10 Camera Shots EVERY Filmmaker Should Know

Introduction

There are a few camera shots that are used in movies more than others. These shots can be used to evoke a certain feeling or tell a story without using words. By understanding the purpose of these shots, you can create better videos with your camera by using the same techniques. In this article, I'll explore 10 of the most common camera shots and explain what they are used for.

1. Establishing Shot

An establishing shot is used to show the viewer the location of the story. This can be done with a wide shot that shows the entire scene, or a medium shot that shows a closer view of the location. This shot is often used at the beginning of a movie to help set the scene, but it can also be used later on to show a character's new surroundings.

There are many examples of establishing shots used in movies. One of the most famous is the opening scene of Star Wars: A New Hope, which uses a wide shot to show the entire galaxy. This shot establishes the story's location and sets the stage for the rest of the movie. This shot tells the audience "this movie will take place in space".

This scene from The Godfather is another great example of an establishing shot. This scene uses a wide shot to show the family's compound in New York City. Although this isn't the very first shot in the movie, this specific shot introduces the audience to the family's environment. This shot gives specific details about where the story takes place without explicitly showing the characters.

2. Medium Shot

A medium shot is used to show a character from the waist up. This shot is often used to show a conversation between two people, and it can also be used to show emotion or a reaction to something that is said. When a character is feeling sad, for example, you might see them from a medium shot with their head down. This can help the viewer feel what the character is feeling, by leaving room in the frame to showcase a character's body language, posture, or physical demeanor.

One example of a medium shot is in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. In this scene, the main character, Chris Gardner, has just arrived at a conference room for his job interview. He is covered in paint and dressed in casual clothing, which isn't a very professional way to show up to a job interview. You see Chris from the waist up as he is trying to plead his case for why he should be offered a job. In the corner of the frame, you can see the head of one of the interviewers, which lets the audience know that the interviewers are looking directly at Chris as he is speaking. This subconsciously tells the audience that they should be focused on Chris as well. This shot shows the conversation between the two men and puts the audience in the place of the interviewer.

3. Close-Up Shot

A close-up shot is used to show a character's face in detail. This can be used to show the character's emotions or to show what they are thinking. This kind of shot can also help the viewer understand how a character is feeling.

Close-up shots generally show a character's facial expressions and when done correctly, they can evoke a distinct emotion from the audience. For example, in The Notebook , there is a scene where Allie is reading Noah's letter while driving her car. After she reads the note, the camera cuts to a closeup of her reaction. In one of these close-up shots, we see Allie begin to cry. The sad expression on her face in conjunction with the tears running down her face tells the audience that she is heartbroken. This shot helps us understand Noah's impact on Allie and also gives the audience a moment to feel sad for Allie, but also feel sad with Allie.

4. Overhead Shot

An overhead shot is a camera angle that is used to shoot from directly above a character or object. This angle can be used to create an imposing effect or to make something seem small and insignificant.

The overhead shot is often used to show power or dominance. For example, a character might stand above others in a scene to show their authority. Alternatively, an overhead shot can be used to emphasize the size or scale of something. A huge building or a massive crowd of people can be shown in an overhead shot to provide context and make an impression.

One example of the overhead shot is when Darth Vader confronts Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Vader is shown standing high above Luke, looking down at him with menacing intent. This shot helps to convey the power and intimidation that Vader possesses; also conveying the weak position that Luke is in. This shot also makes the audience feel like they are peering into the scene, almost as if they are watching the story unfold from a distance.

5. Dutch Angle

The Dutch Angle is a camera shot that is used to create a feeling of unease or instability. It is done by tilting the camera lens at an angle, which causes the image to appear tilted onscreen. This can be used to show that something is "not right" or to make the viewer feel uneasy. The Dutch Angle is often used in horror movies to create a feeling of unease, as it makes the viewer feel like something is off balance. It can also be used in comedies to make a scene appear more comical, but I'd argue it's used much less in these situations.

The Dutch Angle is famous for its use in critically acclaimed films like The Shining, in which Kubrick uses this shot to create feelings of unease - making the viewer feel like something is not right or "off" about the environment. However this has been written about countless times on the internet, so instead, I'd like to show you how the Dutch Angle can be used to create tension within a scene.

