Camera Terminology

In today's lesson we watched a short clip on camera angles and shots to learn the basics if we didn't do media at GCSE and weren't familiar with the technical terms. I wrote brief notes for myself to understand the terms.


1. Extreme Long Shot
A shot that shows scenery/setting to show the storyline, in this shot people may be visible.

2. Long Shot
Films a character from head to toe, this is to understand the character and the environment.

3. Mid Shot
Films a character from the waist up, this shot is usually followed by a long shot, this also shows facial expressions and body language.

4. Two Shot
Two characters in action or to show their relationship.

5. Close Up
This films a character showing only their head and shoulders.

6. Extreme Close Up
Shows a very close up shot of an object or a characters eyes, this shows a lot of detail to understand a characters emotions or to give you extra information on what is happening in the scene.

7. Point of View
Characters point of view which shows the characters eyes and shows us the characters motives.

8. Tilt Shot
This shot shows the atmosphere in the room, for example perfect to show tension.

9. Tracking Shot
Shows the importance of a scene, for example a character walking to a death trap so you capture their movement.

10. Upwards Tilt Shot
The shot films someone's height or significance.

11. Arc Shot
A full or semi circle shot that shows intensity.

12. Crane Shot
Camera filming downwards, great for filming a character that is unconscious or asleep to build up tension.

13. Panning Shot
Circles around the room to show any extra detail for viewers.

14. Canted Angle
Tilted camera to create a feeling of disorientation.

15. Crab Shot
The camera is placed in a confined space, used well when a person is opening a cupboard which can add mystery to the film.

16. Deep Focus
Camera allows objects both near and far to be focused at the same time.

17. Establishing Shot
Shown at the start of a film to show where we are set.

18. Hand Held Shot
A shot filmed by hand to make it more realistic due to shakiness.

19. Head On Shot
A shot showing when an action comes directly to the camera, this works well in 3D films.

20. High/Low Angle
If the camera films someone from a high angle it makes them look vulnerable and powerless, whilst a low angle does the opposite.

21. Loose Frame
This is a great way to show isolation and loneliness as the camera will show there is nothing around a character.

22. Master Shot
This is shown at the start of a sequence to establish the component elements and relationships to allow the audience to understand the actions being shown.

23. Pull Focus
Where an object is in focus but then changes to something else in focus to show importance.

24. Rule of Thirds
The camera films someone on the side to show background as it may show hints to the viewers or it can be to make the shot look more interesting.

25. Shallow Focus/Depth of Field
The object in front of the camera is in focus whilst the background is out of focus.

26. Soft Focus
This is a great effect for scenes showing the past for example as the aim is to add a filter or a special lens which add a hazy light to the look.

27. Tight Space
A shot which shows very little space around an object, this can show importance or that someone/thing may be trapped.

28. Whip Pan
A quick pan of characters talking, great in action films.

29. Zoom/Reverse Zoom
You get the point...

30. 180 Degree Rule
An example of this is when characters are speaking there would be two cameras shooting the scene, the cameras must not be seen therefore they have to be at an angle.

31. Breaking the 180 Deegree Rule
Where the cameras do not stay in the same place, this can make the scene confusing to the audience as they do not know where the characters actually are standing.