Camera shots and angles serve as stylistic devices to a film. They’re used to add meaning, emphasize emotions, create impact, and establish themes.
To create a well-rounded narrative, producers use different types of camera shots and angles. Using a mix of these kills monotony and keeps the audience stimulated.
The effect various camera shots and angles have on the viewers is mostly subconscious. The audience may not actively register the change in the use of these devices.
However, it does enrich the narrative and adds context to the story.
If you’re going to be filming a movie or video project, and you’re working with a team, it’s always good to be up on your production lingo.
Knowing which shot and angle is called what and when to use it minimizes confusion and ensures that the production crew is on the same page.
So let’s first delve into how camera shots and camera angles differ from each other and some basic types of camera shots and angles.
Camera shots v.s camera angles
A camera angle indicates where the camera lens is centered or how it is positioned while taking a shot. You can take different kinds of shots from the same camera angle.
In other words, it’s the perspective from which the subject is shown.
A shot refers to the proportion of the subject shown against its surroundings. It’s the ‘coverage component’ of a scene.
Multiple shots can be taken from the same camera angle to enhance meaning, focus on emotions, etc.
Check out how to create a shot list for your film:
Types of camera shots
Extreme long shot
The extreme long shot aka extreme wide shot creates an impact by emphasizing the subjects’ context. It’s usually used as an establishing shot
The subject is either completely out of focus or appears minuscule in relation to the environment.
The extreme long shot is often used for apocalyptic or war scenes but can also be used to show sports stadiums, countryside, cityscapes, and even outer space scenes.
It’s also used to depict the subject as isolated or overwhelmed.
(The Hateful Eight, 2015)
Long shot / Wide shot
In the long shot or wide shot, you can view the full subject but the focus is on the environment in which it’s positioned.
There’s enough space above, below and on the sides of the subject for the viewers to get cues about its context.
It’s used to establish surreal themes and larger-than-life viewer experiences. However, despite the impact, viewers may feel emotionally disconnected from the subject.
(Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, 2004)
Full shot
The full shot covers the subject from head to toe while it roughly fills up the screen.
Enough information about the surroundings and the context is available but the focus slowly shifts to the subject.
(Bloodline, 2015)
Medium long shot / Medium wide shot
The medium-long shot serves as a buffer between the full shot and medium shot. It focuses on the subject from the knee up. It’s also referred to as the ¾ shot.
(Ozark, 2018)
Medium shot
Perhaps the most used shot during filming is the medium shot. It conveys the most information about the subject and its context.
In all other types of camera shots, the focus is skewed towards either the environment or the subject’s details.
For human subjects, the medium shot focuses on the upper body from the waist up. It helps the audience read the subjects’ body language.
It’s also a go-to shot to show a dialogue between two or more subjects and serves as a buffer shot between dialogues.
(The Queen’s Gambit, 2020)
Close up shot
As the name suggests, the close-up shot takes you up close and personal with the subject. If the subject is a person, their face covers most of the screen.
This shot reveals information like the depth of emotion, the subtle change of expression, etc. It helps the audience build a connection with the character.
In the case of inanimate objects, this shot reveals the intricacies of the subject. For instance, a shot focusing on how the gears move in harmony to depict the working of an engine.
The close-up shot is often used to build suspense and intrigue and also to give an artistic touch.
(Stranger Things, 2016)
Extreme close up shot
While a close-up shot covers the subject’s face, an extreme close-up shot takes things one step further. It’s used to focus on specific features like eyes or lips to convey an even more impactful message.
(Lost, 2004)
Types of camera angles
Low angle shot
The low-angle shot puts the subject in a position of power visually. The audience ‘looks up’ toward the subject as the camera is placed at a low height on the vertical axis.
This shot is used to depict the subject as strong, proud, and/or fearless. It also adds perceived height to the subject.
(The Hunger Games, Mockingjay, 2014)
High angle shot
The high-angle shot places the viewer at an elevated level in relation to the subject. The viewer ‘looks down’ on the subject as it’s depicted as weak, scared, powerless, or afraid.
This camera technique is used in horror and war movies to show the vulnerability of the subject.
(Transformers, 2007)
Read more: 9 Best Movies Shot on Smartphones
Eye-level shot
This shot places the viewer not above or below but at an equal footing with the subject. The camera is placed at eye-level of the subject.
This shot is usually used for dialogue scenes where the perspective of two or more subjects is equally important.
(The Boss Baby, 2017)
Hip level shot
For the hip-shot, the camera is placed around the waist height. This shot also known as the cowboy shot features any weapons or objects held by the subject.
Moreover, in a two-subject dynamic, it’s often used when one subject is standing and the other one is sitting. For instance, a boss sitting in his office talking to his secretary.
(No Time to Die, 2021)
Ground Level Shot
Whether it’s the elegant walk-in pencil heels or a suspenseful entry of the protagonist in sleek boots, we’ve all seen our fair share of ground-level shots in movies.
This shot places the camera almost on the floor. The focus is on the subject’s feet or their walk. It gets the audience intrigued as to what comes next and what the subject looks like.
(Birds of Prey, 2020)
Over the shoulder shot
When filming a conversation scene, the directors often use an over-the-shoulder shot. It mixes things up from the eye-level shot and puts both the subjects into perspective.
Sometimes, the directors use depth of field with the over-the-shoulder shot to bring something or someone into the scene at the back of the subject.
This technique establishes that the listener can see something that the subject cannot.
(Gilmore Girls, 2000)
Dutch angle shot
Directors use the Dutch angle to make viewers feel the uneasiness and tension in a high-stakes situation.
The camera is tilted from the vertical axis and that creates a feeling of disorientation and urgency in the audience.
(Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows 2, 2011)
Overhead shot
The overhead shot is taken from a 90 angle above the subject. It gives a bird’s eye view of the situation while still staying in touch with the subject.
(The Matrix Reloaded, 2003)
See how the overhead shot is used in cinematography:
Aerial shot
The aerial shot has gained more popularity since the advent of drone cameras. Before drones, these were shot using helicopters and could cost a fortune.
Aerial shots are highly impactful and give an overview of the setting like a city or countryside.
The difference between an aerial and overhead shot is the height. An aerial shot is taken from way higher up than an overhead shot. It’s almost like looking down from an airplane.
The purpose of this shot is to focus on the magnitude, complexity, or beauty of the setting. Often it serves as an establishing shot and the subject is completely out of focus.
(San Andreas, 2015)
Read More: Handy Resources for a Remote Video Shoot: A MotionCue Story
Wrapping up
Camera shot and angle selection require attention to detail and a deep understanding of what emotions each technique will arouse in the audience.
By using this quick guide, you can choose the right types of camera shots and angles for your screenplay.