Camera angles

It is important that you do not confuse camera angles and camera shots. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of setting, themes and characters. Camera angles are used to position the viewer so that they can understand the relationships between the characters. These are very important for shaping meaning in film as well in other visual texts.



Eye- level angle

• An eye-level angle puts the audience on an equal footing with the character/s. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.

Low angle

• A low angle is a camera angle that looks up at a character. This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character. This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from another character´s point of view.

High angle

• A high angle is a camera angle that looks down up on a subject. A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. These angles are often used to demostrate to the audience a perspective of a particular character.

Bird´s eye angle

• A bird´s eye angle is an angle that looks directly down up on a scene. This angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an extreme long shot, to establish setting.