Basic description of various shots and angles used in film with examples taken from the film Hero (2002)

1. Cinematography
Hero (2002)
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2. Camera shots and angles
The position of the camera and the composition
of the frame can create all sorts of effects.
The further away the camera is the more fits in
the frame. The closer the camera is the more
detail we see.
The height the camera is placed in relative to its
subject can make characters appear imposing or
submissive.

3. Extreme Long Shot
Often used at the start of a film
to establish the scene. Usually
an exterior shot, an extreme
long shot contains a large
amount of landscape. It is
commonly used in epics.

4. Long Shot
A shot taken from
a distance
containing some
landscape.

5. Full Shot
Shows the entire object or
character . Often used to
display a costume or the
relationship between
characters.

6. Midshot
In between a full shot
and a close-up it shows
most of a subject’s body.
It is one of the most
common shots.

7. Close-up
A close up contains
just the character’s
face. It is used to help
convey the emotion of
the character.

8. Extreme Close-up
A close-up containing
only one part or detail
of a subject.

9. Eye Level Shot
The camera is placed
at the same level as
the subject. It is
considered a neutral
shot.

10. High-level Angle
The camera is placed at
an angle looking down on
the subject. Often used to
make a character look
inferior.

11. Low-Angle
The camera is
placed at an angle
below the subject.
It is can make a
character look
dominant.

12. A Bird’s Eye angle
Also known as an
aerial shot, the
camera is placed
high above the
scene.

13. Worm’s Eye Angle
The opposite of a
Bird’s eye angle, the
camera is placed
directly below the
scene.

14. Dutch tilt
A dutch tilt is taken at
an angle. It is
disorientating for the
viewer so is often used
to convey a state of
emotional distress.