Camera Shots

Extreme Close Up

An extreme close up is used to focus on a specific part of the subject. This shot can be used to create emotion and significance in a film. From this extreme close up shot, you can see that the characters eyes are focused on something significant but the audience cannot see what it is.

Close Up

A close up shot is used to show detail of the subject and is used to show the emotions and facial expressions of the characters. This is effective because captures true emotions of the character and makes the audience feel as if they are in a similar situation as them.

In this close up shot you can see that the lady looks shocked as she stares into the camera with almost watery eyes implying she is also sad.

Medium shot

A medium shot of a person is generally taken from the waist, or chest, up. These shot is used to show the character while also showing the location that they are in.

In this shot we can see that the character is sitting on a chair within an office environment.

Long Shot

Long shots are similar to medium shots however they reveal more of the character and more of the environment they are in. Long shots will generally show the whole of the character or subject. More of the location is shown in the shot allowing the audience to picture themselves in the scene. Long shots are often put at the start or end of a

This long shot was taken from ‘The Hobbit’ and depicts Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf in a green outdoors location. This is a long shot as it shots the two characters in frame and reveals a lot of the background.

Extreme Long Shot

An extreme long shot is taken from a long way away. This shot is used more to show the location that characters are in rather than details of the characters. These shots give a sense of where the subjects are in the location but don’t reveal a lot of details of the characters.

With this image we can see two people standing on a muddy / rocky hill. We can also determine that they are high up and in the far distance we can see a lake or river. From this distance it is not clear what facial expressions the two people are making or why they are there.

Establishing Shot

An establishing shot is typically the first shot in film or in the scene. It reveals to the audience where the film or scene is going to take place.

In this image you can clearly tell that it is set in London because of the iconic Big Ben tower, Palace of Westminster, the London Eye and The shard.

Aerial Shot

An aerial shot is a shot taken from above in the air. They are commonly taken either with a helicopter, plane, and drone and it could also be taken with a crane or on top of a high building. Sometimes aerial shots are used as establishing shots at the start of films to show the audience a greater view of the location that it is going to be set in.

From this screen shot we can see an aerial shot the New York City taken from a helicopter or a drone.

Bird’s Eye View

A bird’s eye view is similar to an aerial shot however a bird’s eye view is taken from directly above the subject. This shot makes the subject look small if used on people, but it is also used to show a map or buildings from above in films.

For example, in this image you can see a bird’s eye view of a crossroad as it is taken from directly above.

Canted shot

Canted shots are shots that are slanted to one side. This shot type is effective as it makes the audience feel at unease, distorted and paranoia. This shot is frequently us in horror, thriller and some action films.

In the screenshot we can see a canted shot of a dark, dirty tunnel. This makes the tunnel seen my gloomy and mysterious – connoting to a horror or thriller genre movie.

High Angle Shot

A high angle shot is a shot taken from above the subject to make it seem as if you are looking down onto the subject. This shot type makes the subject look small, venerable and insignificant compared to everything else.

This high angle shot of Harry Potter makes him look scared and venerable, and his facial expression also indicates fear.

Low Angle Shot

A low angle shot is a shot taken from below the subject to make it seem as if you are looking up at the subject. A low angle shot makes the subject look more powerful and gives them authority in the film.

In this low angle shot from Transformers: Age of Extinction, you can see a low angle shot is used to show the protagonist. This makes him look big and gives him power in the scene.

Point of View

A Point of View or POV shot is a shot taken from the perspective of the subject. This puts you in the scene, as the person, and makes you fell in a similar way to them.

This point of view shot of the cyclist makes you feel as if you are cycling along the road. The motion blur of the road and the rocky side makes it look as if you are moving very fast.

Over the Shoulder Shot

An over the shoulder shot is a shot taken from behind someone and over their shoulders to show them looking or talking to something or someone. Over the shoulder are typically used when conversations take place between two characters.

For example, this image if over the shoulder shot of a conversation.