Basic Camera Shots

The slideshow below is a series of pictures I have taken to explore different camera shots and angles:

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Camera Shots

Still Shots:

High Angle = A camera angle that looks down upon a subject or object. Often used to make the subject or object appear small or vulnerable, creating the feel of insignificance of the object or that they’re threatened.

Low Angle = A camera angle that looks up at a subject or object. Often used to make the subject or object appear more powerful or with a higher status. It creates a feel of menace that you’re looking up to a more dominant subject.

Over The Shoulder = Looking from behind a character’s shoulder, at a subject. The character facing the subject usually occupies 1/3 of the frame, giving the impression of some sort of relationship between the two characters, it also places the audience in position of the character facing the subject.

Tilt =  The camera is at an angle, this creates confusion and disorientation, connotations to a nightmare as this shot can be recognised from horror and thriller genres.

Long Shot = This shot can establish location and any action which is happening. It quickly makes it clear to the audience about what’s going on.

Medium Close Up = This brings the focus into the character, background still visible, but most of the focus goes to the subject in the majority of the frame.

Close Up = This can be used for the audience to identify with the character, able to view the subjects full facial profile, which can also mean they view the characters emotions about an event.

Extreme Close Up = A shot where a part of a face or body of a character fills the whole frame and dominates the frame, this is used to identify with the character to a high degree. Focusing on something so intently can mean the audience can really understand what is happening.

Bird’s Eye View Shot = Is an overhead shot = A type of camera shot in which the camera is positioned above the character, action or object being filmed. This gives the audience a different perspective of the action, adding to appeal.

Worm’s Eye View Shot = This can often be used to indicate fear and the audience can see the action from the characters vulnerable perspective.

Moving Shots:

Panning Shot = Where the camera pivots horizontally, either from right to left or left to right to reveal a set or setting. This can be used to give the viewer a panoramic view. Sometimes used to establish a scene and set the scene.

Tracking Shot =  A shot where the camera follows a subject or object. A tracking shot can include smooth movements forward, backward, along the side of the subject. ‘Track’ refers to rails in which a wheeled platform (which has the camera on it) sits on in order to carry out smooth movement.

Point of View Shot = Shows a view from the subject’s perspective. This shot is usually edited so that the viewer is aware who’s point of view it is. You see the scene or event from that characters shoes, so see it from their position.

Shot Reverse Shot = This can be an ‘Over the Shoulder’ shot, from both perspectives. Where the character facing the subject, then becomes the subject, the subject becoming the character facing them. This then switches back again. This implies a conversation, or relationship between the characters.

Beneath is my embedded YouTube video that I shot and edited together to show a basic visual explanation of each of the still and moving shots. I decided to keep this simple, using ambient lighting and non-diegetic sound.
The intro and ending of this short video was made by stock-frame animation, where I edited the still images together.
I wanted to make something which was both creative and informative of the shots, I had a lot of fun putting this together and exploring each of the camera angles, hope you enjoy it!