basic overview of Camera shots and angles

1. CAMERA SHOTS
• In this lesson we’ll be learning about
the main camera shots and camera
angles that are used during filming.

2. A. Camera Shots
• There are 3 main types of shots that describe how near
or how far the camera is from the subject:
• Any of these shots can show one subject or more at the
same time.
1. Long shot.
2. Medium shot.
3. Close-up shot.

3. 1. A Long shot shows the whole subject:
an entire boat on the water….

4. …a car down the street.

5. • The Long shot is used to
show the full human
figure and provides a clear
view of the environment
or setting where we find
the character.

6. • An Establishing long shot
This shot will tell the viewer
the geographical location of
the scene, for example if the
scene was inside a house,
then the establishing shot
might be, the shot of the
town or city the house is in,
then the shot of the house,
then the scene inside the
house.

7. • A full shot is a variation
on the long shot,
showing the full subject
in the forground, with
the feet at the bottom
on the frame and the
head at the top of the
frame.

9. • An extreme long shot is used
to show landscapes or provide
a view of a whole world eg: A
city, a town, or even a galaxy
where the story is set.

10. 2. A medium shot shows about half of the subject.
•

11. • Medium shot shows
the human body from
mid-shin or mid-thigh
up and is often used
to show interaction
between two or more
characters.

12. • A medium shot shows
the subject in relation
to its immediate
surroundings.

14. 3. A close-up
only shows one
part of the
subject, usually in
great detail.

15. • A close-up or an
extreme close-up, would
include shots of a
person’s face, or the
paws of a dog walking
down a path, of a hand
on a doorbell, or a tree
branch.

16. •In close-ups, we can
understand how a
character feels; “get
into the head” of
that character.

17. • Close-ups of
“things” may
help to clarify
action.

18. B. Camera Angles
In addition to camera shots, the camera angle is also important.
The angle from which a shot is taken is another way to give
variety as well as information.
1. High Angle
2. Eye-level
3. Low Angle
4. Reverse Angle
5. Oblique Angle

19. 1. A high angle shot positions the camera above eye-level, looking
down on the subject, which consequently appears insignificant,
weak, helpless, or small according to how extreme the angle is.

20. •Sometimes it’s just a good angle…..

21. 2. At eye level, the impression is neutral.

23. 3. A low angle shot has the camera looking up at the subject, which then
appears important, powerful, or domineering, again depending on how
exaggerated the angle is.

25. 4. Usually the camera looks at the subject,
but with reverse angle the camera shows what the subject is seeing.

26. The most common type of reverse
angle it the “over the shoulder” shot

27. 5. The oblique angle is shot by laterally tilting the camera frame and making
the characters or objects look askew.

29. C. Camera Movement
Another way to give television programs and films variety
is for the camera to move.
1. Panning
2. Tracking
3. Elevating
4. Dollying
5. Tilting
6. Zooming In/Out

30. 1. Panning: When the camera stays in the same
position but turns left or right.
2. Tracking: When the camera changes its position
by moving left or right.

31. 3. Elevating: when the camera changes its position
by moving up or down.
4. Dollying: Changing the camera’s position by
moving it forward or backward.

32. 5. Tilting: When the camera stays in the same position but
turns up or down.
6. Zooming In/Out: Even when the camera is stationary it
can appear to move closer to, or further from, it’s subject by
using a special ring or lever on the lens.