Cinematography - Shot types/Camera movements.

    

Camera shot

There are many different Shot types and Camera movements involved in films. These make them more interesting and they build up tension, excitement and curiosity.

An extreme long shot contains an excessive amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a movie or scene to indicate the setting; the general location.

                             

A long shot contains landscape but it gives the viewer a more detailed view and focus on the setting.

    A medium shot is a camera angle where the subject is in the middle distance, allowing some background to be seen.

                                

A close up camera angle shows the subject close to the camera where you can see great detail but very little background. 

                          

An extreme close up camera angle contains no background; it focuses on one certain aspect of the subject, maybe the eye or the mouth of a person.

                       


A point of view camera angle shows the viewer the image through the subjects eye.

                     

A low angle camera shot looks up at the subject, making them seem inferior, powerful and big.

                     
A high angle camera shot looks down on the subject, making them seem small, inadequate and weak.

                    

Camera movement

Camera movement is the motion of the camera during exposure. There are many different types of camera movements used in film and photography to make it more appealing to the audience; it creates different types of emotion and it makes the film vary from others.

Pan is a camera movement that follows the subject to create a panoramic effect. It could show the direction in which the subject is heading or it could even be used to show the setting of a scene.

Tilt is a camera movement in which the base remains stationary but the head of the camera moves up and down. it can be used to show the size of a building or to reveal a character.

A tracking shot is a camera movement where the camera follows the action on rails or tracks. It is often used to follow action; e.g. subject running away.

A crane shot is when the camera lifts upwards whilst still focused on the subject, often for high angle shots. This type of movement can be used to reveal secrets or significant events.

A steadicam has the freedom of a handheld shot but because it is so stable, it smooths out the bumpiness that would result from a handheld shot. It can be used to show point of view but also to suggest dreams and fantasies.

A rolling shot is when the camera is still focused on the subject, but the camera rolls to the side slowly to give a thrilling or shocking effect.