Cinematography basics

Cinematography Basics – Why and how should we use the camera? 

Shot sizes: 

Establishing Shot – geography and location 

The establishing shot shows the location of where the scene is set. For example, a shot of a landmark in a city may be used so the audience can see where the scene is taking place. This gives the audience clarity of where we are and stops the audience asking questions. The shot also helps show size relations between the setting and props. For example, cars against buildings. 

Master shot - show characters in location in detail 

The master shot is a shot in the scene that allows the audience to see all the characters in the scene. It is called the master shot as this is typically what the director will cut to in cases where there isn't enough footage, or the full cast need to be shown. The shot helps secure the knowledge of where characters are placed in frame. This means that when closer shots are used, the audience know who the characters are talking to. 

Wide Shot – the camera is far away enough to show the characters' location but to show emotion 

The wide shot is used to show scale and position of characters in relation to the scene compared to the establishing shot, which is used for setting the scene. The wide shot also lets us see the characters' body language which helps us see the emotions that they have and sets the mood of the scene.  

Full shot – top to bottom 

Full shot includes the character top to toe. This shot allows the audience to see the full range of body language and some of the background. This means that the character can connect with the audience, and it is easier to see emotions. 

Medium wide/ cowboy shot- top to waist 

The medium wide shot is typically called the cowboy shot as it shows just below the waist, where a holster would normally be. It is great for punching into a singular character while keeping a lot of the background. Compared to a full shot, it focuses more on emotion than background. 

Medium shot – above waist to top  

The medium shot is one of the most popular shots in all filmmaking. This is because it is not as dramatic as a close up, but not as distancing as a medium shot. It is also the most accurate representation of how we talk to people in day-to-day life. It always starts from below the chest and ends just above the head. 

Medium close – chest to top 

Medium close shot shows prioritizes emotion and storytelling and reduces distractions. It is mainly used when u want an audience to feel the character and become intimate with them. 

Close up – head  

Close up shots bring a dramatic and tense feeling to a character and allow the audience to look into the character's eyes. The shot is normally placed at eye level but can be used to focus on any body part or prop. It also helps emphasis an emotion. For an example someone could start shouting but by forcing the audience close, the emotion is enhanced and more dramatic. 

Extreme close- eyes  

The extreme close up zooms on either props or certain body parts. This is used when the audience is forced to look at what the character is doing with zero distractions. It brings a lot of enigmatic emotions to the shot as the audience can't see what is happening around them. 

Framing: 

Single shot: 

A single shot is where only one person is in the frame. Single shots can be split into two types... Clean and Dirty. A clean single is where the frame has only one person in the frame at one time. However a dirty shot has the part of someone else in the frame, normally in the out-of-focus foreground. 

Double shot & crowd shot: 

A double shot is where there is two people in the frame. The difference between this and a dirty single is the fact that the characters face is fully visible. These shots keep going up to about a Five shot. After five thy are then referred to as a crowd shot. 

Over the Shoulder: 

The over the shoulder shot is used when the director wants the audience to be part of a sequence or conversation. This shot gives a real life look as if we are standing behind someone and watching the conversation unfold. This allows the audience who is talking and who they are talking to. 

POV Shot: 

The POV shot is a shot that is meant to replicate what a character would actually be seeing from there point of view. This shot is great for when the director wants to give a personal attachment to a character or to make the audience feel like they are in the situation. Normally a director might let the audience know more than the character which provides suspense. However, by using this shot the audience is given the suspense of the unknown. 

 

Insert shot: 

The insert shot gives is a shot where a prop or object is shown in frame, normally without a character in frame. This brings focus to a prop without the distraction of people. 

 

Angle Types: 

Low Angle: 

The low angle shot is where the camera is below eye level and pointing up to the character. The low angle is used when the director wants a character to seem powerful and in control of the situation. This is because the audience is forced to look up to the characters. The low angle also enhances the size and scale of a character, making them seem daunting and intimidating. 

High Angle: 

The high angle shot is where the camera is above eye level and pointing down onto a character. The high angle is used when a director wants to make a character seem week and powerless. The audience is looking down on a character and the audience sees the character from the bottom of the screen, making the character seem week.  The high angle can also be used in an aerial manner to show the location or movement of characters through a scene. 

Overhead Angle: 

The Overhead angle is where the camera is positioned at a 90-degree angle above the character. Its effective for showing complicated actions and action sequences. It can also be used to show the character as being alone and isolated. However, it could also be shown to make the character seem lost in a crowd or in a maze. 

 

Dutch angle: 

The Dutch angle is used to make a scene seem unsettling and makes the audience feel on edge about the character. It is made by rolling the camera on its X axis to make the horizon off onto an angle. This gives a sort of dizziness and vertigo effect. 

Eye Level: 

The eye level shot is when the camera is placed at the same level as the character's eyes. The characters' eyes do not need to be visibly seen, just as long as the camera is at their height. Eye level shots imitate real life and bring the audience into the scene and connect them more. Eye level shots also provide a great way of getting a direct address as the audience are in the conversation and it is obvious that the character is talking to them. 

