FilmFest: Camera Angles Research

Camera angles basically mean the specific way and position in which an image or video are taken. There are several levels and techniques that can be used when shooting. Also, there are specific names given to different shots according to how much of the subject is being shown, the distance between the camera and the subject and the perspective of whomever is seeing the shot. In the list below I have mentioned the 5 most common and basic techniques:

1. Extreme long shot - This shot is usually used to show very large exterior spaces such as landscapes. There is a lot of space/distance between the camera and what is being shown (no zoom) and it is also used to show a general impression of a setting which means that there is no detail shown in this shot. This technique is mostly used in thriller or war-related movies.

2. Long Shot - A long shot consists of showing the complete subject and showing it in an approximate "life" size. If the subject is a human, then it's head will be near the top of the frame and it's feet near the bottom. Even though there is a clear subject, the background detail is also very clear.

3. Medium Shot - In a medium shot, the subject is only shown either from the knees or the waist up and this technique is generally used when there is dialogue or to show any details regarding the subject.

4. Close-up - In a close-up shot, the subject is magnified and zoomed in to until just very little background is shown (the background is blurry). It is used to show someone's expression or to make the viewer feel either very comfortable or very uncomfortable regarding the character.

5. Extreme close-up - An extreme close-up shows an extremely magnifies image which wouldn't normally be what a person would see in reality. There is no background detail exposed because the subject covers the complete frame.

http://www.mediaknowall.com/camangles.html

Examples: