Camera Shot Size
+What is a camera shot?
+A camera shot is composed of the series of frames that are shot uninterrupted from the moment the camera + starts + rolling until it stops. Camera shots are an essential aspect of filmmaking and video productions, because by + combining different types of shots, angles and camera movements, the filmmakers are able to emphasize + specific + emotions, ideas and movement for each scene. +
+Extreme Long Shot (ELS) or Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
+An extreme long shot (or extreme wide shot) make your subject appear small against their location. You can + use an + extreme long shot to make your subject feel distant or unfamiliar. +
+Take a look at this extreme wide shot from the action movie Mad Max: Fury Road:
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+ It can also make your subject feel overwhelmed by its location. Of all the various camera shots out there, + consider using the extreme long shot when you need to emphasize the location or isolation. +
+Long Shot (LS) or Wide Shot (WS)
+The long shot (also known as a wide shot, abbreviated “WS”) is the same idea, but a bit closer. If your + subject + is a person then his or her whole body will be in view — but not filling the shot. Here's an example of the + wide + shot size from the movie The Martian: +
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+ In other words, there should be a good deal of space above and below your subject. Use a long shot (or wide + shot) + to keep your subject in plain view amidst grander surroundings. The wide shot also lets us see the beautiful + background imagery, as well as the onlookers which will make any big moment more cinematic. Of the many + camera + shots, a long shot gives us a better idea of the scene setting, and gives us a better idea of how the + character + fits into the area. +
+Full Shot (FS)
+Now let's talk about camera shots that let your subject fill the frame while keeping emphasis on scenery.
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+ This full shot from one of the best Quentin Tarantino movies Django Unchained is also a tracking shot — + meaning + there is camera movement featured throughout the shot. In this particular case, the camera slowly moves (or + tracks) towards Django. So, technically, this shot begins in a wide shot, moves to full shot (seen above), + and + eventually ends in a cowboy shot. Of all the different types of camera shots in film, full shots can be used + to + feature multiple characters in a single shot, like this full shot size example from Marvel's Guardians of + the + Galaxy: +
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+ Medium Wide Shot (MWS)
+A medium long shot (aka medium long shot) frames the subject from roughly the knees up. It splits the + difference + between a full shot and a medium shot. Here's an example of the medium wide shot size from the movie The + Usual Suspects: +
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+ You can always frame camera shots from any angle as well, so don't be afraid to think about medium long shots + when behind a character. +
+Cowboy Shot (CS)
+A variation on this is the Cowboy Shot, which frames the subject from roughly mid-thighs up. It’s called a + “cowboy shot” because it is used in Westerns to frame a gunslinger’s gun or holster on his hip. Here's an + example of the cowboy shot size from the movie Wonder Woman: +
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+ Here is an example of a cowboy shot that's used in a film that has nothing to do with cowboys, and it's also + a three shot: +
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+ Medium Shot (MS)
+Let's move onto camera shots that reveal your subject in more detail. The medium shot is one of the most + common + camera shots. It's similar to the cowboy shot above, but frames from roughly the waist up and through the + torso. + So it emphasizes more of your subject while keeping their surroundings visible. Here's an example of the + medium + shot size from the superhero movie X-Men: Days of the Future Past: +
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+ Medium shots may seem like the most standard camera shot around, but every shot size you choose will have an + effect on the viewer. A medium shot can often be used as a buffer shot for dialogue scenes that have an + important moment later that will be shown in a close-up shot. If you don't use all of the different types of + camera shots in film, how can you signal anything to your viewer without shot size contrast. +
+Medium Close Up Shot (MCU)
+The medium close-up frames your subject from roughly the chest up. So it typically favors the face, but still + keeps the subject somewhat distant. Here's an example of the medium close-up shot size from one of the Coen + Brothers’ masterpieces No Country for Old Men: +
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+ The medium close-up camera shot size keeps the characters eerily distant even during their face-to-face + conversation. +
+Close Up (CU)
+You know it’s time for a close-up shot when you want to reveal a subject’s emotions and reactions. The + close-up + camera shot fills your frame with a part of your subject. If your subject is a person, it is often their + face. + Here's an example of the close-up shot size: +
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+ You know it’s time for a close-up shot when you want to reveal a subject’s emotions and reactions. The + close-up + camera shot fills your frame with a part of your subject. If your subject is a person, it is often their + face. + Here's an example of the close-up shot size: +
+Extreme Close Up (ECU)
+An extreme close-up is the most you can fill a frame with your subject. It often shows eyes, mouth and gun + triggers. In extreme close-up shots, smaller objects get great detail and are the focal point. Use an ECU to + emphasize a specific feature of your subject: +
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+ Summary
+How you choose to frame your subject will have a specific impact. How close or far your subject is to your + camera + — your shot size — will underscore how the audience should feel about it (or them). Your subject will appear + smallest in a long shot (or wide shot). They will be larger in a medium shot and largest in a close-up shot. +
+Camera Framing
+What is camera shot framing?
