Camera Elements

Camera elements to consider are:

- Shot size/distance
- Camera angle
- Focus
- Camera movement

Shot size/Distance:

This shows the camera position related to the subject.

Long Shot: This shows the entire object, along with the entire setting around it. Although this gives us a huge amount of detail, given the length of the shot, the characters facial expressions are usually too hard to see. When there is an extreme long shot of the start of a scene it is called the Establishing Shot.

Medium Shot: This shows the characters emotion and surroundings, which gives us a huge amount of information in one frame. This is the most common type of shot used.

Close Up Shot: A close up conforms the viewer into focusing onto something that takes up the entire screen. This enables an emotional emphasis as their facial expressions can be seen much clearer and can add emphasis towards an important object. 

Extreme Close Up Shot: This is when the camera goes incredibly close to an object or person, which is often used in horror films. This creates an dramatic effect. 

Camera Angle:

This is similar to shot size/distance. Angles to consider are High angle, Low angle and Canted angle. 

High Angle: This is when the camera is held above the person or object, usually making them seem a lot smaller than they actually are. Making a character look smaller symbolises weakness and vulnerability. 

Low Angle: The camera is positioned below the subject, often providing a sense of power and dominance in a character with this angle. 

Canted Angle: A horizontal line runs diagonally across the frame as if the camera has been tilted. This gives the impression that the character is unstable or disorientated and is usually shot to dedicate intoxication. 

Focus:

Deep focus and Shallow focus is when an image is sharp and in focus or is shallow which is blurry.

Deep Focus: This is when the foreground and the background are both in focus and are clear.

Shallow Focus: Either the foreground or background is sharp and the other is soft, usually to draw attention to a certain aspect of the frame.

Camera Movements: 

These movements of the camera usually adds a sense of energy.

Dolly Based Movement: This is when a camera is on an object that can often resemble a train like figure and will be pushed or pulled around on tracks to make a movement smooth and controlled. This could be whilst someone is running the dolly will be pushed to keep up with the movement of the character.

Movement around a fixed point: This can be done either handheld or with a tripod, either including a pan or a tilt.

Steadicam: Gives the sense of a floating camera as there is no tripod and minimal hand shaking. As seen in the opening of Boogie Nights.

Handheld: The camera is usually on someones shoulders, but can be proven quite difficult as this is a heavy piece of equipment being held as still as possible, which will often lead to quite an unsteady shot of film. This does give a sense of realism which is why it is often used in filming documentaries. 

Crane: A small crane is placed on set and this gives quite effective shots of the scene as it is able to zoom in from quite a height, as well as move around with little effort. 

Helicopter/Aeriel: This adds emphasis on the narrative environment usually using a helicopter to get a view of the entire setting around the character.