This document provides descriptions of various camera shots and their purposes and connotations in filmmaking. It explains that extreme close-ups are used to show emotion or draw attention to important objects, close-ups are used to show facial expressions and dialogue, and mid-shots capture body language and relationships between characters. It also outlines the uses of long shots, over-the-shoulder shots, bird's-eye views, panoramic shots, low and high angle shots, and various camera movements like panning, tracking, tilting, crane shots, and canted angles. The document serves as a guide to how different types of camera work can be used to convey meaning, emotion, and information to viewers.

1. Media guide to camera work
In this booklet you will find the many types
of camera shots and their connotations.
By Chelsey Pitwell

2. Extreme Close up!
• Extreme close ups are used for specific uses that are
significant to the narrative. For example a picture of an
eye , this can show the emotion. Often used in horror
films to show the fear or train of thought of the
character. – this helps the audience to understand. It is
also used for an object to show an action that is
happening that ends up being a pinnacle point in the
story for example someone pressing the big red button
that lets of missiles that go to destroy a planet.

3. Close up!
• Close ups are used to show
facial expression and to
show emotions of a
character giving the
audience an understanding
of the character which can
be important to the story . It
is also used to show dialogue
and make it easier to see
who is talking and when.

4. Mid shot / two shot!
• Mid shots are used to show body language and
emotion. It captures the character emotions and gives
you a better understanding of how the feel. It also
shows relationships of characters and interactions. It
also shows costume and relating to mise-en-scene
shows the time period / social class ect.

5. Long shot!
• Long shots are
used to capture
an action shot.
There is room
to show
relationship
between
characters and
locations.

6. Over the shoulder
• Over the shoulder shots
are used to show a
conversation between
people and have an
understanding of who's
talking and to
understand who's
talking and when. It also
shows the emotion and
the characters reactions
to each other in great
detail.

7. Birds eye view
• A birds eye view is to
capture a photo / scene
from a high angle , this
shows the location and
setting.
• Also from a high angle shot
like this looking down on a
person and it can make
them look weak and
minuscule . Demeaning the
character.

8. Panoramic
• Panoramic shots are there to set the scene and
location. They normally start at beginning of a
scene when it buts to another location so the
audience doesn’t look track of what's happening
and have an understanding of location. When it is
used at the beginning of a scene this is known as
a MASTER SHOT or ESTABLISHING SHOT.

9. Low/ high angle shot
• A low angle shot is used to
show the power / authority
over someone making the
character look like it is very
important
• A high angle shot is used to
show the character as
demeaning and less
important.

10. Panning movement
• Panning movements are
normally when a
camera is placed on a
tripod and it is rotated
left or right to follow
action or a moving
person/ object. You get
a clean and straight shot
because its resting on a
tripod so it’s a clear
picture without any
jagged motion.

11. Tracking movement
• Tracking movements are used to go along side
the action . Normally on a track going at the
same pace as the character. You see these
normally in big film studious and out on
location. They are very easy to do and involve
the audience in the action.

12. Tilt movement
• Tilt movements are
vertically opposite to a
panning shot , they stay in
the same position but they
tilt vertically instead of
horizontally normally to
capture a action scene or
to show the enormity of a
object etc.

13. Crane shot
• Crane shots are to get movement into your
film and make it dynamic. Normally filmed on
a cherry picker to Capture every bit of action
going on.

14. Canted angle
• When the horizon is at an angle, it connotes
all is not well and shows disaster to show that
the worlds not right.
If it’s a point of view shot its to show that
someone is drunk/ infirm/ fallen over.