Camera Techniques

Technique	Definition	Example
Establishing Shot	Usually the first shot of a new scene, designed to show audience the setting, usually a very wide shot.
Extreme Long Shot	Normally used to show the exterior i.e, the outside of a building. USed to establish the scene.
Long Shot	Long shot is used to show the background or venue in where the event is taking place.
Mid Shot	Shows some of the subject in detail while giving the impression of the whole subject. Used during dialogue sequences. Allows audience to pick up on subjects movement.
Close Up	Zoomed on a certain part or feature of a subject. They are normally on a person's face to show expression. Useful for showing detail.
Extreme Close Up	It is used to allow the audience to enter the characters personal space, they are zoomed in very close to a particular feature of a subject. They are used to convey emotion.
POV	Shows the perspective of the character often looking through the characters eyes. During this shot you never see the characters whose view you are viewing from. They often used to add drama in chase scenes.
Over The Shoulder	Filmed from just behind a person. They tend to show the back of a person’s head. They are used to show the subjects point of view.
Bird’s Eye View	Is an elevated shot of an object from above.
Low Angle	Camera looks upwards towards a subject to make the subject look powerful.
High Angle	Camera looks downwards to subject to make the subject look weak.
Tracking	Used to observe a character on the move.	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOTSI5T5gAs
Panning	Horizontal movement of the camera. Used to follow a moving subject.	https://youtu.be/4kBVrhyOp6I?t=10s
Zoom	Altering the length of the shot. To either increase or decrease the length of a shot on a character.	https://youtu.be/ANfb6dGIUqw?t=42s
Fade	Used for transitions from scene to scene	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bup_zehvBo
Wipe	When one shot is replaced by another.	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z72bJXrVko4