Camera Shots
Camera shots are extremely important in filmmaking. This is because they help to enhance the quality and mood of the film. Before any shot, the filmography would've planned how they want each scene shot. There are various types of camera angles, and those who do not offer a variety of them can end up with quite a boring film.
Basic Kinds of Camera shot
Establishing Shot
Should set up the context for the scene, mainly used for location. This image is a shot of the whole college building. If this were a film, this would be used to tell the audience where the film is happening or what the film is about.
Long/Wide Shot
This shot was taken from a great distance and often used as an establishing shot in a film. In this type of shot, you should be able to see a large amount of the background/location and the entire length of the subject/person.
Extreme Long shot
The 'Extreme Long shot' is a variant of this. The point of this is that when the view is extremely far from the subject/person, they/it isn't really in focus anymore; the surrounding area is. This method can also be used to show the audience the depth and scale of the scene.
Full shot
In this type of shot, you will usually see the entire length of a person's body, head to toe. In addition, you should see a little bit of the person's surroundings.
Medium long shot
This shot is typically taken from below the knees and up. It can also be taken from the side or behind the subject/person.
Medium Shot
This shot is taken from the hips and up.
Medium close up
This shot is halfway between a medium shot and a close-up shot. So sometimes you can shoot waist up, but typically can be shot from the chest up.
Close up
A close up is a shot of an object or person at close range. The purpose of this is to capture the finer detail of the subject.
Extreme Close up
Dutch Angle
Where the actor is portraying a character who is mad/crazy/under duress. Usually, about a 15 degree tilt to the shot.
High Angle
Where the subject is supposed to come across as weak or vulnerable to the audience.
Low Angle
Is usually, a shot used for a person of power, villain/hero. Could be used to shoot tall buildings, can also be used to give an exaggerated sense of scale.
