Understanding different types of camera angles will help you perceive movies in a better way.
Being a visual medium, capturing the moments with perfect camera angles is averyimportant criteria for any motion picture. Using different angles, the filmmaker actually adds multiple layers to the narrative, evokes a variety of emotions, provides us numerous perspectives to approach the scenes and more. Also, it depicts the relative dominance of the characters among surroundings which is left for the viewers to interpret. So, without any further ado, let's take a look at some of the most commonly used camera angles in filmmaking.
A low angle shot refers to when the camera looks up at the subject from below the eyeline. This camera angle is mostly used to establish hero or villain in a scene, as it portrays the character as dominating, more powerful and larger than life. Also, it delivers a sense of authority, like the common people are looking at their leader from a low angle. In Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight', Joker is most of the time framed in low angle shots.
A high angle shot is exactly the opposite of what low angle shot refers to. Thisis when the camera captures the subject from above or a high angle.This means, it makes the subject seem weak, vulnerable and dominated. This camera angle is mostly used in horror or survival thriller movies, as it portrays the character as inferior to the surrounding.
Bird's eye view or overhead shot refers to when the high angle shot is in its extreme position, from 90 degrees above the subject. This is when the camera looks down from above, providing a full view of the actions below. This camera angle is mostly used to establish the location, portray position of the subject according to the vast world, offer details of the scene and more.
A Dutch angle shot is when the camera captures the subject in a tilt angle. This means that the camera angle isn't level with the horizon lines, offering a variety of emotions to the viewers. It's mostly used to evoke a sense of suspense, terror, uneasiness or disorientation. This camera angle also intensifies the tension between the characters.
An over the shoulder or OTS shot is generally used to create a connection between two characters face to face. This is when the camera is positioned over the shoulder of a person, taking a close up of the other character from there. This camera angle helps us approach the scene from the perspective of the subject.
Some other commonly used camera angles are eye level shot, wide angle, aerial shot, cowboy angle, point of view, fisheye angle, telephoto angle etc.
