The document discusses different camera angles used in filmmaking and provides examples. It describes close-up shots that focus on a small part of a scene like a face, extreme close-ups that magnify a small detail, and long shots that show more of the background. It also covers high and low angle shots that position the camera above or below eye-level to change perspective, and establishing shots like extreme long shots that set the scene. Each shot conveys a different meaning and level of detail and could be used in different genres for dramatic or descriptive effect.

1. Camera Angles

3. Close-up
• A Close-up shows very little background, and purely concentrates on
either a face/expression or on a specific detail/object. Everything else in
the background is just a blur. This shot magnifies the object and shows the
importance of things such as words written on paper, or the expression on
someone's face. The close-up takes us into the mind of a character/figure.
In reality, we only usually let people that we really trust get THAT close to
our face like your parents, children and lovers. Therefore a Close-up of a
face is a very intimate shot. A film-maker may use this to make us feel
extra comfortable or extremely uncomfortable about a character, and
usually uses a zoom lens in order to get the required framing.
I have chosen this frame as it shows a
good close up of a face, just like my
example. It shows her facial expression
portraying emotion in more detail so the
audience can clearly identify how they
are feeling. This shot would be used in
Drama films to convey emotions and
string themes.

4. Extreme Close-up
• An Extreme Close-up is as its name suggests, an extreme version of the
close up. It generally magnifies beyond what the human eye would
experience in reality. An extreme close-up of a face, would show only one
feature such as the mouth or eyes, with no background detail whatsoever.
This is a very artificial shot, and can be used for great dramatic effect. The
tight focus required means that extra care must be taken when setting up
and lighting the shot as the slightest camera shake or error in focal length
is very noticeable.
I have chosen this frame as an
extreme close up shows even more
detail and emotion than a close up
and it portrays even more emotion,
for example the extreme close up I
have taken of an eye could have a
tear drop under the eye showing
sadness. This shot could be used in
horror films to show the terror in
peoples eyes/facial expressions.

5. Extreme long shot
• An Extreme long shot is generally used as a scene-setting, establishing
shot. It normally shows an exterior for example, a landscape or an outside
of a building. It is quite often used in film to show scenes of thrilling action
eg in a war film or disaster movie. There is very little detail visible in the
shot due to how long the shot is. It's meant to give a general wider
overview rather than specific details.
I have chosen this frame as
clearly shows a long shot
image of a landscape giving
the audience a clear idea of
what the setting/surrounding
looks like. This shot could be
used in an Adventure film to
show the exotic place they
travelling to/exploring.

6. Long shot
• A Long shot is generally shows the image as approximately "life" size i.e
corresponding to the real distance between the audience and the screen
in a cinema (the figure of a man would appear as six feet tall). This
category includes the Full shot showing the entire human body, with the
head near the top of the frame and the feet near the bottom.
I have chosen this frame it shows a
persons whole body which is a long
shot, it is to portray that they are
life size to the audience making it
realistic on a cinema screen. This
shot could be used in an Action
film, for example of a bad guy
pointing a gun at someone.

7. Medium shot
• The Medium shot usually contains a figure from the knees/waist up and is
normally used for dialogue scenes, or to show some detail of
action/emotion. Variations on this include the Two shot (two figures from
the waist up) and the Three shot (3 figures) Any more than three figures
and the shot tends to become a long shot. There is minimal background
detail as the focus is on the figures.
I have chosen this frame as it is an
accurate portrayal of a mid-shot. It is
used a lot in dialogue scenes or to
show a limited amount of detail and
emotion. This shot could be used in a
Western film, for example it could be
two cowboys stood next to each
other in a bar.

8. The Bird’s-Eye view
• The Bird’s eye view shows a scene from directly overhead as if you were
looking down. Familiar objects viewed from this angle might seem totally
unrecognisable at first such as umbrellas in a crowd of people. This shot
does, however, put the audience in a godlike position, looking down on
the action. People can be made to look insignificant, small and ant-like.
I have chosen this shot as it shows a
birds eye view of a daisy. This shot
gives the audience an all round view
meaning they can see everything. This
shot could be used in a disaster film to
show the disaster from a birds eye
view showing the audience and
emphasising the large scale.

9. High Angle
• The High Angle is not so extreme as a bird's eye view. The camera is
elevated above the action to give a general overview. High angles make
the object photographed seem smaller, and less significant. The object or
character often gets swallowed up by their setting it’s like they become
part of a wider picture.
I have chosen this frame as it
shows the purpose of a high
angle shot greatly. The high
angle shot is used to make the
thing look smaller, less
significant. This shot could be
used in a thriller/horror film to
portray the villain/monster
standing over the victim.

10. Eye level
• Eye level is A fairly neutral shot; the camera is positioned as though it is a
human actually observing a scene, so that, for example, actors' heads are
on a level with the focus. It is as if you are on the same level as the
person/object looking straight at them. The camera will be placed
approximately five to six feet from the ground when taking an Eye level
shot of a person.
I have chosen this frame as it conveys
the equal level to the camera as an
eye level shot should. It makes the
audience feel as if they are on the
same level as the character/object
looking straight at them/it. This shot
could be used in a Romance film, for
example a shot of people kissing.

11. Low Angle
• Low Angles increase height which useful for short actors and give a sense
of speeded motion. Low angles help give a sense of confusion to a viewer,
of powerlessness within the action of a scene. The background of a low
angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling, the lack of detail about the
setting adding to the disorientation of the viewer. The added height of the
object may make it inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer, who is
psychologically dominated by the figure on the screen due to the camera
angle.
I have chosen this frame as it
shows a low angle of a tree. This
shot makes the tree look
significant and big. Basically the
opposite of a high shot. This shot
is sometimes used in films to
make short actors look taller and
can be seen in Action films.