Cinematography Basics: Types of Shot
Cinematography is the art of the moving image. It is very closely related to photography, and during this assignment you should seek to apply the compositional and technical skills learnt during the first year to capturing moving images.
During this session, we’ll be discussing types of shot. Just as with photography, film adheres to certain conventions. And just as with photography, these conventions should be thought of as the language of cinematography.
Below are examples of the most basic types of shot. However, it’s not enough just to know what they are; you should also know what they mean. What message do they communicate to the viewer?
Fort Apache: The Bronx (1981)
Long shots orient the viewer by showing the viewer where you are and what is going on. They are frequently used as establishing shots - the opening shot of a scene.. Long shots are also suitable when you want to emphasize the environment and the subject’s relationship with it.
Long shots typically feature all or nearly all of the body. Closer than an Extreme Wide Shot, they provide the viewer with more detail of the subject, making it easier to read the character’s emotions. However, they will typically still contain some environmental context, so can also emphasize the importance of the location.
Medium shots show the subject roughly from the waist up. Medium shots are extremely common; it’s a very natural distance, reflecting how we typically see the world when we interact with people. This distance allows us to read the subject’s emotion through facial expressions and body language. We can simultaneously notice details regarding the subject whilst having enough of a sense of the environment around him/her to feel orientated. When employing medium shots, it’s generally a good idea to leave headroom (space above the character’s head) so the shot doesn’t feel cluttered or claustrophobic. Lead space is the negative space next to the subject and is usually left to the side in which the subject is gazing.
In a typical close-up, the subject’s face typically takes up all the space from top to bottom of the shot. Close-ups are very effective at communicating a character’s emotions and can add a sense of tension or drama to a scene. Alternatively, close-ups can highlight the importance of objects or actions (such as loading a gun or looking at a watch).
Extreme close-ups focus on one part of a subject’s face or body (or one part of an object or place). Extreme close-ups are used to emphasize the importance of their subject or highlight crucial actions. They are typically used sparingly - use them too much and they lose their power.
Angles are also crucial to the language of cinematography. It’s important you consider the significance of the following types of angled shot:
Angles can be used to imply a relationship of power between characters. Low angle shots make a subject look bigger and more imposing, implying that the character is dominant, They can inspire awe or fear in the viewer. Additionally, low angle shots can be used to exaggerate the size of an environment.
Conversely, high angle shots can be used to make a character seem small, lost or powerless. They create a distorted sense of environment and can be (deliberately) disorientating. In the above shot, rather than making Charles Foster Kane seem weak or powerless, the high angle shot is used to portray him as conquering his environment, whilst also suggesting that he is out of control.
Point of view shots put the viewer in the position of one of the characters. They invite the viewer in to the character’s world, asking them to feel what the character feels at that moment. They are frequently used to frighten or exhilarate.
So, that’s an overview of the basic shot types and their meanings in the language of cinematography.
