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Introduction:  Types of Shots

Directors make careful decisions about the shots they use to tell their stories in a visual way.

When you think about shots, think about the camera’s location:  the camera’s distance from the subject and the camera’s position in relation to the subject.

Extreme Long Shot

For example, consider the effect of this extreme long shot.  In an extreme long shot, the camera is far away from the subject.  With this shot, the director focuses your attention on the environment (the mountains) surrounding the subject (the climber).

WHAT’S THE EFFECT?

In this extreme long shot, the director is likely trying to convey a sense of the climber’s determination and the magnitude of his or her journey.

Low-angle Shot

In a low-angle shot, the camera is below the subject, making the subject (the buildings) appear powerful and dominating.

WHAT’S THE EFFECT?

In this example, of a low-angle shot, the camera is placed below the buildings (the subject of the shot), looking up.  The viewer feels small in comparison.