This document defines and describes various camera shots, angles, movements, and composition techniques used in filmmaking and photography. It provides details on establishing shots, wide shots, long shots, mid shots, close ups, point of view shots, and others. It also discusses high angles, low angles, panning, zooming, and composition elements like balance, symmetry, and the rule of thirds. The purpose of each technique is given, such as setting the scene, showing character details, revealing information, and directing audience attention.

1. CAM SAM and Composition
By: Denise O’Brein, Kate-lyn Aranda, Annamaria Noto and Amanda Abi-
Khalil

2. Camera Shots
• Establishing shot
• Wide shot
• Long shot
• Mid/ medium shot
• Close up shot
• Extreme close up shot
• Point of view
• Over the shoulder shot
• Two shot
• Overhead shot

3. Establishing shot
Establishing shot is
when you take a
photo of enough
information to set a
scene.
The reason an
establishing shot is
used is to set a scene so
that the audience gets
the general gist of the
setting and
whereabouts the film
or photos are set.

4. Wide shot
Wide shot is when a
frame shows information.
The purpose of a wide shot is
so the audience sees more
information about the setting
of the film.

5. Long shot
Long shot is when the
audience can see the
object in the frame as well
as background.
The reason long shot is used
is because it shows who is in
the scene and also helps to
show what the character is
doing as well as to introduce
them.

6. Mid/medium shot
Mid shot is when the
subject can be seen from
torso above.
The reason mid shots are used is
because it helps to show the
characters body language.

7. Close up shot
Close up shot is when an
object is focused on and
zoomed in on.
The purpose of a close up is
so that the object can be seen
in detail.

8. Extreme close up shot
Extreme close up is when an
object is extremely zoomed in.
The purpose of an extreme
close up is to show the
audience the characters
expressions in even more
detail.

9. Point of view (POV)
Point of view is when a
frame is taken in the
point of view of the
character or object.
The purpose of a point of
view shot is so that the
audience can see the frame
from the characters
perspective.

10. Over the shoulder shot
Over the shoulder shot is
when the frame is taken
from an angle in which the
shoulder of one character
can be seen but the other
characters front can be
seen.
The reason over the
shoulder is used is to
either show dominance or
inferiority. Or it could be
to show that a private
conversation could be at
place.

11. Two shot
Two shot is when two
characters are in a frame.
The purpose of a two shot is to
show the possibility of a
conversation.

12. Overhead shot
Overhead shot is when a
subject is taken a photo or
filmed from above.
The purpose of an
overhead shot is so the
audience can see what the
characters are doing from a
birds eye view.

13. Camera Angles
• High angle
• Low angle
• Oblique/canted angle

14. High angle
A high angle is taken from
a higher place that looks
down at a
character/characters or a
subject. Purpose...
It is often used to make a
character/characters or a
subject appear smaller, or
potentially vulnerable or
weak.

15. Low angle
A low angle is taken from a
lower place that looks up
at a character or a subject.
Purpose...
It is often used to make a
character or subject appear
bigger, possibly more
dominant or powerful.

16. Canted/oblique angle
Purpose...
A canted/oblique angle
makes what is shot appear
tilted or skewed.
It could be used to
disorientate the audience.

17. Camera Movements
• Pan
• Tilt
• Track
• Zoom
• Reverse zoom
• Dolly

18. Pan
Pan is when the camera
pivots horizontally either
from left to right, or right
to left.
• In order to reveal more
information (e.g. a
setting)
• To give the viewer a
panoramic view.
• Sometimes used to
establish a scene that
can't fit in one
shot/frame.

19. Tilt
Opposite to pan: Tilt is
when the camera pivots
vertically either from top
to bottom, or bottom to
top.
• Often used to reveal a
whole outfit of a
character.
• To reveal more
information (e.g. a
setting, objects,
characters e.t.c).

20. Track
Movement of camera from
side to side.
This is used to follow a
subject without the harsh
use of many camera
angles.

21. Zoom
Zoom is when the camera
zooms in towards the
subject or character.
This is used to zoom into a
character or subject to
reveal more detail.

22. Reverse zoom
when the camera reverse
zooms out from a subject
or character.
This is used to reveal more
detail about the characters
or subject surroundings.

23. Dolly
When a camera moves in
and out or backwards and
forwards around a
character or subject.
This is used when wanting
to show all angles of the
setting whilst creating
smooth camera
movement.

24. Composition
• Balance
• Symmetry
• Asymmetry
• Rule of thirds
• Shallow focus
• Deep focus
• Focus pulls

25. Balance
Balance is the way objects or
subjects are placed in a frame to
show balance or equalness in colour,
size or texture.
The reason Balance is used is so
that no one part of a work
overpowers, or seems heavier than
any other part.

26. Symmetry
Symmetry is when the shot is
equally symmetrical or balanced
on both sides.
The reason Symmetry is used is
because it shows a form of
order, normalness or
organisation.

27. Asymmetry
Asymmetry is when the
shot is unbalanced on
both sides.
The reason asymmetry is used
is to show a form of disorder
and chaos.

28. Rule of thirds
Rule of thirds is a composition
rule in which photos are to be
taken using a grid of nine equal
parts.
The reason rule of thirds is used
is because technique claims that
aligning an object with these
points creates more tension,
energy and interest in the
composition rather than
centering the object.

29. Shallow focus
Shallow focus is when one plane of
the image is in focus whilst the rest is
out of focus.
The reason shallow focus is used is
to emphasize one part of the image
over another.

30. Deep focus
Deep focus is when the entire image
is in focus.
The reason deep focus is used
is to emphasise on the entire
image rather than a specific
object in the frame.

31. Focus pulls
Focus pull is
when you
change the focus
from one object
to another
during a shot.
The reason deep focus is
used is because the
change in focus
emphasises on the
character or object that
the producer or
photographer want the
audience to see.