blue screen does the exact
same job as the green screen but it is a different
colour and is cheaper for the production
company.
CGI (Computer Generated Imagery):
CGI is the creation of still or animated visual content with an imaging software. CGI is used
to create images for many purposes including visual art, advertising, architectural design,
television shows and many more. You can make 2D or 3D images using ray tracing.