CAMERA ANGLE

CAMERA ANGLE

It is defined as the area and viewpoint recorded by the lens. There are three types of camera angles. They are: -

Objective camera angles
Subjective camera angles
Point-of-view angles.

Objective:

In this angle the audience view the event through the eyes of an unseen observer and also referred to as audience point-of-view. In this type of angles, the actors unware of the camera and never look directly into the lens.

Subjective:

The subjective camera angle films from a personal viewpoint. The viewer is placed either on his own as active participant or seeing the events through the eyes of the characters.
E.g. the narrator-player comments on the story directly to the audience. The television newsreader, speaks directly into the lens.

Point-of-view:

These angles record from a particular players viewpoint. The viewer views the events from the players’ viewpoint as if standing along-side him. POV shots often follow over the shoulder shot. E.g.: A pair of players faces each other and exchange dialogue.

There are three important factors that determine the camera angle. a) Subject size, b) Subject angle and c) Camera height.

Subject size:

The size of the image is determined by the distance between the camera from the subject and the lens focal length used to make the shot. There are different types of shots. They are: -

Extreme long shot: refer

Mid-long shot:
This shot is used to show a full size of an actor. There are three important factors that determine the camera angle.

Long shot: refer

Medium shot: refer

Close up: refer

Inserts:

The insert is a cut of a close-up of a letter, newspaper headline or a sign. It is very important to show in large size for a plot requirement.

Subject angle:

When recording the three-dimensional work on a two-dimensional screen, the camera has to be placed in a correct way to record the depth effectively. Such placement is the effective camera angle. Facial modeling is best when subject is angled at three-quarter-lighting, camera and players movement.

Camera height:

Artistic, Dramatic, Psychological overtones may be contributed to the story telling by adjusting the height of the camera to the subject.

Eye level angle:

Objective shots should be filmed from the eye-level of an average person, which shows the view as seen by an observer. In any shot the mood and dramatic quality are more or less same when the camera is set at eye level.

Subjective close ups are always filmed from the eye level, in which the subject looks directly into the lens. The camera at eye level can give the viewer a subjective impression when a car or train rushed towards the camera.

High angle:

In this shot, the camera is tilted downward to view the subject. This helps the audience to get a correct geography of the setting. Actions occurring in depth such as a football match may be viewed from high angle. This angle reduces the height of the actor or object. This angle can show a fast moving action like a chase sequence.

Low angle:

In this shot, the camera is tilted upward to view the subject. This angle increases the subject’s height and speed. Low angle are also used to cover the floor action and the exploitation of set. Low angle shots also act as POV shots of one player looking up at another. Structures like skyscrapers will have increased height while shooting up at them.

A low angle with wide-angle lens adds tremendous speed and power to the moving objects.
E.g.: when a group of persons enter from the bottom of the frame of a low angle
Shot, a dramatic effect is achieved.

Psychological uses of the Camera Angles:

The basic psychological purpose of a motion picture is to make the audience to react in a desired mood. Camera viewpoint can have great effect on the emotions of the audience. High angle, low angle, tilt and subjective angling of the camera, the viewer may strongly influence his emotional reactions on the screen than the normal eye-level of a position.
E.g.:
Closer shots help the viewer involving more in the action. Though subjective camera treatment, the viewer may experience the attitude of the player through whose eyes he is looking.

The camera may create suspense by angling downward on the murderer showing a knife in his hand but his identity is not revealed.

Through specific camera placements the audience may be made to be shocked at slum conditions, angered by a corrupt political situation and inspired by a religious message.

Dramatic effects of Camera Angles:

If a script requires an existing treatment of the action, the dramatic factors have to be analysed and the camera should not disturb the story telling. But dramatic material could be further enhanced by inspired camera treatment.
E.g.: If a powerful majestic is setting must be established in an extreme long shot to impress the audience. The director may choose extreme close-up for greater audience attention.

If particular scenes require audience identity over the main player, the subjective camera angles may be selected.

Director may use number of techniques like tilt angles, Dolly shots, Dramatic lighting, Extreme wide-angle lens to achieve the dramatic effects in his narration.