Angles

 Camera Shot Angles

The camera shot angle specifies the location and orientation that the camera is placed relative to the subject, to affect the way that the viewer perceives the scene.

Low Angle

A low angle shot frames the subject from a low height, looking up at them. These shots are often used to make the subject appear powerful and strong. A character who is superior and has the upper hand can be framed from below to make the viewer feel inferior to them.

High Angle

This is where the camera is positioned above the subject, looking down on them. Complementary to low angle shots, these can be used to make the subject appear inferior, small and weak. However, high angle shots can also vary in effect depending on the context, not always to demean the subject.

Dutch Angle

A dutch angle, or dutch tilt, is when the camera is slanted to one side. This creates a sense of disorientation.

Overhead Shot

Also known as a bird's eye view, the overhead shot is when the camera is positioned almost directly above the subject. This is used to create a sense of scale with the subject's surroundings.

Eye Level

This is the most common camera height. The subject is positioned at eye-level to be in neutral perspective (they are not larger or smaller) mimicking how we see people in real life.

Shoulder Level

This is when the camera is roughly as high as the subject's shoulders. These shots are actually more standard than eye-level shots as they can sometimes make the actor seem shorter than intended. These shots can maximise the feeling of superiority when paired with a low angle.

Hip Level

A hip level shot is when the camera is roughly waist-high. In the above example, it is used to focus on the gun holster on the subject's hip.

Knee Level

This is when the camera is positioned as low as the subject's knees. When paired with a low angle, this can also emphasise the superiority of a subject.

Ground Level

A ground level shot is when the camera's height is on ground level with the subject. It is often used to focus on the ground that the subject is standing on, or to focus on the subject's feet to emphasise movement.