Camera Angles 🧐📸📽️

Camera angles in filmmaking are used to help enhance the narrative, the theme, and the overall mood of the film. Cinematographers usually make a conscious choice as to how each scene is shot. By doing so, they strive to convey the overall message of their film through each individual frame making how the camera is angled in each scene, of utmost importance.  In filmmaking there are various types of camera angles that can assist you in pushing forth your intended narrative goal for your film.

What Are the Different Angle Shots in Film?

Advanced camera shots, are those that indicate camera angle and placement, and are often used to affect the mood or narrative of the film, rather than indicate size and spatial awareness.

1. High-Angle

A high-angle shot is a cinematography technique where the camera points down on the subject from above. This type of shot is used to make the subject or object below seem vulnerable, powerless, or weak. This camera angle is most commonly used in horror movies to indicate a sense of entitlement the camera has over the subject below. Other messages a high angle can convey include: danger, depression, and shock. When using a high angle shot this causes the audience to have a subjective camera view by asserting themselves to have the viewpoint of the person in ‘power’. Additionally, a high camera angle shot can also provide an overview of the scene itself, which allows the viewer to get a better understanding of where the setting of the film is taking place-- possibly giving them a new perspective of how they view it. 

2. Low-Angle

A low-angle shot is when the camera is positioned low on the vertical axis, below the level of the eyeline, and looks up at an object or subject above. This camera angle evokes a psychological effect by making the subject above, which the camera is angled at, look strong and powerful. In addition, the use of a low angle shot can make the ‘hero’ of your film seem vulnerable and cause the viewer to have a relatable feeling to a character that usually seems unstoppable. Another common way this angle is used, is to increase the perceived height of an object-- as when something is filmed from a low angle is causes it to appear quite larger than it actually is.

3. Over the Shoulder

The over the shoulder shot, is most commonly used in film when two or more characters are talking to each other in conversation. This type of shot is used to establish eyeline of where each character in the scene is looking, and is most commonly framed through a medium or close-up shot. This type of shot can also be used to indicate to the viewer that a specific character in the film sees something that the other characters might not yet see. For example by playing with the depth of field in your scene, you can draw the attention of your viewer to look at something in the distance that a character is witnessing first hand. In this case, a great depth of field would be used by causing the foreground to be blurry, and the background to be in focus. 

4. Bird’s Eye

The bird’s eye view shot, or an aerial view shot, is when the camera is located up above, overhead, capturing the action going on below. In today’s day and age, these types of shots are most commonly captured with a drone in order to be able to get the full view of what is happening down below. In various different types of cinematic works, bird’s eye shots are used as establishing shots to give context of where the setting of the film is, in addition to being used as transition shots to show what exactly is going on in a setting from an aerial view. These types of shots are commonly used in films where the location each scene plays a pivotal role in the narrative. However, despite being able to capture this type of shot on a drone, it is also possible to capture a bird’s eye shot from the top of a structure or building, such as a bridge or skyscraper. 

5. Dutch Angle/Tilt

The Dutch angle/tilt is more of a stylistic approach to cinematography. In order to execute this, you must tilt your camera to one side, which results in a frame that is not level. This type of camera angle is used mostly to create a dramatic effect within a film and can evoke a series of different emotions. The Dutch angle can heighten psychological distress and tension, which in turn, creates a cinematic environment that creates suspense and a sense of thrill. Additionally, filming a scene in this angle can make your audience feel disoriented, uneasy, and sometimes even a sense of drunkenness. 

These advanced camera shots, or angles, are used in film to convey an effect or emotion rather than exemplify a sense of space. Before filming, cinematographers will write out their shot list in order to plan how each scene of their film should be shot. When directing your next cinematic masterpiece, be sure to sprinkle in a few of these camera angles in order to help convey the message of your narrative.

Dutch angle/tilt shot

Over-the-shoulder shot