Shot Composition and Standard Shots

Types of Shots

Described by Size

Shots Described by Size• Extreme wide shot (EWS) shows a broad view of the surroundings around the character and coveys scale, distance, and geographic location.

• Wide shot (WS) shows an entire character from head to toe.

• Medium wide shot (MWS) shows a character usually cut off across the legs above or below the knees. It is wide enough to show the physical setting in which the action is taking place, yet it is close enough to shot facial expression.

• Medium shot (MS) shows a character’s upper-body, arms, and head.

• Close-up shot (CU) shows a character’s face and shoulders. It is close enough to show subtle facial expressions clearly.

• Extreme close-up shot (ECU) shows only a part of a character’s face. It fills the screen with the details of a subject.

Types of Shots

Described by Angle

Shots Described by Angle

Vertical camera angles. Moving the camera around the subject vertically while aiming at the subject creates different camera angles below:

• High angle. The camera is placed above eye level, looking downward. A high angle shot can make a character look smaller, younger, weak, confused, or more childlike.

• Eye level. Most commonly used.

• Low angle. The camera is placed below eye level, looking upward. A low angle shot can make a character look bigger, stronger, or more noble. It also gives the impression of height.

Shots Described by Angle Horizontal camera angles - Moving the camera around

the subject horizontally while aiming at the subject creates different camera angles below:

• Frontal. The frontal angle tends to flatten the three dimensionality of facial features and environments.

• Three-quarter front. The three-quarter front angle is more often used than the frontal angle or profile because it shows more depth and volumes.

• Profile. A view from the side.

• Three-quarter rear.

• Rear.

Horizontal Framing Concerns

Leading Room or Looking Room. When a person is looking toward the edge of the frame rather than straight into the camera, image composition is more pleasing if room is allowed in the direction they are facing. For example, a person shown in frontal view might be centered in a shot but a person shown in three-quarter front should be framed off center to allow looking room.

Vertical Framing Concerns

Headroom. The distance between the top of a person’s head and the top of the frame is called headroom. When a director calls for more or less headroom it is a handy way to direct the camera operator to tilt up or tilt down.

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

Imagine your picture area divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The intersections of these imaginary lines suggest four options for placing the center of interest for good composition. The option you select depends upon the subject and how you would like that subject to be presented.

The Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds

Point of View Shots

In a point of view (POV) shot, the camera is placed at the eye position of a character.

Class ExerciseHave two group members sit or stand looking at each other having a conversation.

1. Shoot a Two Shot

2. Shoot a Medium Close-Up of each of the two.

3. Shoot an Over the Shoulder Shot from each side.

4. Repeat until all group members have had a turn operating the camera and have recorded all 5 shots.

Two Shot

Two Shot

Medium Close-Up

Medium Close-Up

Over the Shoulder Shot

Over the Shoulder Shot

Class ExerciseHave two group members sit or stand looking at each other having a conversation.

1. Shoot a Two Shot

2. Shoot a Medium Close-Up of each of the two.

3. Shoot an Over the Shoulder Shot from each side.

4. Repeat until all group members have had a turn operating the camera and have recorded all 5 shots.