Using the Camera

The camera features dictate how it is used Different cameras have different

features▪ Exposure▪ White balancing▪ Focus

Composition

Terminology and Effects Shots Focus Angles Movement

Long Shot

Shot showing the entire body.Establishes the scene (like skyline)Show separation or distance

between characters

Close-up or Close Shot

The object or subject takes up 80% of the screen space.

Appears very large.

Also, “what is not in the picture” is important too.

Medium Shot

Between a long and close-up. Lacks much cinematic effect. Most TV shows are filmed at this

distance. Can show more context and setting.

Focus

Different types of focus Auto Focus Manual Focus Rack Focus

Soft Focus

Creates a soft texture. Slightly out of focus Romantic movies or close-ups.

Rack Focus

Certain objects in the shot are in focus.

Uses focus to draw viewer’s attention to particular details in your film.

Deep Focus

Both objects in the foreground and the background are in focus.

Creates greater sense of reality. Provides a lot of information in the

scene.

Angles

Where the camera will be placed in relation to the subject.

Low, high, eye-level, and Dutch angle.

Low Angle

Creates the effect of making the subject more significant, dominating, powerful, and in control.

Important for creating stronger characters in your movies.

High Angle

Opposite effect of low angle Camera is above the subject of the

shot. Subjects appear much weaker,

smaller, and powerless.

Eye Level Angle

The usual approach in filmmaking. The camera is at the same level as

the subject of the shot. “Neutral shot”

Dutch Angle

“All is Not Well” angle. Camera is tilted slightly; image

appears sideways within the frame. Creates tension, evil or a dangerous

situation.

Camera Movement

Pan Tilt Zoom Tracking or Dolly Shots

Pan

The camera moves across the horizontal axis.

Usually used to introduce setting. Used from the point of view of

characters as they take in their surroundings.

Sample Panning

Tilting

Communicates distance, strength and size.

Camera is tilted along the vertical axis.

Looking up a mountain.Sample Tilting

Zooming

The camera moves in closer on a detail in a scene.

Directs the audience’s attention to a detail that is extremely important to the story

Sample Zoom-In

Tracking or Dolly shots

Whenever the camera actually moves, it is called a tracking or dolly shot.

Most cinematic effect because we follow the action instead of watch what passes by us.

“Use a chair with wheels.”Sample Tracking Shot