Camera Shots and Angles

 

Camera Shots

                                                                               

Extreme Long/ Establishing

This is an extremely long/establishing shot, the character is extremely far from the lens, and you can see where the character is. This shot is used to provide context to where they are and what the characters are doing. It can also be used to show the relationship between the character and the setting. It's usually at the beginning of the show/movie or the start of a scene change. 

 

Mid shot

Medium shots, from the waist up, and Mid-long shots, from the knees, up are used to show the setting and characters in an equal light. It allows the viewer to see the character’s gestures facial expressions, costume, etc. Medium shots can evoke emotions like loneliness or power. These shots are the most common in tv and occur throughout the entire piece. 

Close up shots

Close-up shots occur when an object or person is extremely close to the camera taking up the whole screen or the majority of it. They can show intimacy between characters, and for objects, they can show significance or grave detail. These shots usually are foreshadowing an event in the show/movie and occur at intense moments in media. 

Point Of View shot

POV shots are the first-person points of view from a particular character, showing exactly what they see. These shots are used to establish or explain a storyline. POV shots also connect the audience with the characters, emotionally i.e. sadness, humor, or anger. They are often used in junction with pan and tilt movement shots.

Camera Angles

                                                      High Angle

High angles occur when the camera is pointed down at a character or object from an elevated view. It shows the inferiority of the character depicted by making the character look physically smaller. These shots happen in relation to two characters or a character and an object.

Low Angle

In low-angle shots, the camera is angled up toward a character or object from a, as it stated in the name lower angle. These shots show the opposite of high angles, they depict power and superiority. The background of this shot is usually the ceiling or the sky. In the viewer, it is meant to evoke a sense of inferiority or fear. 

Eye-level Angle

Eye-level angles/shots are the most basic and most common in the film industry. The camera is at the level of the eyes of the character on screen. 

 

Worm's eye Angle

Worms' eye angles are similar to low angles in that are taken from a low angle. The difference is that worms' eye angles are on the ground and shoot up vertically to capture the character from a "worm's" point of view.  The viewer is meant to feel a sense of obscurity or inferiority and is used in many humorous moments as well.