Camera Composition(Shots, Angles, &

Movement)

Standards/Competencies• Standard 4.0 The student will organize

information and communicate ideas by visualizing space configurations and movements.– 4.7 Demonstrate ability to operate camera, import digital

media, and manipulate the media.

• Standard 7.0 The student will evaluate the purposes, functions, and features used in preparing digital communication.– 7.5 Compose, organize and edit information using keyboard,

scanner, Internet, media player, and a digital camera.

I Can• Frame an establishing/long shot• Frame a medium/mid shot• Frame a medium close-up shot• Frame a close-up shot• Frame an extreme close-up• Frame a two shot• Frame a three shot• Frame an over-the-shoulder shot• Frame a straight angle shot• Frame an eye level shot• Frame a POV shot (low, high, & side)

Main Types of Photos

5 Main Types1. Long or establishing shot

2. Medium or Mid shot

3. Close-up medium

4. Close-up shot

5. Extreme close-up shot

Long Shot

– It establishes the scene

– Shows subjects in their surroundings

– Tells the viewer where the action is taking place

– Contains the full human figure/view

1

Medium or Mid Shot• Used to introduce a

character for the first time

• Framing is usually set so that the top of the frame is just above the head and the bottom of the fame is just at the waist if standing or below the waist if sitting

• Helps continue to establish the environment

2

Close-up - Medium

• Tighter than a medium shot

• The top of the frame is just above the character’s head and the bottom of the frame is just below the chest

3

Close-up

• Used to reveal a character’s feelings.

• Restrict how much of a scene and/or action the audience sees.

• The top of the frame is just above the character’s head and the bottom of the frame is just below the chin.

4

Extreme Close UpOften used to reveal feelings WITHOUT using

dialogue or to provide the audience with a view of a specific detail – creates a strong visual impact

Examples include a person’s eyes, mouth, or hands, or an inanimate object such as the contents of a letter

5

Long Shot Medium Shot

Extreme Close-upMedium Close-up

Close-Up Shot

Two-Shot

• Shows two persons in a shot

Three-shot

• Shows three persons in a shot

Over the Shoulder• Shooting over-the-shoulder of one

subject to reveal another subject.• The speaker’s full face is shown while

the camera is aimed over the shoulder of the listener

• Used in interview situations.

Straight Angle

• The camera is placed directly in front of the talent at eye level and is used to involve the audience with the action

• Example would be the shot used during the anchors delivery of the news

Eye Level

Most commonly used angle

Whether the subject is standing or seated and regardless of how small or tall your subject may be.

Eye Level

Changing Your Point of View

Composing shots from different angles adds interest.

Low Angle• The camera is placed below the subject and is aimed

up (shoots upward).– Photographer usually lies on the floor or kneels

• This angle exaggerates height and can give the impression that the subject is larger and more powerful.

Low Angle

Low Angle

How does the low angle make the older lady appear?How does it affect how you feel about the little girl?

High Angle• The camera is above the

subject matter and is aimed down (shoots downward). Photographer is above the subject

• This angle has the effect of reducing the apparent height of the subject & gives the impression that the subject is smaller and less powerful.

High Angle

High Angle

How does the high angle makes the little girl appear?

High Angle

Side AngleThe camera is placed at eye level, but usually at a

45 degree angle from the subject. The audience views the action but is not directly involved in the action.

I Can• Frame a dolly shot• Frame a pan shot• Frame a tilt shot• Frame a zoom shot• Frame a match cut shot• Frame a shot according to the rule of thirds• Frame a shot using head room• Frame a shot using lead room• Frame a shot using look room• Frame a shot with a level horizon• Frame a shot using natural framing• Frame a shot considering background• Frame a silhouette shot

Camera Movements

Dollying

• Placing the camera on a tripod with wheels

• Allows camera to follow the action while maintaining a steady, non-shaky shot

Pan

• The camera is moved horizontally from left to right or right to left (much like a head shaking from left to right to say “no”).

• Used to follow the action

Tilt

• The camera is moved vertically up or down (much like a head nodding “yes”)

• Can be used to follow something as it falls, or rises

Zoom

• Accomplished by pressing the W or the T on the zoom control.

• Brings the viewer closer to or further away from the action

Tricky Shots

• Match Cut - Changing camera angles without breaking the continuity of motion from scene to scene– Imagine a Long Shot, Side Angle scene of someone

walking, then dropping something; then, in the next scene you have a Close-Up Shot, Straight Angle of the person’s face showing his/her reaction to the dropping of the item. Although the scene may actually have been filmed using two cameras or the action may have been stopped in order for the one and only camera to change positions, the audience never notices any disruption in the action.

Screen Direction

What is screen direction?

• Screen direction is the direction people and objects face when viewed through the camera. When shooting a scene, place the center of interests on an imaginary line. This line should not be crossed by the cameraperson to avoid reversal of screen direction.

Example of Screen Direction

Reversing the screen direction (crossing that imaginary line) confuses the audience and makes them think the subject is going in the opposite direction from which they came

In this example, the elephant did NOT change directions;

instead, the photographer is

simply on the other side of the elephant

in each separate picture (thus, making

it appear that the elephant is walking in

two different directions.

Composition• The arranging or placing of elements in a

shot.

Which Do You Like Better?

Rule of Thirds• The viewfinder screen

is divided into thirds horizontally and vertically (like a tic-tac-toe board). When framing a shot, the cameraperson should consider these imaginary lines by preferably placing the center of interest at one of the four intersecting points or on one of the lines.

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds – Adding 2nd Point of Interest

Leaving Room for Copy

Head Room• A person’s head should be appropriately placed

in the shot. Don’t cut off the top of their head, but don’t leave so much space above their head that it distracts from their face.

Good Example of Headroom Bad Example of Headroom

Head RoomAppropriate headroomToo much headroom

Leading Looksaka Looking Space, Look Room, or Frame Movement

• When shooting a person or object in profile, leave space in front of the person or object.

Framed too close to the Edge

Room for Motion

Leading Lines

• Lines that are in the environment may be used to lead to the center of interest.

Level Horizon

• Keep the horizon level.

• A sloping horizon – or a floor that doesn’t appear horizontal is distracting to viewers.

Framing• Elements in the environment, such as

trees and arches, etc., may be used to create a border or frame around the shot.

More Framing Examples

Background

• Elements in the environment may distract the viewer from the center of interest. Be aware of bright colors, moving objects, and any objects that appear to grow out of peoples’ heads or blend with a person.

Other things to consider…

Objects that are closest to camera will appear larger than

those that are far away

Arrange Groups Naturally• Avoid widely separated subjects

positioned at either edge of the frame.

• Avoid large height differences between two people in a scene

Bad examples of arranging groups

Good examples of how to arrange groups

Silhouette Shot• Background will be bright causing the subject to appear

as a dark image

• A dark image outlined against a lighter background