Camera Angles and Shots

Sarmad Shafique

Extreme Long ShotThis shot covers a large area. It shows a wide view of the location and shows the audience where the scene is set in a film. It is used as an establishing shot. It is taken from a distance so that the location is properly captured.

Long ShotThe figures in long shots are shown entirely, from head to toe. This is used to show details in a scene. There is head room and the background details are shown. This usually follows an extreme long shot. Extreme long shot establishes a scene and then a long shot gives more details.

Middle ShotThe upper part of the human body is shown in this shot. Usually from the hips and upward. This shot shows how the figure’s arms are placed, the facial expressions and what the character is doing. The background is not sometimes given much importance. There are different variations of the middle shot. If there are two figures in the shot that would be called a “Two Shot”, if three “Three Shot” if there are more than three characters that tends to become a long shot.

The Cowboy or The American ShotThis is a variation of the middle shot. It is like a middle shot in almost everyway but it does not end at the waist, it usually shows the character down to knees or the thighs. This became popular because of the western films as characters carried guns with them and this shot showed their weapons too.

Close up ShotThe close up shots limits the frame to just the character’s face or the object. The background is not focused on and is usually blurred. Facial expressions are empathized in this shot.

Extreme Close upECU is a type of close up shot is a close up shot which the human eye cannot see easily from an average distance. These shots show extreme details and the background is not usually in the frame. These might include just shots of eyes, mouth or a detailed close of an object.

Italian ShotThis is a variation of the ECU shot. This focuses mainly on the characters eyes. This captures the expression of the characters and show how the character is feeling.

Bird’s-eye view This shot is taken from directly above the object or the character from some distance. The audience feels as if they are looking down at the figures or the objects.

High AngleHigh angle unlike the bird’s-eye view is not taken from directly above the object but instead from a high angle. This is more natural like looking down at someone from a higher place or looking down at a child.

Eye LevelWhen taking a picture or shooting a scene from eye level the camera is placed at the same height as of the person/actor or the object. This is neutral, this isn’t high or low angle. This is a more natural angle as a normal person would look at another person.

Low Angle shotWhen taking a low angle shot the camera is placed below the object or the actor. This angle makes a person look taller. The object or the actor becomes over powering in by this as the audience is looking up at the character.

Dutch AngleThis angle is also known as Dutch tilt, canted angle, oblique angle or German angle. The camera is tilted in such a way that it is not natural. This angle is often used in horror movies as it portrays uneasiness or tension. This angle is also used in “found footage” films as it is unsteady and seems unprofessional.