Explanation of shot types with examples from your photographs

The following photos present shot types that me and my friends have taken in a range of areas. We did this in the previous lesson in order to aid our learning of the types of shots and their effects in different scenarios. Shots such as POV shots (point of view), close up; there are many other types as well.

Close Up
This (left) is an example of a close up shot. A close up is a shot that is zoomed into the face of a person. It shows the persons full face and is good for showing emotions. It can also be used when someone is thinking so you can see their facial expressions.



Over the Shoulder
This (right) is an example of an over the shoulder shot. It is taken just above the persons shoulder and shows part of the person's head, but the man purpose of the shot is to show both half of the back of the person, and what is over his shoulder.

Birds eye view
This (left) is an example of a birds eye view shot. It is taken from the view of above a person, as if it were from the perspective of a bird, hence the name. It is generally used in movies and TV shows to show a large group of people in an area usually walking busily.




Extreme wide shot
This (right) is an example of an extreme wide shot. It is taken to show a wide range of space leaving your view of the person in the shot as minuscule in comparison to the area around them. It is not the best shot to view the expressions of a person and therefore is usually used to show a group of people or is a shot that is increasingly zoomed out to show a person on their own. Emphasising loneliness.

High angle
This (left) is an example of a high angle shot. It shows the person from the perspective of being slightly above. It is probably best used to make the person look inferior to the person from which the shot is taken. For example a child being shouted at by a teacher or their parent, the child is seen as the weaker person.


Cantered shot
This (right) is an example of cantered or slanted shot. It shows the person at an angle, slanted, but it can also be used to show objects from the point of view of someone else. In movies and TV shows it is most often used to show someone falling or their view of something when falling.

Worms eye view 
This (left) is an example of a worms eye view. It is taken from below the person looking up, from a view of that like a worm. In movies and TV shows it is often used to show the view of someone injured and on the floor looking up. Whether it is an injured man looking at the person that has hurt or a person trying to help them.





Low Angle

This (right) is an example of a low angle shot. It is taken from slightly below the person, looking up. In most scenarios these shots are used to show someone dominant or in power. For example if a mafia boss was look down at someone, this would be the most suitable shot to use. 

2 Shot

This (below) is an example of a 2 shot. As simple as the title it is basically used show 2 people in one shot. Often used to show 2 people either having a conversation, fight, you name it, as long is shows 2 people in the shot.

 

Mid Shot

This (right) is an example of a mid shot. In using a mid shot the person aims to show someone in mid range. By that I mean it shows someone from head to waist. A simple yet effect shot and one we probably see most often in TV and Movies.

 POV Shot

This (below) is an example of a POV shot (point of view). It shows whatever the person taking the shot would see. For example if someone was walking towards a door, the viewer would see what the person sees (the door in this case). It is often used to allow the viewer to enter the shoes of the person and can also create a sense of tension.

Extreme Long Shot (below)

A lot like the extreme wide shot, also shows very little detail of the face. It mainly shows the full body of the person and what is around them. It is most often used to show the person alone like the extreme wide shot

Long Shot (below)

Closer than the extreme shot however is still yet to show much detail and therefore is not used to show facial expressions or anything of the sort but to show the person full on and possible show body language.

Mid Long Shot (below)

Closer than the long shot, we are beginning to see the face but not to the extent that we can define facial expressions and features. It is often used in the same sort of scenarios as a long shot as you see the same sort of things.

Mid Close Up (below)

We can now see facial expressions clearly, the shot also shows the shoulders as well as the head of the person. The shot can be used in various scenarios, whether you wish to use it and eventually zoom into an XCU or to show someone's face in a confrontation.

Extreme Close Up

This is an example of an extreme close up shot. Zoomed completely into the persons face to the extent that you can see a bead of seat falling from their face if they wanted to. It is a shot most often used to show the slightest of facial movements, whether it be a twitch, tear or sweat. Commonly seen in cowboy movies were there is a confrontation to show the sternness in their eyes.

Eye Level 

Another shot stated in the name. The eye level shot shows the eyes level with the camera in a close up shot. It is often used to simple show a persons face and their eyes starring at the camera. The viewer is made to feel a sense of eeriness as the persons almost stares into the viewers soul.