Cinematography: Difference between revisions

   An important function of a cinematographer is to be aware of proper camera positions and angles while capturing a an image for the screen. There are many camera angles involved in producing an acceptable shot for the audience. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-angle_shot high angle shot] means that the camera is positioned higher than the viewer's eyeline. In order to obtain this type of shot, the camera is positioned above the subject being filmed as if looking down at the scene. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-angle_shot low angle shot] is a shot in which the camera is positioned below the eyeline and makes the shot appear as if the audience is looking up at the scene. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_view_shot point of view] is when a the camera is showing a scene from the viewpoint of a particular character in the movie. To obtain a point of view shot, the cinematographer must place the camera to the side of the person whose point of view is being depicted. There are angles which also can be depicted from the above angles such as an extreme long shot is a high angle shot which is captured from very far away. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_angle medium long shot] is closer up than an extreme long shot and the people and settings in the scene become more visible. A medium shot is portrayed from the knees or waist of the character up and a medium close up is obtained from the chest up. There are two types of shots which show the person in the scene in a very personal position. The close-up shows from the shoulders up and then the extreme close-up shows strictly from the neck up or it could show an eye, hand or other particular body parts and is an extremely rare shot to show in a movie.

   Cinematography is very important when producing a motion picture for an audience. Camera shots are essential to capturing the entire story being told and if the cinematography is badly done, the entire movie is bad.