+Camera shot framing is the art and science of placing subjects in your shots. Camera shots are all about + composition. Rather than pointing the camera at the subject, you need to compose an image. +
+Single Shot
+When your shot captures one subject it’s known as a single shot:
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+ Single shots can be set and framed in any shot size you like, just as long as there is only one character + featured within the frame. +
+Two Shot
+A two-shot is a camera shot with two characters featured in the frame:
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+ Two shots are often really useful for allowing performances to play out in a single take, which can be + especially + useful for comedy. +
+Three Shot
+A three-shot features three characters in the frame:
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+ Three shots are really important in adventure films, or really any film that has a group of characters, + because + it is an enormous time drain to shoot 3 singles just to show every character, not to mention jarring. +
+Over-The-Shoulder Shot (OTS)
+Another element of camera shots to consider is the perspective of the shot. An over-the-shoulder shot shows + your + subject from behind the shoulder of another character. Because it emulates perspective, it’s common in + conversation scenes. +
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+ Over-the-shoulder shots can help to provide orientation, and connect the characters on an emotional level. + Here's + our breakdown of the Westworld scene and how OTS shots work so effortlessly. +
+Over-The-Hip Shot (OTH)
+An over-the-hip shot is similar to over-the-shoulder in that the camera is placed with a character's hip in + the + foreground, and the focus subject in the plane of acceptable focus. Here's an example of an over-the-hip + shot + from the movie Minority Report: +
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+ You'll gain a similar effect from an over-the-hip shot as you would an OTS, but if you have one character + standing, and the other sitting, kneeling, or any other configuration that places the subjects on "uneven + terrain" it will often suggest a power imbalance. This is the benefit of blocking and staging your actors + and + camera. +
+Point of View Shot (POV)
+Now let's talk about choosing camera shots that show the point-of-view (or POV) of one of your characters. A + POV + shot is a camera shot that shows the viewer exactly what that character sees. This transports the audience + into + that character. +
+Camera Focus
+What is depth of field?
+Depth of field (DOF) is the term used to describe the size of the area in your image where objects appear + acceptably sharp. The area in question is known as the field, and the size (in z-space) of that area is the + depth of that field. +
+The center most point of the field is known as the point of focus. The imaginary two dimensional plane that + extends from that point is known as the plane of focus. And any part of your image that falls directly on + this + plane is officially in focus. +
+Rack Focus vs. Focus Pull
+Manipulating focus is another way of communicating with your camera shots. The vast majority of films you + watch + will keep their subjects in focus 95% of the time, with the odd slip up here and there. +
+The first assistant cameraman (or “First AC”) will pull focus to make sure that the subject stays within the + acceptable focus range while they move to various depths within the frame. +
+A rack focus is an emphasized focus pull, where the acceptable focus range is intentionally shifted from one + subject to another. This is an aggressive use of focus as a story telling device: +
+Focus Pull = Passive vs. Rack Focus = Aggressive
+Shallow Focus Shot (Shallow DOF)
+In shallow focus shots, your subject is in crisp focus while the foreground and background scenery is out of + focus. This limits your depth of field to create emphasis on your subject. +
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+ Deep Focus Shot
+In a deep focus shot, everything in your frame is in focus. This is when you need your audience to feel the + scenery or particular scene elements. +
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+ Tilt-Shift Shot
+A tilt-shift lens rotates perspective within the lens and emulates selective focus. It can make parts of your + image appear in sharp focus while others are out of focus. +
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+ Here's another tilt-shift shot example from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford:
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+ Soft focus
+Whereas deep focus keeps everything in focus, and shallow focus keeps something in focus, soft focus shots + keep + nothing in 100% sharp focus. This is caused by either a flaw in the lens itself or through special filters. +
+Soft focus is perfect when filming a dream or memory — the glow around everything is both wistful and + slightly + unreal. +
+Camera Angles
+What is camera shot angle?
+The camera shot angle is used to specify the location where the camera is placed to take a shot. The position + of + the camera in relation to the subjects can affect the way the viewer perceives the scene. A scene may be + shot + simultaneously from multiple camera angles to amplify the cinematic effect and the emotions. +
+Eye Level Shot
+First, consider the most common height: the eye level shot. When your subject is at eye-level they’re in a + neutral perspective (not superior or inferior). This mimics how we see people in real life -- our eye line + connecting with theirs. +
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+ Low Angle Shot
+A low angle shot frames the subject from a low camera height looking up at them. These camera shots most + often + emphasize power dynamics between characters. +
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+ High Angle Shot
+In a high angle shot, the camera points down at your subject. It usually creates a feeling of inferiority, or + “looking down” on your subject. Here's an example of a high angle shot from the movie + The + Princess Bride: +
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+ Hip Level Shot
+A hip level shot is when your camera is roughly waist-high.
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+ Knee Level Shot
+This is when your camera height is about as low as your subject’s knees. They can emphasize a character’s + superiority, if paired with a low angle. +
+
+ Here's another knee level shot example:
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+ Ground Level Shot
+A ground level shot is when your camera’s height is on ground level with your subject. Needless to say, this + shot + captures what’s going on the ground your subject stands on. +
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+ Here's another ground level shot example from one of many Stanley Kubrick's marvelous movies, Full Metal + Jacket: +
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+ Shoulder Level Shot
+This is when your camera is roughly as high as your subject’s shoulders. Shoulder level shots are actually + much + more standard than an eye level shot, which can make your actor seem shorter than reality: +
+
+ Dutch Angle or Dutch Tilt Shot
+For a dutch angle (dutch tilt), the camera is slanted to one side. With the horizon lines tilted in this way, + you + can create a sense of disorientation. This video breaks down a key moment in Mission: Impossible when Ethan + first realizes that he's being set up. +
+Bird's Eye View Shot or Overhead Shot
+An overhead shot is from way up high, looking down on your subject and a good amount of the scenery + surrounding + him or her. This can create a great sense of scale and movement. +
+Here's an overhead shot example:
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+ Aerial Shot
+Whether taken from a helicopter or drone, this is a shot from way up high. It establishes a large expanse of + scenery. The opening shots of the movie Blade Runner use them to establish futuristic + cityscapes. +
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