Shot Angles and Shot Types

Shot Angles and Shot Types

Shot Types

Shot type	Denotation	Connotation
Establishing shot	Shows the entire location/ background of a scene.	This camera shot informs the watcher where the action is taking place (sets the scene). It can also introduce weather/ atmosphere – pathetic fallacy. Finally this is often used at the beginning of a film or scene. This example image connotes that it is night time and that it is in a developed city.
Long shot	The entire subject is in the shot but with some of the background as well.	This camera shot immediately shows the costume and shows the full body. The view can get a sense of the character thought’s body language or costume via this camera shot. This example image connotes that the man is playing golf and is there are other people playing there as well.
Medium shot	The subject’s head and shoulder only.	This camera shot shows how someone uses body language (especially hands) to express their feelings. This example image connotes that the girl is doing archery.
Close up	The subject’s head and shoulders only.	This camera shot shows the character’s personality due to their facial expressions. Feelings and emotions are shown. This example image connotes that the women is happy and calm and happy as she is smiling.
Extreme Close up	Just a small part of the subjects, like their eyeball or finger.	This camera shot is very dramatic and can make the viewers feel slightly uncomfortable and create a lot of suspense. This example image connotes that the person in this image is looking up at something. You can also see that she takes care of her appearance as she is wearing eye makeup.
Two shot	A shot of two people, usually from the waist up.	This camera tells the viewer the intensity of the two characters relationship. For example, if the two people are very close together (like in this example image), you would assume their relationship is quite intense.
Over the shoulder shot	A shot looking over one person’s shoulder looking at another person.	This camera shot connotes the emotion of the conversation. This example image shows that the people in this image are having an intense conversation as he is leaning in to her and looks fascinated.

Shot Angles

Shot angle	Denotation	Connotation
High Angle	The camera is above but also to the side of the subject showing some vertical and horizontal information.	This camera angle connotes vulnerability, lack of power, small and weakness. However, this is often the establishing shot. In this example picture, the characters seem to be looking up at something and confused.
Straight On	The camera is at the same level as the subject showing   only horizontal information.	This camera angle connotes normality and equality. In this example picture, the character seems to be calm and normal.
Low Angle Shot	The camera is at below and to the side of subject showing some vertical and horizontal information.	This camera angle connotes authority, power and dominance. In this image, the people seem to have power as one is holding up a knife and they have strong facial expressions.
Over Angle	The camera is positioned directly above the subject, almost from a bird’s eye view or an extreme high angle.	This camera angle connotes revealing, yet also hiding the subject or object from the screen. Also connotes scale/size. This image shows the city or location.
Under Angle	The camera is positioned directly (or close directly) under the subject, at an extreme low angle.	This camera angle connotes secrecy and also scale. In the example image, the character doesn't seem to know like he is being filmed and it looks like the camera has been placed there without him knowing.
Canted Angle	The camera is turned left or right, so the subject appears at an odd angle, as if they are leaning to one side.	This camera angle connotes abstractness and informality. It also connotes fun. In this image, the canted angle seems to make the city look fun and enjoyable.
Rule Of Third	The camera is a third way down of the subject or object, and is in the middle of the screen across.	This camera angle connotes focusing on the subject or object, making it the point. This image makes the viewers attention go to the bottom of the mountain to where the see meets it.