Camera Angles

Here Are Some Examples of Different Shots and Camera Angles Used in Film.

Deep Focus

Depth of field is the measure that can be applied to the area in focus within the frame.  Deep focus, which requires a small aperture and lots of light, means that the foreground, middleground and background of the frame remain in focus.  Like this shot from Citizen Kane.

Shallow Focus

Shallow focus is a function of a narrow depth of field and it implies that only one plane of the frame will remain sharp and clear (usually the foreground).  In contemporary cinema, shallow focus is often combined with deep space for artistic purposes or to demonstrate subjectivity.  Like this shot of Mary Antoinette.

Extreme Long Shot
An extreme long shot is when the scale of what is being seen is tiny. Like this in 'The Lord of the Rings

Long Shot

A long shot is when the scale of what is being seen is small.   Like this shot in 'The Hurt Locker'

Medium Long Shot

A medium long shot is when what is being viewed takes up almost the entire height of the screen.  Like this shot from 'The Good, The Bad, The Ugly'

Medium Close-Up

A medium close-up is when what is being viewed is large and takes up most of the screen.  Like this shot from 'V For Vendetta'

Close-Up
A close-up is when what is being viewed is quite large and takes up the entire screen, such as a person’s head.  Like this shot of the Joker from 'The Dark Knight'

 Extreme Close-Up
An extreme close-up is when what is being viewed is very large, usually this is a part of someone’s face. Like this from 'Kill Bill'

Pan

A pan shot is a camera movement which follows the action, or reveals previously unframed space, as it moves horizontally. Pans occur in varying speeds for dramatic purposes. But remember to not break the 180 Degree rule!

Tilt

A tilt shot is essentially a vertical pan, where the camera moves up and down rather than from one side to another. Tilt shots often heighten an audience’s level of suspense as they are unaware what the shot will uncover. Tilt shots, like pans, often reveal some previously unseen space to the viewer. Like this from the third man.

Tracking Shot

A tracking shot follows action through the scene. As the action, or character, moves along the screen the tracking shot enables the audience to feel as if they are moving with it. This shot is achieved by mounting the camera on a track, dolly, or moving vehicle to smoothly follow the character or object. Like this.