Finding the Best Camera Angles for Your Shoot
Finding the best camera angles can make a difference between whether a scene is impressive or just something to look at. Checkout these tips on finding the best camera angles for your shoot to make the most out of your upcoming video production. These practical tips to choosing your camera angles and shots will help you get started.
Understand Your Angles
The first step to finding the best camera angles is to know the various angles and how they work. Much like a great pool player is a geometric genius at times, recognizing internally how angels play a role in where the ball will go and when.
A great cinematographer knows how the angles of a shot can come into play in bringing an otherwise flat or 2-dimensional view into a beautiful depth that produces an emotional shot.
The Basics
To get an idea of how camera angles can change with even the slightest movement, start with a basic close up shot in front of the camera. Slowly, change the angles that your face sits at in front of the camera and watch as the shot changes.
Now, get behind the camera and do the same, slowly adjust the angle of the camera on your subject and see how even the slightest tilt down or to one side changes the emotions of the scene.
Vertical Positioning
Use vertical positioning of the camera to convey a sense of character dominance or to evoke a sense of power as the audience looks up at the subject.
A camera that films below eye level at a low angle can produce this appearance of dominance and power whereas a camera that is placed at a high angle will make the same character appear weak or obedient towards the audience.
Bird’s Eye
Similar to what it sounds, the Birds’ Eye position of the camera directly above where the action is taking place will allow the audience to dissect the view and may even make an otherwise common object difficult to recognize. This can be used to create a sense of wonder or questioning of what will happen next.
Dutch Angle
The Dutch Angle shot is seen in a lot of horror movies and in music videos. This camera angle involves a slightly cater cornered angle from below in which the emotions depicted often are that of alienation and tension or a feeling of deep uncertainty. This kind of camera angle should not be overused.
Over the Shoulder
Positioning the audience right in the heart of the story, the over the shoulder camera angle positions the camera behind the back of one subject and directly in front of the other. Similar to a mirror view.
The camera angles that you choose will depend on a variety of elements relative to your film. Once you’ve determined the basic elements and tones of your film you can begin to experiment with different camera angles and formats to help your audience connect more deeply with your story.
Engage the audience, and build your story with the camera angles that work best for your production shoot.
Need help finding the best camera angles for your video project? Contact Beverly Boy Productions today to work with a dedicated production crew that will put together attributable shots that will captivate your audience. We can’t wait to get started with you!
