Camera shots and Angles

Camera shots and angels in media

The Medium Shot

The medium shot is very similar to basic photographs you may take,  A subject is captured from around the knees or waist to the top of the head. We can’t see their entire body, but we are close enough to establish a good strong connection with the person. We can view aspects of the background that have been permitted to appear in the frame. Medium shots are the baseline of where we will begin. Not always the most interesting, but medium shots are fundamental so are incorporated in most films.

The Close-up

the close up aims to be More intimate and ‘in your face’, the closeup aims at creating a stronger connection to the subject. Suddenly we can clearly see a person’s emotions and can easily connect with their humanity and all of there thoughts and emotions. For example If our subject is older, we may be able to see wrinkles of time, which tells a story within themselves. Close-ups are great when you want an intimate documentary style shot where the world disappears, and your subject is the clear focus.

The Long Shot

long shots are Excellent for telling stories, because  long shots allow us to see not only our subject but also their environment. Depending on how the long shot is setup, we may find a person surrounded by their environment for example there workplace  and from this we learn a bit more about their lives. Another thing long shots are used for a lot is when a subject can be surrounded by seemingly endless isolated. And the director will take loads of Long shots help us to take photographs that establish a person’s position within the world.

The Dutch Angle

Becoming increasingly criticized for its modern overuse in still photography, Dutch angles can help to tell us something about the photograph or its subject is not entirely right. Typically used to depict the world on its side, Dutch angles can be artfully utilized to tell us that something is wrong. Maybe the subject is in danger, or their state of mind isn’t properly grounded.

The Low Angle

Taking a photograph from a low angle, also know as a ‘worm’s-eye view’, makes subjects appear larger than normal. The lens sees the scene from a point of humility while the subject towers over the world. A photograph taken from a low angle to help establish dominance or power.

The High Angle

Looking at the exact opposite situation, the high angle can be used to make a subject appear small or vulnerable. Commonly known as the ‘bird’s-eye view’, shots like these may be used to signal that a subject is in danger or has lost dominance in their environment. Add a dutch angle and something bad is almost certainly about to happen.

The Extreme Close-up

The most intimate of all shots, the extreme close-up, goes beyond the standard close-up by focusing on a single feature. We may see a drop of sweat drip down a subject’s check or the fear in a pair of eyes. Close-ups may be shot with macro lenses due to how close they are to a subject. However they are shot, extreme close-ups allow us to get emotionally under the skin of our subjects.

The Over The Shoulder

An over the shoulder shot can be used to show a relationship between another persona and our subject. We take a position next to the main subject getting close-up in their space and viewing the world as if we were standing with them. We may connect our model with a physical item or another individual within their space. The over the shoulder position places us within the world of the documented subject.