CINEMATOGRAPHYCapturing Images on Film

Angling The Camera

The cinematographer works closely with the director to compose the images that are captured on film.

Some cinematographers operate the camera, many others supervise a team that includes one or more camera operators, who do the actual filming, and camera assistants, who load the film, mount the cameras and focus the lenses.

Angling the Camera

For each shot in a film, the cinematographer must plan how far from the subject the camera will be, what kind of lens is necessary and the angle from which the shot will be made.

The cinematographer can create very different effects by varying the angle—or point of view—of the shot. A stationary camera can be rotated on the axis of the camera mount (panning); it also can be moved up or down in a 90-degree arc (tilting).

Angling The Camera

When a camera is mounted on a dolly it can be rolled forward, backward and sideways.

Cameras also can be mounted on power-operated cranes that allow for even more flexibility.

Lightweight hand-held cameras also are used, at least in part, on many films.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

-The camera is placed above the subject, looking down toward the subject and the ground.

-Can seem disorienting because it is rarely the way audiences themselves see the world. -Directors often use the bird’s-eye view when they want to make some kind of dramatic comment on a character or scene

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

HIGH ANGLE

-Looking downwards, tends to draw attention to the importance of the environment or setting for a scene.

-High angle shots also tend to make characters look small and are often used by directors to symbolically suggest insignificance or witheringauthority.

HIGH ANGLE

LOW ANGLE

-Looking upwards, has the opposite effect of a high angle shot.

-It tends to focus attention on the size and significance of a character or object.

-Often directors will use this kind of shot to symbolically announce the power and authority of one of their characters without literally telling the audience this information.

-Angle to immediately announce his role as the arch villain in the story.

LOW ANGLE

CANTED ANGLE

-Shot by literally tilting the camera frame. It can be used to suggest a sense of “crookedness” and anxiety, or, in the case of some television newsshows and music video programs, a sense of playfulness.

-A canted shot occurs when you pivot the camera laterally to distort the horizon line as well as the perception of gravity.

-A canted camera can create the illusion that a level field is a steep incline.

CANTED ANGLE

OVER THE SHOULDER

-Shot of someone or something taken over the shoulder of another person.

-The back of the shoulder and head of this person is used to frame the image of whatever (or whomever) the camera is pointing toward.

-This type of shot is very common when two characters are having a discussion and will usually follow an establishing shot which helps the audience place the characters in their setting.

OVER THE SHOULDER