Camera Shot Framing

Lets have a look at some of the ways that you can frame your shot when capturing images and video of a subject for your production.

- Framing refers to what you see through the lens of the camera.

- Subject refers to the focus in the frame. This can be a person (boy in the following shots) or objects like a bottle of water.

HINT: Try to learn the abbreviations for each type of shot in the brackets below.

Framing Types

Wide Shot (WS) OR Establishing Shot

This type of shot is used to establish an environment at the the very beginning of your video. It gives the audience an understanding of where the action is taking place.

Long Shot (LS)

This type of shot shows the whole object from a distance. We can use this hot to help establish the

Medium Shot (MS)

This type of shot shows a part of the subject from the waist up and can be used to show a specific action or dialogue from the subject.

Close Up (CU)

A close up is used to emphasise someone emotions and are great for showing detail of the object or person. A close up is normally of someones face.

Extreme Close Up (ECU )

This shot is used to show extreme detail or emotion of someone. You might use this type of shot to show someone crying. focusing on the tear as an example.

Over the Shoulder (OTS)

The over the shoulder shot is used to establish the position of the people in the scene and to see from the point of view of one of the characters.

An example may be in a dialogue between two people.

Camera Angles

There are three types of angles that you can use when framing shots. They can be used with the different types of camera shots shown above.

Eye Level Shot (E/L)

This shot is taken straight on to the subject or object at eye line. Its the most commonly used type of shot in most productions like interviews and news reading.

Would be used for a dialogue between two characters as an example.

High Angle Shot (H/A)

The high angle shot looks down on the subject or object from above. It makes the subject look vulnerable, weak and small.

Like a bully, looking down on the person they have just pushed over.

Low Angle Shot (L/A)

The low angle shot looks up at the subject from the ground for example. It makes the subject look bigger, stronger and have more power.

Like the victim looking up at the bully from the ground.

Eye Level

High Angle

Low Angle

Framing Tips

Head Room - Be careful when framing your object that you don't cut off the persons head at the top of the frame. Try and leave a small space above their head where possible, as it makes the picture look more professional. This is the same with objects

Rule of Thirds - When trying to figure out how to take that perfect shot, think about dividing your frame into thirds, to make 9 boxes like the image below.

When framing shots, try where possible to get particular features like eyes to line up with first horizontal line. Or when taking shots of the environment or objects, get them to line up with one of the vertical lines.

Year 7 - Practical Task

Open the task sheet and complete each of the tasks

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