camera shots

Establishing shot- shows the audience the place of which the film is being shot.

Very wide shot- shows a person in context with their surroundings. Similar to establishing shot.

Mid-shot -shows a person from the waist up. This can be used to show a persons hand movements and actions

Medium close-up- shows facial expressions without getting to close

Close-up- shows detail and can be used to emphasize a person’s emotional state. It can also be interpreted differently as in it doesn’t just show emotions.

Extreme close-up- can be used to reveal a persons emotions and intentions. Extreme close ups are usually of the eyes and show intense detail into the characters eyes. Like close ups, this camera shot can be used on inanimate objects to foreshadow events.

Point of view- This is used to show the action from a person’s perspective. Camera replicates the person’s 

eyes.

Long shot- shows subject or human figure in relation to the setting

Crane shot- can show subject isolation.

Ariel shot- gives us a shot from very high up, usually taken from a helicopter. If an ariel shot is of a single person it can show isolation.

Low angle shot- this shot is often used in confrontation scenes to show which person holds more power.

High angle shot- sometimes used in confrontation, again to emphasize who has the power. This angle is usually used to survey what’s below.

Eye level angle- one of the most commonly used shots as it shows the action from the viewers’ perspective.

Canted angle- camera is tilted to express an emotion or to set a scene. Sometimes it’s used to express illness or awkwardness. This effect is used sparingly because if it’s used a lot it loses its effect.

Two-shot- this shot encompasses the relationship between two people by going from one person to another. It helps to emphasize the emotion in the relationship.

Cut-in- can be used purely as an edit point or to emphasize emotion.