CAMERA ANGLES

By Tiffany Barrett

CLOSE UP

This shows very little background, and concentrates on either a face, or a specific detail.

Used to reveal detail The close up takes us into the mind of a

character.

ECU (EXTREME CLOSE UP)

Extreme close ups generally magnify beyond what the human eye would experience in reality.

An extreme close up of a face, for instance, would show only the mouth or eyes, with no background detail whatsoever.

Can be used for dramatic effect.

EXTREME LONG SHOT

Can be taken from as much as a quarter of a mile away.

Generally used as a scene-setting, establishing shot.

There is very little detail visible in the shot. It is often used to show scenes of thrilling

action.

OS- OVER SHOULDER

The over shoulder shot reveals one subject as seen from over the shoulder of another subject.

Usually these shots are head shots. Often used in conversations between two

people where the director wants to focus on the person speaking.

BIRD’S -EYE VIEW

This shows a scene from directly overhead. People can be made to look insignificant, ant-

like.

LONG SHOT

Shows the image as approximately "life" size i.e. corresponding to the real distance between the audience and the screen in a cinema.

MEDIUM SHOT

Contains a figure from the knees/waist up. Normally used for dialogue scenes.

TWO-SHOT

Is a good way to introduce a conversation. Are composed when two people are in the

scene and their interaction is important.

HIGH ANGLE

The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview.

It makes the object photographed seem smaller.

EYE LEVEL

The camera is positioned as though it is a human actually observing a scene, so that e.g. actors' heads are on a level with the focus.

LOW ANGLE These increase height. Shows the audience a view looking up at the

subject. Can make the a subject look bigger than it is.

CANTED ANGLE

A camera angle which is deliberately slanted to one side, sometimes used for dramatic effect to help portray unease.

TRACKING SHOT

The camera is placed on a moving vehicle and moves alongside the action, generally following a moving figure or object.