Camera angles

Close Up A close up is a shot that focuses heavily on the face or an object, usually blurring out the background to set a deeper focus. This is often used to add emphasis to a scene or image.

Extreme Close Up An extreme - close up is similar to close up, but an extreme close up usually fits the whole frame of a photo, and you can only see a certain feature within the frame, for instance a human feature that focuses solely on the eyes. This is done to create tension within a scene or image.

Panoramic ShotA panoramic shot is a series of landscape photographs that have been put together by software, but taken individually, then overlapped to create a wide panoramic shot. Particularly used to show an overview of a scene.

Long shotA long shot shows a realistic scale of an object or human being. It is able to fit objects and people within a scene in the frame without cutting anything out. It is also able to if necessary, show other happenings/people in the background.

Extreme long shot

An extreme long shot is used to establish the scene and mood of a film. It is typically used in action adventure scenes, to create tension.

Although little detail is paid to the imageyou are able to establish Where the scene has been set.

Middle ShotMiddle shot is where the camera focuses on a figure from the waist upwards, or an object with little zoom. The middle shot outlines the characters and the background has little detail, very minimal and usually blurry.

Birds eye viewBirds eye view shows a ‘summary’ of a scene, this is taken in the view high above ground level, people and objects are smaller than actual size when this camera effect is used, but it is a good way to show an overall perspective of a scene. It is typically used in action films when a new location is introduced.

High angle shotA high angle shot is similar to a birds eye view, but instead of using a helicopter to get an overview of the scene, a crane is used to elevate the camera, and then focus on filming something at ground level.

Low angle shotLow angle shots are filmed at ground level and are used commonly when filming action scenes. This adds the effect of anxiousness for the character on screen, and fear, because the effect is used to build up tension for a scene.

This type shot would be used for example when; a character has to jump from one building to another, or from one building to the ground.

Point of view Point of view shots are shot in the perspective of a character within the film, it is as if the audience are experiencing everything the character goes through within that scene. It is a technique used to make the audience feel like they are part of the film, and actually are the main character. It is used to show the audience the perspective of the main character and works well in most films. It is typically used so that the audience can engage with the film and it’s characters.

Oblique Oblique is the term used for camera shots that are titled slightly at an angle to show confusion or disturbance within a film. It is a good way to introduce disaster scenes, such as weather effects. Oblique shots are most popular within horror films as oblique can change the mood of the film quite quickly. Oblique shots are similar to point of view shots because there is an eventual transition where the camera becomes the view of a character within the film.

Over the shoulder shot

Over the shoulder shots are used to show the perspective of a character, as if they are being watched or followed by somebody. The purpose of this type shot is to engage the audience as if they are in the presence of the characters.