Camera Terminology

Ariel movement- when the camera moves at a high angle, almost a birds eye view.

Tracking shot- makes the audience feel like they're part of the scene ( follows the character(s)/object(s) )

Tilt shot- gives you a full perspective of whats happening, the camera is stationary but moves up or down.

Pan shot- where the camera is stationary but moves left or right.

Extreme close up- when the camera closes up, showing the small minor details.

Extreme long shot- where the setting/image fills the frame. It gives us an idea of the location.

Long shot- where we see the subject in relation to their surrounding- the setting dominates.

Medium long shot- where the setting and the subject are in equal proportion.

Medium shot- when the subject is cut off the waist. You can still see their costumes but also some of their emotions.

Over the shoulder shot- so the audience can feel involved in the scene/ situation.

High angle shot- can make the subject appear weak or more vulnerable.

Low angle shot- where the camera is looking up at the subject, making them appear more powerful or menacing.

Canted angle- A shot which is tilted to one side. This is often used to create a feeling of disorientation.

Crab shot- A type of shot which involves the camera being placed in a confined space. e.g. A shot taken from inside a cupboard is, the subject opens the cupboard door.

Deep focus- A camera technique that allows objects both near and far from the camera to be in focus at the same time.

Establishing shot- The shot (usually wide or long), often used at he start of a programme of film, a new section of a programme or at the start of a new scene to establish the relationship between the set/location and the characters and to show the whole view.

Hand-held shot- A shot filmed with the camera not on a tripod but instead held by the camera man, often whilst walking. This makes the shots seem quite shaky. This can make the audience feel the scene is more realistic, or can make us feel like we are part of the action.

Head-on shot- For a type of shot in which the action comes directly toward the camera. Head-on shots are often used in war or action movies to enhance the sense of involvement and excitement of the audience, for example, charging cavalry may be directed at the camera.

Loose frame- Describes a shot where there is a lot of room around an object or person. Usually used to show them as being alone or isolated or unimportant.

Master shot- a camera shot used at the beginning of a sequence to establish the component elements and relationships in such a way as to allow the audience to make sense of the action follows.

Pull focus- Describes a shot where one thing was on focus, and then the lens is changed so that something else stops being blurry and becomes in focus. Often used to show how something has become more important.

Rule of thirds- Describes a technique used to make a shot look interesting. Rather than placing a person or object in the middle of the frame, they are placed at the sides , or where the lines cross on this imaginary grid.

Shallow focus- Describes a shot where an object near the front is in focus, and everything else behind is out of focus (blurry). Often used to make one thing seem more important.

Soft focus- In images, the use of a special lens or filter to create a hazy light around the subject. Soft focus shots are associated with the romantic or sentimental treatment of subject matter.

Tight frame- Describes a shot that is composed with the person or object given very little space around them. Often used to make them seem important, or trapped.

Whip pan- A very fast pan between two or more characters all points of interest. He gives the impression camera has been 'surprised' by activity and is used in the place of a more conventional cut or shot/reverse shot.

Wide shot- This can be used as an establishing shot of a set or location or to show a large crowd  of people. They can also emphasize the isolation of a single figure.

Zoom/Reverse zoom- The adjustment of the camera lens to allow the operator progressively to move in or close off or to pull away from the subject.

180 degree rule- Where, during a scene featuring two people or more, we can imaging an imaginary line joining those two people together. Adhering to the 180 degree rule would mean you would always ensure your camera was on one side of that line and the camera would never be crossed to the other side. Sticking tot he 180 degree rule allows the viewer to feel comfortable, helps us understand the positioning of the characters and makes it feel like real life.

Breaking the 180 degree rule (crossing the line)- Where, during a conversation or a scene between two people, the camera does NOT stick to one side of the line and crosses over at some point. This disorientates the viewer as we are unable to work out the position of the characters within the room. It makes the scene seem odd or strange and may reflect the feeling of the characters.