CAMERA SHOTS

 

FILM INSIDER: TYPES OF CAMERA SHOTS

There are a variety of methods to frame a subject in a shot, from showing their complete body to focusing on a finer detail, such as their eyes. When selecting the most appropriate photo, keep in mind the message you're trying to convey to your audience.

Here are some of the most common types of shots and how you can go about using them:

Establishing Shot

Often included at the beginning of a scene, the establishing shot helps to build ambiance and may give a nod towards the context of what’s to come. It generally comes in the form of a long shot and indicates where (and sometimes when) the scene is taking place.

Full Shot                

                                         

The full shot is just as the name implies and shows the entire body of the subject from head to toe. This shot tends to focus more on the character’s movement and gestures, rather than their state of mind.

Medium Shot

Also known as the ¾ shot, the medium shot typically shows the subject from the knees up. It allows the viewer to see the background environment and the character’s gestures, while still being close enough to capture their emotions.

Close shot 

With a close shot, the subject’s head/face takes up the majority of the frame and therefore, allows their reactions and emotions to dictate the scene. The subject becomes the prominent focus and helps the audience build a personal connection, without being distracted by background interferences. 

Extreme close shot

An extreme close shot is so close that only one specific detail, such as a person’s eyes or mouth, can be seen. Because of the unnaturally close nature of the shot, it should be used sparingly, but when used appropriately, an ECS can be incredibly effective at adding drama to a scene. It allows the viewer to see details that may have otherwise gone unnoticed and can really accentuate the emotions that the subject is experiencing.

Up shot

An up shot is taken from below the eye-level of the subject and creates the perception that the viewer is looking at them from a lower perspective. This type of shot can give the impression that the subject is in some way powerful, heroic or even dangerous.

Down Shot

A down shot, in contrast to an up shot, is taken from above the eye-level of the subject and can make the subject seem vulnerable or powerless.

Over the shoulder shot

 

This type of shot is taken from behind the shoulder of another character and typically frames the subject in a medium or close shot. It is particularly effective in group conversation scenes and helps establish which characters are speaking to each other.

Point of view shot

The point of view shot, also known as the POV shot, depicts an angle that shows what a character is looking at. This type of shot allows the viewer to take on the perspective of the character and begin to understand their state of mind on a more personal level.

There you have it! I hope you recall the facts we presented. Again, using different sorts of views helps the audience stay up with your tale and completely comprehend what you want them to learn inside each scene. As a result, it is critical that you practice and master each of the camera angles listed in this post in order to combine them and make significant films.