Camera technique (Cinematography)

Cinematography is the use of the camera in film making.

There are various elements to consider:

• Shot size/Distance 
• Angle 
• Focus 
• Camera Movement 
• Colour and stock 

Shot Size/ Distance 
The shot size or distance is the camera's relation to the subject.

Long shot
A long shot is the person or object far away from the camera, it can gives you a lot of context. It is less information from performance. It can also see a lot of background behind the person/object.

This is a long shot because the person is not close to the camera. 

Medium Shot

Medium Shots allows the viewer to see both context and character. It can also see their emotions and the location they are in. There is enough information in the frame to get a sense of where the character is and what type of person he/she might be.

This is a medium shot because the person is not far away from the frame and we can also see the objects and background in the frame.

Two Shot

Two shot is when you have two character in two medium shot and the medium long shot. The subject do not have to be next to each other, and there are many two-shots have one subject in the foreground and the other in the background.

Over the shoulder

Over the shoulder means the camera is behind the other character and the camera is trying to take the character talking to the person. It also allow the viewer to see both a character talking and what he/she is saying being reacted to.

Close-Up

Close-Up shot means the camera is very close to the character face. It is very focused, and the viewer are forced to see the minimal set of details. Viewers are encouraged to feel what the character is feeling as well.

This is a very close up picture because you can see the character facial expression very clear.

Extreme Close Up
Extreme Close Up shot means that the camera is very close to the person eyes or other parts of the face. It is often used for horror films.

This is a extreme close up shot because you can see the lady's eyes is very close to the camera.

Angles

Angles is defined by the camera's position in relation to the subject.

There are three types of angles that uses in movie:

Low Angle 

High Angle 

Canted Angle 

Low Angle is taken from the below of the subject. This angle makes the subject look stronger and more powerful.

This is a low angle it makes the officers look more powerful.

High Angle is a shot which take from the above to the bottom. This shot makes the person/subject  look smaller and it also shows that the person/subjects looks weak and vulnerable.

This is a high angle and the people looks smaller and vulnerable.

Canted Angle is when the horizon-line of the image runs diagonally across the frame.

This is a canted angle.

Camera Movement 

In film, the camera is always moving. There are 8 types of camera movement:

• Tilt 
• Pan 
• Push-in/Pull-out/Dolly 
• Track 
• Handheld
• Steadicam 
• Crane 
• Helicopter/Drone 

Pan: Horizontal movement around a fixed point.

Tilt: Vertical movement around a fixed point.

Dolly-based Movement

Push-in/ Pull out: Camera moves into or out of the frame. Also know as Dollying.

Tracking Shot: Camera moves across the frame.

Handheld movement is when the camera is carried on the operator's shoulder. It is a film camera therefore is very heavy to carry.

Steadicam allows for the free movement of the camera without tripods and dollies, with minimal camera-shake.

Helicopter/Drone is flying, it is a aerial shot. That means the camera is flying on the sky and film the movie.

Long Tracking Shots is where the camera moves alongside the object.