Camera shot Size
Camera shot size refers to how much information is contained within a scene or shot. The terms used are adjectival which means they describe the nature of the shot so don't worry too much about whether it's an extreme long shot or a long shot so long as you describe what you can see!
Close ups (character's head or face) - Used to convey character emotion, mood and tension. Often the aim is to encourage an audience to experience what a character is feeling.
Extreme Close-Ups (Part of a character/ face/ body) - For example a hand on a door handle, tear running down a cheek, an eye. Usually used to create a question or Enigma Code, requiring the audience to ask questions.
Medium Long shots/ Wide shots - Give the audience more information. Usually an entire character (medium shots go from the waist up).
Establishing shots/ Extreme long shots - Almost always used to indicate a location.
Close ups (character's head or face) - Used to convey character emotion, mood and tension. Often the aim is to encourage an audience to experience what a character is feeling.
Extreme Close-Ups (Part of a character/ face/ body) - For example a hand on a door handle, tear running down a cheek, an eye. Usually used to create a question or Enigma Code, requiring the audience to ask questions.
Medium Long shots/ Wide shots - Give the audience more information. Usually an entire character (medium shots go from the waist up).
Establishing shots/ Extreme long shots - Almost always used to indicate a location.
Camera angles
High Angle - The camera is positioned above the action putting the audience in a position of power. If the audience is looking through the eyes of a character it can make the character in the shot appear weak and vulnerable.
Low angle - The audience can feel in a position of weakness or make a character appear strong and powerful.
Birds eye view - This shot is as if the audience were flying or suspended in the sky, an impossible or privileged view. This puts the audience in a 'god-like' position where they can see all of the action, particularly useful in action sequences.
Canted or tilted - This shot is unusual but is when the camera is tipped making the shot wonky. Used to create a sense of imbalance in the audience.
Low angle - The audience can feel in a position of weakness or make a character appear strong and powerful.
Birds eye view - This shot is as if the audience were flying or suspended in the sky, an impossible or privileged view. This puts the audience in a 'god-like' position where they can see all of the action, particularly useful in action sequences.
Canted or tilted - This shot is unusual but is when the camera is tipped making the shot wonky. Used to create a sense of imbalance in the audience.