Shoulder height: 

The shoulder height shot is a shot where the camera is placed at shoulder level. This is normally paired with an over the shoulder shot and helps create a conversation and makes the audience feel like they are in the company of the characters in the frame. 

Hip level: 

The hip level shot is where the camera is placed at waist level. This is mostly used in western movies to intensify the action of pulling out a revolver. The shot could be used to show off a character's clothing and not reveal their identity. 

Knee Level Shot: 

The Knee level shot is used to show the characters' knees without showing their face. This could be used to show how weak a character is and their slow demise. The shot could also make the character seem strong as the audience are placed below them. 

Ground level shot: 

The ground level shot shows the character's feet. This could be used to hide the characters' identity by not showing their face, but it shows their power and superiority through their choice of shoes. Broken trainers suggest a homeless man and expensive shoes would mean a businessman. 

 

Depth of Field: 

Deep: 

Deep depth of Field is when the character and the background are both in focus. This is used when the director wants the character to seem lost in an environment or to show what's going on in the background.  

Shallow: 

Shallow depth of field is used to isolate a subject and reduce the number of distractions in the frame. This is good when a character feels lonely, or they are in power. By isolating the subject, the subject seems to be in control of the situation. Shallow depth of field also brings the generic “cinematic” look. 

Soft focus: 

Soft focus is where the shot is slightly out of focus. This is normally used when the director wants top to give a dreamy look to the image. However, it used to be used to give actors' faces an appealing look. 

Focus Racking: 

Focus racking is where the camera is focused on a character and then shifts focus to focus on a character in the background or in the foreground. It is used to tell the audience who to look at and when. It could also be used to show a shift in power. 

Split Diopter: 

The split diopter is a lens that has convex glass in this makes part of the image out of focus. For example, the left and right side of an image may be in focus, but the center is out of focus. It is used to highlight the relationship between two characters. It can also be used to create a sense of uneasiness in the shot. If used wrong however, the shot becomes unnatural, and the audience feels less in a story and more like they are watching a clip. 

The Tilt Shift: 

The Tilt Shift is a lens that instead of having a straight plane of focus, it is diagonal. It is used to create a sense of weakness or power. The effect can also keep shifting itself to give a vertigo, dizzy effect. 

 

Camera Gear: 

 

Handheld: 

Handheld shots are where someone is physically holding the camera. This is favored by some directors as it gives an authentic look to an image. It can be used to heighten action and movement. For example, as a calm, smooth scene turns chaotic, the camera shake will increase with the scene and create a high amount of suspense. 

Tripod: 

A Tripod is used to keep the camera locked in at a position so there is no movement. This can be used when the director just wants the audience to watch the character and not get any distractions. 

Pedestal: 

When a director or cinematographer wants to make a small vertical movement to follow a character or to show what the audience can't see they use a pedestal movement.   

 

Film Crane and Camera jib: 

Though the size of the rigs may differ they are both used for the same thing. An arm extends up, down, left and right in large movements. They are used to show the establishing shot of a scene or to reflect a character's emotion. The downside is that this piece of equipment is very expensive. 

 

Overhead rig: 

The Overhead camera rig is perfect for showing the top-down angle of action and spaces. They're a unique way of shooting an insert shot of a gun for example. They help show the distance between two characters and help distinguish who is closer to safety. 

Camera Dolly and slider rig: 

The Camera dolly is a wheel-based apparatus to which a camera is mounted onto like a tripod. It is used to make smooth horizontal movements across the ground. However, a slider is a small rig that can make very small movements which is good for small home videos. 

Camera Stabilizer: 

The most common rigs are a stabilizer and out of them, the most common one out of them all is the Steadicam.  It allows the movement and control of a handheld shot but with similar stability to a tripod. It's basically like having suspension on a bike, it takes out the bumps. 

 

Snorricam: 

The snorricam is a rig is a rig that a person wears, and the camera is attached. It follows the movements of the actor and is great when wanting to see how the character feels. For example, it can show how drunk or sad a person is. 

Vehicle and Car Mount: 

 

The vehicle mount is used when wanting to follow cars or people. For example, a camera could be attached to a car to follow a character's conversation or to follow a car chase. This is mainly used as it is more convenient and safter than putting someone in a fast-paced car or helicopter. 

 

Drone Camera Shot: 

Before drones, aerial shots were shot from helicopters. However now, aerial shots can be shot using a small drone with a camera attached. Also, the convenience and maneuverability of the drone results in better aerial shots. 

Camera Motion Control System: 

This is a full rig that is calibrated and controlled to give the exact same shot. This allows for the exact recreation of the camera shot to be the same. It means that masking can be done in post processing and give any sharp cuts. A lot of product videographers use this, so they have full control over their product. 

Under Water housing: 

As you can bet, the underwater housing is used for putting the camera into water. This is used mostly when the director wants the audience to be with the characters in the water and feel immersed in the scene.