2. Camera Shots
• Camera shots are very important in Media
texts such as magazines, television, film
and advertisement. Different shots give
different meanings.
• Camera angles and movements combine
to create a sequence of images, just as
words, word order and punctuation
combine to make the meaning of a
sentence.
3. The extreme Close-up
The extreme close up is used to reveal very small
details in the scene. It might be used to reveal horror in
a subject (extreme close up of the subject's mouth as
she/he screams). It might also be used in a mystery to
show some detail that the detective picks up on or to
show some small clue.
4. The Close up
The close up shot is
used to reveal detail. If
you are shooting just
the head and shoulders
of a subject this is a
close up.
5. Head and shoulders
The head and
shoulders shot is used
in news broadcasts. If
you think about the
television news you
will realize that this
shot reveals enough
detail to see the
subject's lips move
and the expression on
her/his face.
6. The Medium Shot
The medium shot
is from just below
the waist to above
the head. There is
more headroom
than in the bust
shot. This show is
used if the person
is animated with
their hand
movements, etc.
8. The extreme long shot
Also known as the
Establish shot, this
gives the viewer
some perspective as
to where the subject
is. This is very
important if the
subject is moving to
new locations or
times. It lets the
viewer know where
the video is taking
place.
9. Two shot
Two-shots are composed
when two people are in
the scene and their
interaction is important. A
two-shot is a good way to
introduce a conversation.
From the introduction you
might cut to an over the
shoulder shot of one
person talking or a close-
up of the other person
reacting to what is being
said.
10. Over the shoulder
The over the shoulder shot reveals one subject as seen
from over the shoulder of another subject. It simulates a
view of the subject as seen from the second person's
eyes. This shot is often used in conversations between
two people where the dirtector wants to focus on the
person speaking. Usually these shots are head shots
(close ups of the speaker).
11. Camera Angles
The relationship between the camera and the object being photographed (ie
the ANGLE) gives emotional information to an audience, and guides their
judgment about the character or object in shot. The more extreme the angle
(ie the further away it is from eye left), the more symbolic and heavily-loaded
the shot.
• 1. The Bird's-Eye view
This shows a scene from directly overhead, a very unnatural and strange
angle. Familiar objects viewed from this angle might seem totally
unrecognisable at first (umbrellas in a crowd, dancers' legs). This shot does,
however, put the audience in a godlike position, looking down on the action.
A cameraman, raised above the action, gets a high angle shot
• 2. High Angle
Not so extreme as a bird's eye view. The camera is elevated above the
action using a crane to give a general overview. High angles make the
object photographed seem smaller, and less significant (or scary). The
object or character often gets swallowed up by their setting - they become
part of a wider picture.
12. Camera Angles
• 3. Eye Level
A fairly neutral shot; the camera is positioned as though
it is a human actually observing a scene, so that eg
actors' heads are on a level with the focus. The camera
will be placed approximately five to six feet from the
ground.
• 4. Low Angle
These increase height (useful for short actors like Tom
Cruise or James McAvoy) 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.
