Camera shots, Composition, Framing & Angles

Composition:

Composition is whereabouts things are placed in a shot. This can be in the foreground or the background.

Rule of Thirds:

When an image is composed, a grid is placed over the top of it. In this shot, points of interest occur where the lines cross, as seen in this image. It is said that using this sort of shot gives the subject more interest rather than it being central.

The Golden Mean:

This is when a shot has a diagonal line across it, where points of interest occur.



Framing:

Framing is what you choose to include and what to leave in the shot. Whatever you do leave in the shot needs to have a purpose and needs to be important. How much space is given around a subject can be important. Leaving things in a shot that do not have a purpose can leave a shot looking unprofessional. 

Camera shots:
Angles and Shot Types: 

Extreme long shot:
In this type of shot, the subject is not clearly visible. It shows the subject in it's surroundings and it's what is called an establishing shot. It shows a place of action, or a place where an important or key thing may be happening. In an action film this shot may show the scale of action, say in a war or battle.


                                                 Long shot:
This shot shows the subject taking up the full frame. It's usually used to show something it it's own or current environment. 







Midshot:
This shot shows most of the subject. It's usually used during a conversation because it looks as though you are directly talking to the person. Usually it shows neutral emotions and not much is happening during the shot. It can also be referred to as a medium shot.




Medium close up:
This shot is half way between a mid shot and a close up. It shows the fact much more clearly and shows more emotion. 







Close up:
In this shot, certain features or a part of the subject takes up most of the frame. When this shot is of a person, it's usually a close up of there face. It's used to show emotion and detail.






Extreme close up:
In an extreme close up, extreme detail is shown. However, this shot is too close to show general reactions and emotion, but it does show important detail.




Cut away:
A cutaway shot shows something other than the current action that is happening. It is used to show a different subject and to buffer between shots. It adds more interest to the shot.



                                                 Two shot:
This shot establishes a relationship between two subjects. There is equal prominence in the frame, no one is of higher authority. It involves movement and action, maybe two people walking and having a conversation. This shot is done with no interruption. 





Over the shoulder shot:
This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. It shows a conversation or some form of interaction between the two things. It also helps establish the position of both people.



                                                
Noddy shot:
A noddy shot shows someone reacting to the subject. These type of shot are usually used in an interview. 'Noddies' are then shot of the subject is then shot once finished.





Point of view shot:
This type of shot shows a subject that somebody is looking at. It's obvious in the shot who's point of view it is from due to editing.






Camera Movement:

Low angle shot:
This shot is taken from a low angle, so it's looking up from below. This kind of shot is used to show power or authority of the subject and it is used to make the audience feel vulnerable.








High angle shot:
This shot is taken from above, as though something is looking down upon the subject. It gives the subject a sense of vulnerability and it gives the audience power.






Pan:
This is when the camera moves left to right to give a sense of speed or movement.




Tracking shot:
This is when the camera moves on a dolly to follow a subject. This gives a sense of it's speed and movement. 







                      
Tilt:
The tilt shot moves up and down to give a sense of height. It is used to let the audience appreciate what they are being shown or to show authority. 







Canted angle:
This shot is not straight towards the subject. It shows chaos, insanity or that things are unordinary.







Zoom in and out:
This is when the shot zooms in and out of the subject, maybe to show important detail and emotion.

Steadicam:
This is when the camera moves with the subject. It creates tension and excitement and makes the audience feel they are experiencing it.








Crane shot:
This is a high angled shot looking down. It gives a sense of size and scale.

Ariel shot:
This shot is positioned on a plane or helicopter to show a large section of an area.