Camera Shots

In a group with Beth and Naia, we looked at the different types of shots and took examples to explain them. Beth and Naia took the photos whilst I was the main subject involved in the compositions.

  In a Medium Long shot you see the character from the knees upwards, (this shot does not include the feet).  This shot is usually used in scenes of dialogue.

In a Mid Shot, the character is seen from the waist up usually a shot used for dialogue or to show  the detail in an action. The background is usually minimal, focusing on the character(s). This shot can usually have up to three people, anymore and it becomes a long shot.

A Medium Close Up shot is half way between a mid shot and a close up, usually including the subjects head and shoulders.  It is generally used to show a characters response to a situation or surrounding.

A Close Up shot shows very little background and focus on the subjects face, or occasionally a specific detail in Mise-en-scene. The background is usually blurred or not as focused, and the purpose of the shot is to magnify the object and make it seem more important.

 

The Over The Shoulder Shot is used to show what one subject as seen by another subject. These shots are usually close up of the head and shoulders and are used to show conversation and focus on what one character is saying.

A Two Shot is composed when two people are involved in a scene and their interaction is considered very important to the storyline. It is a good way to show relationships between people, conversations and reactions to one another.

 In a Long Shot the character or subject is usually in the centre of the shot, but some distance away,  showing most of their body, and the clothing they have chosen to wear – which can be used to set the scene of the shot. It generally shows the character ‘life size’ in comparison to the screen and audience.

             

An Extreme Close Up only features a main detail of the subject and nothing else can be seen in the shot. For example in this shot only the subjects eyes can be seen and no other significant details. This shot can be used for intense drama and to bring fear to the screen.

A Low Angle Shot is positioned below the eye line of the subject, looking up.  This is used to make the character or subject look bigger and possibly more superior to their surroundings.

A High Angle Shot is where the camera is located above the eye line. This looks down on the subject as if it’s being swallowed up by its surroundings.

A Tilted Shot consists of tilting the shot either up or down. It is used to create a sense of movement in the shot and show the vertical significance of something.