Different Camera angle using in filmmaking.

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Types of Camera Shot Angles

ADJUSTING CAMERA HEIGHT FOR IMPACT

1. Eye Level Shot
2. Low Angle Shot
3. High Angle Shot
4. Hip Level Shot
5. Knee Level Shot
6. Ground Level Shot
7. Shoulder-Level Shot
8. Dutch Angle Shot
9. Birds-Eye-View Shot / Overhead Shot
10. Aerial Shot / Helicopter Shot

It’s not enough to just understand shot size. Camera angles, and degree of those angles, can totally change the meaning of a film shot.

What is camera shot angle?

The camera shot angle is used to specify the location where the camera is placed to take a shot. The position of the camera in relation to the subjects can affect the way the viewer perceives the scene. A scene may be shot simultaneously from multiple camera angles to amplify effect on emotions.There are many camera angles at a filmmaker’s disposal and can even be combined for additional effect. Here’s a rundown of every camera angle, how they work, and whey they might work best in your next shot list.For a downloadable “cheatsheet,” here is a shot list with the different types of camera shot angles:

Eye Level Shot

First, consider the most common height: the eye level shot. When your subject is at eye-level they’re in a neutral perspective (not superior or inferior). This mimics how we see people in real life — our eye line connecting with theirs.

Types of Angles: Eye Level Shot Example in Forrest Gump

Here’s another eye level shot example from one of the best Tim Burton movies Alice in Wonderland:

Types of Camera Shot Angles: Eye Level Shot Example in Alice in Wonderland.

Low Angle Shot

A low angle shot frames the subject from a low camera height looking up at them. These camera shots most often emphasize power dynamics between characters.

superior character with the upper hand is often framed from down low. This makes an inferior feel like they are looking up to them.

High Angle Shot

In a high angle shot, the camera points down at your subject. It usually creates a feeling of inferiority, or “looking down” on your subject.

But, as the video below shows, there are creative expressions of this type of angle that can vary depending its context.

Here’s an example of a high angle shot from one of the best romantic movies The Princess Bride:

Hip Level Shot

A hip level shot is when your camera is roughly waist-high.

Types of Camera Angles: Hip Level Shot Example in Reservoir Dogs

Here’s another hip level shot example from one of the best romantic comedies Punch-Drunk Love:

Knee Level Shot

This is when your camera height is about as low as your subject’s knees. They can emphasize a character’s superiority, if paired with a low angle.

Here’s another knee level shot example:

Ground Level Shot

A ground level shot is when your camera’s height is on ground level with your subject. Needless to say, this shot captures what’s going on the ground your subject stands on.

Types of Angles: Ground Level Shot Example in Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi

Here’s another ground level shot example:

Shot Types: Ground Level Shot Example in Black Swan

Here’s another ground level shot example from one of many Stanley Kubrick’s marvelous movie

Metal Jacket:

Shoulder Level Shot

This is when your camera is roughly as high as your subject’s shoulders. Shoulder level shots are actually much more standard than an eye level shot, which can make your actor seem shorter than reality:

Types of Camera Shot Angles: Shoulder Level Shot in Black Panther

A shoulder level shot can maximize the feeling of superiority when paired with a low angle. Here’s another shoulder level shot example:

Types of Camera Angles: Shoulder Level Shot Example in No Country For.

Dutch Angle or Dutch Tilt Shot

For a dutch angle (dutch tilt), the camera is slanted to one side. With the horizon lines tilted in this way, you can create a sense of disorientation. This video breaks down a key moment in Mission: Impossible when Ethan first realizes that he’s being set up.

Bird’s Eye View Shot or Overhead Shot 

An overhead shot is from way up high, looking down on your subject and a good amount of the scenery surrounding him or her. This can create a great sense of scale and movement.

Here’s an overhead shot example:

Aerial Shot

Whether taken from a helicopter or drone, this is a shot from way up high. It establishes a large expanse of scenery. The opening shots of one of the best cyberpunk movies Blade Runner use them to establish futuristic cityscapes.

Types of Camera Shot Angles: Aerial Shot Example in Blade Runner

Affordable drones have made aerial photography more accessible to filmmakers. Once considered a big-budget luxury or stock-footage mainstay, original aerial photography is now within reach of almost any production, all thanks to the “rise” of drones (and Sky-net).

Blogger-Akash Shinde😍 (Assistant Director)

Student of journalism and Mass communication.