[camera basics]

PENINSULA GRAMMAR MEDIA
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    • Camera Basics
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    • Representations

The rule of Thirds

The first rule of framing your shot is the rule of thirds. Imagine placing a naughts and crosses grid over your frame. (Many cameras actually have this setting!) You want to keep your subject in line with your vertical lines, with enough look room in the direction they are facing.
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This also works with landscapes. You should aim to place your horizon on the horizontal lines on your grid. If we were to place our subjects or horizons in the centre of the frame we would have a symmetrical image. Symmetry is uncommon to our eye and looks un-natural. We should avoid it unless we want it (ahem... Wes Anderson!)

Camera Movement

There are many ways that we can move the camera to follow a subject or reveal more of a landscape. Some are simple, and others are a little more complicated.

Pan

move the camera from left to right or right to left from a fixed position (like on a tripod)

Tilt

Move the camera up or down from a fixed position (like on a tripod)

Zoom

zoom in: to move from a long shot to a close up
​zoom out: to move from a close up to a long shot

Dolly

To move the camera physically inwards or outwards (either handheld or on dolly tracks

Truck

To move camera physically left or right (either handheld or on tracks)

Follow

A shot that follows a character or action in one long take. Usually assisted by a gimbal or steady cam 

Zolly

A shot that zooms in while dollying out or zooms out while dollying in. Its keeps the object in focus while changing the scale and perspective of the background. A very difficult shot to achieve.

Camera Angles

Eye level

This angle puts the subject at the audiences eye level. It suggest that they are equal to us.
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Low Angle

This angle suggests that the subject has some kind of dominance
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High Angle

This angle suggests that the subject has some kind of venerability.
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Dutch Angle

This angle suggests that there may be something strange about the subject.
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Shot Types

Extreme Close Up (ECU)
Close Up (CU)
Medium Close Up (MCU)
Medium Shot (MS)
Medium Long Shot (MLS)
Long SHot (LS)
Extreme Long Shot (ELS)

and...
Cut Ins!

​


The Camera Skills task

camera_skills_task.pptx
File Size: 181 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

planning document for camera skills task

camera_skills_planning.docx
File Size: 283 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Media Studies @ Peninsula Grammar


Brendan Carroll

Telephone

(03) 9788 7835

Email

bcarroll@peninsulagrammar.vic.edu.au
  • HOME
  • Units 3 and 4
    • Narrative and Ideology >
      • Ideology
      • American Beauty
      • Get Out
      • Audiences
      • Characteristics of Construction
      • Video Essay #1 - Codes and Conventions
      • Video Essay #2 - Ideology
      • SAC/Exam prep
    • Agency and Control in and of the Media >
      • Communication Theories
      • Regulation
      • Influential Forms of Media
      • Positive/negative examples
      • Legal and Ethical Issues
      • Video essays
      • SAC/Exam Prep
    • Media Production Process >
      • Media Production Design
      • Pre-Production Experiments
      • Film-Making top tips!
      • exam prep
    • Past student work
    • End of Year Exam
  • Year 10 Media
    • Auteur Folio
    • Camera Basics
    • Film Analysis
    • Representations