Camerawork refers to how the camera is operated, positioned and moved for specific effects.
- Elements
- Positioning
- Shot selection
- Shot Angle
- Camera Movement
- Exposure
- Lens choice
- Video Examples
- Resources
Elements
Positioning
Shot selection
Extreme Long Shot
Character is (almost) lost in the environment.
Connotation
The environment is more important than the character, or the shot is introducing where the scene will take place
Long Shot
Connotation
Includes the whole body of the person
Puts the character into the context of their surroundings
Mid Shot
Connotation
A shot from the knees or waist up
Emphasis on the character and shows them in their environment
Medium Close Up
Connotation
A shot from the chest up.
Shows the face more clearly. A more emotional shot of a character without getting uncomfortably close
Close Up
Connotation
A shot from the neck up or a shot that is just an object.
Places the audience in an intimate position and signifies an emotional moment.
Extreme Close Up
Connotation
A tight shot on part of an object.
Used to focus the audience's attention on an object that holds great importance
Shot Angle
Low Camera Angle
Connotation
Camera is placed low and is looking up at the subject.
Often used to indicate a position of power.
High Camera Angle
Connotation
Camera is placed high, looking down at a subject
Often used to indicate a position of weakness
Camera Movement
Tilt
Connotation
Camera moved up or down whilst staying in the same place
Used to follow movement, or to look someone 'up and down'
Pan
Connotation
Camera pivots left or right whilst staying in the same place
Survey an area or follow an action
Hand-held
Camera is not placed on a tripod but is held by the camera operator. Makes the movement "shaky" and a steadicam is often used.
Connotation
May signify a point-of-view shot, or be used to add realism to a shot, or to follow the action.
Dolly shot
Connotation
Shot is taken from a moving vehicle
Used to follow action or concentrate on an emotion.
Exposure
- correct exposure is when a shot is balanced - nothing is blown out (highlights) or lost in shadow in an image.
- underexposure is when an image has lots of shadows where details are lost. Can create a feeling of mystery.
- overexposure is when an image has highlights - which is parts that have been blown out to completely white. This can create a feeling of harshness in the scene.
Lens choice
- standard lens: Realist filmmakers tend to use normal, or standard lenses to produce a minimum of distortion. These lenses photograph subjects more or less how they are perceived with the human eye.
- telephoto lens (or long lens): is often used to get close-ups from long distances. The lenses have a shallow depth of field which can create an atmospheric effect. The focal distance of a telephoto lens can be adjusted whist shooting, forcing the director to focus on something within the frame this is called rack focusing. A telephoto lens will also flatten an image, decreasing the sense of distance between focal planes.
- wide-angle lens (or short lens): have short focal lengths and wide angles of view. Used in deep focus shots. Can distort the image by warping lines and making things appear further away from each other.
