Howdy! I’m your friendly neighborhood 🤠 cinematographer, and today we’re going to talk about the beautiful art of cinematography. One of the most important aspects of creating visually stunning films is understanding camera angles and shots. So, let’s get started!

Camera Angles: The Basics

Camera angles play a vital role in conveying emotions, meanings, and themes in films. The camera’s position concerning the subject is the basic definition of a camera angle.

Low Angle

A low angle shot is when the camera is positioned below the subject. This angle is used to make the subject dominant and powerful in the shot.

Example

A low angle shot of a superhero, making them appear powerful and strong.

High Angle

A high angle shot, on the other hand, is a shot taken from above the subject. This type of shot makes the subject look weak, vulnerable, or small.

Example

A high angle shot of a character who has just been cornered, making them look vulnerable and weak.

Eye-level Angle

An eye-level angle shot is taken at the same height as the subject, creating a sense of equality between the viewer and the character.

Example

An eye-level shot of two characters who are speaking to each other, creating an equal level of communication between them.

Camera Shots: Different Types and What They Mean

Camera Shots are the distance between the camera and the subject. A well thought out camera shot can communicate different messages through the film.

Extreme Close-up Shot

An extreme close-up shot is a very tight frame of the subject. This shot is great for showing emotions or highlighting specific details.

Example

An extreme close-up shot of an actor's eyes, showcasing the amount of emotion they are feeling.

Close-up Shot

A close-up shot is a tight frame of the subject, and it is used to show the subject’s emotions, reactions, and expressions.

Example

A close-up shot of a character's mouth as they are speaking to show the intensity of the conversation.

Medium Shot

A medium shot is a shot that shows the subject from the waist up. It is a great shot to use when you want to show the subject’s body language and reactions.

Example

A medium shot of a person laughing, showing their full-body reaction to a joke.

Full Shot

A full shot, also known as a long shot, shows the full subject from head to toe. This shot is fabulous for showing the environment surrounding the subject.

Example

A full shot of a character walking in a bustling city street, showing the entire environment of the scene.

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a technique used frequently by cinematographers. It is a method that divides the frame into nine equal sections and places all the essential elements in the frame along the lines or intersections.

Example

A ruler of third grid on top of a video frame, highlighting how to place subject and other elements in the frame.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it, folks - the basics of camera angles and shots. Next time you are scrolling through Netflix, try to take note of the different camera angles and shots used and see how they contribute to the narrative and emotional impact of the story.

Image Description

An image of a person holding a camera with different camera angles and shots illustrated around the frame.