Year 7 Media Arts · Making Media — Produce and Present · 8m read

Camera Shots and Angles

Where you put the camera changes how the audience feels. Shot sizes and angles are the first tools of visual storytelling.

Learning objective: Use camera shots and angles to create meaning.

By the end of this lesson you can:

• I can name shot sizes.
• I can use angles to show power.
• I can plan shots for effect.

The camera is the audience's eyes. Wherever you point the camera is exactly what the audience sees — no more, no less. Shot size and angle decide whether they feel close, distant, powerful or small.

The camera's view

SHOT SIZES:
• EXTREME LONG SHOT — setting. LONG SHOT — whole body. MEDIUM SHOT — waist up. CLOSE-UP — face/emotion. EXTREME CLOSE-UP — detail.

ANGLES:
• HIGH ANGLE — looks down; subject seems small or weak.
• LOW ANGLE — looks up; subject seems powerful.
• EYE LEVEL — neutral.
• BIRD'S-EYE — directly above.

MOVEMENT:
• Pan, tilt, zoom, tracking.

| Shot | Shows | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme long shot | Huge setting | Establishes place, smallness |
| Long shot | Whole body + setting | Context, action |
| Medium shot | Waist up | Conversation, body language |
| Close-up | Face | Emotion |
| Extreme close-up | Eyes, detail | Intensity, clue |
| High angle | Looking down | Subject seems weak |
| Low angle | Looking up | Subject seems powerful |
| Dutch angle | Tilted | Unease |

Key ideas at a glance

• Shot size = emotional distance: Closer = more intense.
• Angle = power: Low powerful, high weak.
• Vary shots: Keep it interesting.
• Name shot + effect: In analysis.

Worked example (Easy)

Which shot best shows a character's fear?

1. Shot. Close-up on the face.
2. Why. Shows emotion clearly.

Answer: A close-up.

Worked example (Medium)

Choose shots for a scene where a student wins an award.

1. Establish. Long shot of the full hall.
2. Reaction. Close-up of surprised face.
3. Power. Low angle as they walk on stage.
4. Detail. Extreme close-up of the trophy.

Answer: Long → close-up → low angle → extreme close-up.

Common mistakes

• Using only medium shots Visual storytelling becomes flat. Fix: Vary shot sizes.
• Filming everything as a medium shot Flat, boring. Fix: Mix shot sizes and angles.

The rule of thirds

Imagine a 3×3 grid over the frame. Placing a subject on the lines or intersections (not dead centre) creates more interesting, balanced images.

Most phone cameras have a grid option — turn it on to practise.

Practice questions

1. A low-angle shot makes a subject seem:

   1. Weak
   2. Powerful
   3. Distant
   4. Funny

   (1 marks)

2. What does an extreme long shot establish?

   (2 marks)

3. A low-angle shot makes the subject seem:

   1. Weak
   2. Powerful
   3. Far away
   4. Confused

   (1 marks)

4. Which shot best shows emotion?

   1. Extreme long shot
   2. Close-up
   3. Long shot
   4. Aerial

   (1 marks)

5. Explain the effect of a Dutch angle.

   (2 marks)

Summary

• Shot sizes from extreme long to extreme close-up.
• Angles show power.
• Camera movement adds energy.
• Shot size and angle shape audience feeling.