Cinematography (Micro Elements)

Cinematography

Cinematography is the use of the camera and understanding the techniques of camera shot and camera movement.

Camera Shots:

- Long Shot - shows the entire the subject and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings.









- Medium Shot - a shot of the person from the knees up or the waist up.

- Close Up - tightly frames the subject.  

- Extreme Close Up - showing detail of the subject closer than a close up shot.

- Point of View - shows what the subject is looking at.

- Low Angle - presents a sense of power or authority onto the person or object being filmed.

- High Angle - instills a subserviant or vulnerable ambience onto the person or object being filmed.

Camera Movement:

- Pan - the camera follows the movement of the person or object being filmed from side to side.

- Tilt - the camera follows the movement of the person or object being filmed from top to bottom or vice versa.

- Crane Shot - similarly to a high angle shot, it tills a subserviant or vulnerable ambience onto the person or object being filmed. It also gives a sense of desolation to the surrounding area.

- Tracking Shot - the camera is mounted on a camera dolly, a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken

- Rolling Shot - the camera tilts as it's rolling.

- Steadicam - a lightweight mounting for a film camera which keeps it steady for filming when handheld or moving.