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We live in an era where technology, especially smartphones and cameras, is the heart and soul of our daily routines. Everyone has some basic knowledge of using a camera and taking basic pictures and videos. But to make your videos and pictures look more eye-catching, here is your guide to basic camera angles. These camera angles will make your pictures and videos sparkle.

Before diving into the different camera angles, here is a lesson on the vocabulary of the important elements of a picture or video.  “Subject”, in layman’s language, is the model or the focussed object in a shot. Moreover, it’s important to know the difference between a shot and angle. “Shot” is a short video clip while an “angle” is a fixed position at which the camera is placed.

OVER THE HEAD

In this angle, we see the subject of the video from bird’s-eye view, at the level of their head. It includes the surrounding of the subject as per the aim of the video. This angle is considered important to establish the surroundings of the subject. 

Over The Head

OVER THE SHOULDER

The aim of this angle is to include two subjects simultaneously in the frame. The camera is placed behind the major subject’s shoulder in a way that it includes the minor subject in the frame too. This helps to focus on more than two things in a single shot.

Over The Shoulder

LOW ANGLE

In this angle, the camera shoots from the lowest point possible and shoots up to the subject. In this way, the subject of the video looks heroic, intimidating and dominating. This is mostly used in “super-hero” movies to introduce the “hero” of the film.

Low Angle

 

DOLLY ZOOM

This shot may look like a simple zoom shot but has more dimensions to it. Choose a point far away from the subject and turn your lens to its full zoom, and make sure your subject fits the frame. From that point, move towards the subject and simultaneously zoom out. This gives a 3-dimensional look to your video.

Dolly-zoom-gif

CLOSE UP

This angle is crucial to heighten the subject’s expressions and emotions. Here, the surroundings are cancelled out and the only focus is on the subject’s expressions. It frames the subject’s face above their neck, mostly focusing on their eyes or any of their expressive features.

Close Up

SHIFT OF FOCUS

This shot is as simple as it sounds. There are mainly two subjects in the frame and the focus shifts from one subject to another. This shift depends upon the storyline or as per the significance of either of the subject.

Shift In Focus

 

CUT IN

This angle focusses on the part of the subject we usually do not directly notice. This angle frames mostly the midriff. It’s used to highlight something specific or the expressions through the hand.

Cut In

Feature Image Credit: Namrata Randhawa for DU Beat

Photo-story by: Namrata Randhawa for DU Beat