In Mission Impossible, there is a scene where Ethan Hunt is sitting in a chair talking with Kittridge. The camera is relatively at eye level throughout most of the scene. However, when Kittridge begins questioning Ethan about his loyalty, the camera begins to tilt. This is the moment in which Ethan realizes that he is the one suspected and has walked into a trap. An exchange of words takes place as the camera switches between close up dutch angle shots of Ethan and Kittridge. The music in the scene begins to intensify, Kittridge begins to speak faster, and we can see Ethan's demeanor change rapidly. This uneasiness is ramped up for the next few shots before a massive explosion brings the scene to a climax. Check out a still from the scene below:

6. Low-Angle Shot

A low-angle shot is when the camera is positioned below the subject, often making them look larger than life. This type of shot is often used to create a sense of power or dominance, as well as intimidation. Low-angle shots can also be used to make the viewer feel more sympathetic towards the subject, by emphasizing their vulnerability. Sometimes referred to as the "Superhero" shot, the low-angle shot is a staple among superhero movies.

One example of a low-angle shot is in The Dark Knight when Batman is confronting the Joker on the roof of a building. The camera is positioned below Batman, as he is pulling the joker up from nearly falling to death. This shot makes Batman look larger and more imposing than the Joker, as Batman is positioned as the hero (visually showcasing his moral high ground), who went out of his way to save even the evilest of criminals.

7. High-Angle Shot

The opposite of a low-angle shot, a high-angle shot is when the camera is positioned above the subject. This can make the subject look small, powerless, and unimportant. High-angle shots are often used to create a sense of distance or detachment from the subject.

"The Martian" uses a high-angle shot to great effect. In one scene, the camera looks down on Matt Damon's character as he struggles to survive on the hostile planet. As he emerges from the top of his spaceship, you can see the vast wasteland of Mars underneath him. This shot makes the audience feel distant from him and emphasizes how alone he is in this situation.

8. Point of View (POV) Shots

When you're watching a movie, sometimes it feels like you're right in the action, as if you're the one seeing everything through the character's eyes. This is thanks to POV shots. POV shots quite literally position the camera to be the "eyes" of the character in the scene.

POV shots can be used to make the viewer feel more engaged and invested in the story. By putting them in the character's shoes, we can see things from their perspective and understand their thoughts and feelings better. POV shots are a great way to create an immersive experience for the viewer. If you want your videos to feel more personal and engaging, using POV shots is a must.

The movie, Tenet, is a great example of effective POV shots that create an unmatched feeling of intensity. Take a look at some stills from the airport sequence, I think these images speak for themselves.

9. Tracking Shots

A tracking shot is a camera shot that follows the action as it moves. This type of shot can be used to create a sense of movement or to follow the action of a character. Tracking shots are often used in chase scenes or when the camera is moving through a scene.

Because this shot relies heavily on camera movement, it is quite difficult to explain the effect of this shot with images. Instead, I'd like to share a short 1-minute video compilation of tracking shots in Stanley Kubrick's films. These shots are interesting because I found that Kubrick tends to use tracking shots in a forward and back motion rather than a left-to-right motion which tends to be the default use case for this shot.

Check out the video below for a better idea of what I mean:

10. Aerial Shots

An aerial shot is a camera shot that is taken from a high vantage point, such as a helicopter or a drone. Aerial shots can be used to show the layout of a location or to give the viewer a different perspective of the action. This type of shot usually helps create a sense of scale. They are often used in scenes that are set in large open spaces.

Aerial Shots are used at least a few times in pretty much every Hollywood movie over the last 25 years. Some of my favorite examples are from the Lord of The Rings films that highlight the beautiful landscapes of middle earth. Here are a few of my favorite examples of aerial shots:

Final Thoughts

We've briefly explored 10 different types of camera shots that every filmmaker should know about. These shots are some of the most commonly used in movies and can be used to great effect if you understand their purpose - hopefully, this article has helped you do so. Start implementing these shots within your own films and you'll be well on your way to creating better videos that engage and immerse the viewer. Thanks for reading!