Types of Camera angles in Film

In the film industry there are a variety of camera shots/angles editors use to gain effect in their films. What I am about to show you is the variety of Camera angles/shots and why they're used and how they are effective in the filming industry.

BIG CLOSE UP

Taken from: STAR WARS; Return Of The Jedi

The first shot is Big close-up this shot is basically used in film to introduce us to a character, get their facial expressions and get us the characters emotions. It can also be used to see the characters reactions when in confrontation with another character. It's also used to show the physical features of a human or object, what it does is make us aware of specific detail or create tension dependent on the type of scene or film genre for example in thrillers.






CLOSE-UP

The angle close-up is a head only shot where we are met by the characters face where we connotate the characters emotions and why the character is presented the way they are. This shot is most commonly used when a new character is introduced, so that the viewers can analyse the character to know what's in store. It's blurs out background to focus on the object/character to make us either feel comfortable or uncomfortable with them. It's also a very common shot in romances


MEDIUM CLOSE-UP

 STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Back

Most common in dialogue scenes, the medium close-up camera angle takes us to a new level where we are given more than the face, but the background, where we can see what the setting is all about, in these shots background detail is minimal to keep your focus once again, on the character. However these shots have minimal detail because it's most likely you've already been inducted into the surroundings, and this way they can take your attention and put it into the dialogue. This is effective if the scenes dialogue is essential to the storyline.

MID-SHOT

STAR WARS: A New Hope

Don't get this shot confused with three shot (explained below) but what this shot does is focus on the waist up, just like the human eye would do at first glance. The purpose of this shot is to give us the idea of a characters body posture, expressions and not too mention the background which is crucial in films, the mid-shot is used very commonly and can be used when characters are in dialogue, or giving  information. In this context shown we can see its used to start a new scene and give us an idea of where our protagonists are. (If you want the feel of mid-shot ignore the two wide characters and focus on the man in the middle)

MEDIUM LONG SHOT

STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Back

Medium Long Shot is very similar to Mid shot, except that it reveals far more to give the viewer an idea of the setting whilst retaining focus on character, in this angle we can get an idea on the character in the way they're presented and the way they present themselves. It can be similar to Two shot as its mainly presented with one or more characters, However the main purpose of the shot is to emphasise the background image.

LONG/WIDE SHOT

This shot shows us whats going on in the film and presents us with either many or none figures, but the main purpose of the shot is to show the surrounding shot where the viewer can the connate to analyse what the scenes all about and where the shot is. These type of shots are very common in opening sequences where they give audiences the context of the film they're about to watch, for example this image is taken from the opening of STAR WARS; A New Hope.
It's a full shot to remain focus on character but like Medium Long shot, it makes you look deeper into the film.

STAR WARS: A New Hope

TWO SHOT

STAR WARS: Force Awakens.

Two shot is a camera angle in which the shot encompasses over a shot of two people. The two subjects don't necessarily need to be together, as there are many shots where one actor is in the foreground (look at Over Shoulder Shot for example). These type of shots are used to establish the two characters emotions, they also help you learn the relationships between the characters, the shot can also be involved to include an introduction of a new character. Two shot doesn't necessarily have to be a still shot, it could follow the characters along from behind and still be a shot, simply as long as two characters are presented.

THREE SHOT

STAR WARS; A New Hope

Three shot, very similar to Two shot just there is one more character. These shots however, are very common within conference scenes or when characters meet, it can help the viewers analyse the status of the group and what their intentions in the film are. There is very little background view to prevent audience eyes from wondering and focus specifically on character faces, so that you can learn the characters and adapt to their emotions.

HIGH ANGLE SHOT

STAR WARS: Return Of The Jedi

High Angle Shot is a camera shot from above specifically used in Horrors or Action films. The shots intentions are to emphasise the danger of circumstances (as shown below) or make the character look weak and vulnerable, it's all dependent on the moment of the film. They can make the film more dramatic, it's general effect however, is to weaken the subject and emphasise the danger. In this case its essentially used to hide the boardwalk and show the creature below to give us an idea there is no way out for the character emphasising on the point of vulnerability.  

LOW ANGLE SHOT

STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Back

Low Angle Shot is a very psychological shot where the influence is to give the focus character hierarchy and superiority, and intentionally create fear in the viewers so that they can see, this character is the real deal. The camera is positioned so that the Camera is angled below the sight of eye-line.  

OVER-THE-SHOULDER

STAR WARS: Revenge Of The Sith

Over-The-Shoulder shot is very common when two characters are in are in dialogue, it's a shot taken from a characters perspective where the lens can focus on the opposite characters reaction, as seen in the image, this is an example except its rare for both characters to face the camera.