Camera Work

Basic Framing

• a shot taken from a close distance in which the subject is magnified to appear relatively large and fill the entire frame to focus attention

• close-up shot

• a shot taken from an extremely close distance in which the subject is magnified to appear very large to vividly emphasize its importance

• extreme close-up shot

• a shot in which the subject is framed from a medium distance, e.g. the waist up

• medium shot

• a shot in which the subject is framed completely from head to toe or top to bottom

• long shot

• a shot filmed from a far-away location relative to the subject; often used for an establishing shot

• extreme long shot

Camera Angles

• a shot in which the figure is framed at eye level, the most common angle

• straight-on angle

• shifts the camera head on the diagonal either right or left, symbolizing confusion or danger

• canted frame

• a shot in which the camera is operated from beneath the figure with the viewer’s perspective looking up at the figure, often implying strength or triumph

• low angle

• a shot in which the camera is operated from above the figure with the viewer’s perspective looking down on the figure, often implying weakness or defeat

• high angle

• a shot that is taken from an aircraft or extremely high crane and implies the observer’s omniscience; also known as “aerial view”

• bird’s eye view

• a pole-like device for holding the microphone in the air, out of camera range

• boom

Visual Orientation

• a rule that camera operators must follow – an imaginary line on one side of the axis of action which the camera must not cross

• 180-degree rule

• a medium or close-up shot of two people, often in dialogue with each other, to provide contrast between the two characters

• two-shot

• a shot in which the subject is photographed by an encircling or moving camera

• arc shot

Focus

• a depth of composition of a shot where there are several planes -- foreground, middle-ground, and background -- in focus. Also called “deep focus.”

• depth of field

• A lens of variable focal length

• zoom

• to adjust the lens during a shot so that the subject is in focus

• rack focus

• a day’s shooting on film which is quickly developed in the lab and viewed to determine if retakes are necessary

• rushes or dailies

Special Cameras

• a hand-held camera with a special mechanical harness that allows the operator to take steady shots while moving with the action

• steadicam

• a specialized big-screen format about ten times larger than the traditional 35mm cinema format

• IMAX

Axis Movement

• the horizontal movement of a camera head on the axis of its tripod

• pan

• the vertical movement of the camera head on the axis of its tripod

• tilt

Camera Movement

• a trolley on which a camera can be horizontally moved about on tracks

• dolly

• the movement of a camera on a dolly: forward, backwards, or to one side. Also called a “dolly shot.”

• tracking or trucking shot

• a shot in which a moving camera keeps pace with a moving subject

• running shot