Photography

Bird's-Eye View

a shot in which the camera photographs a scene from directly above.

High Angle

a shot in which the subject is photographed from above.

Low Angle

a shot in which the subject is photographed from below.

Point-of-View

any shot that is taken from the vantage point of a character in the film showing what the character does.

Canted Angle (Oblique Angle/Dutch Tilt)

a shot photographed by a camera tilted on a diagonal. The image projected on the screen will appear to be tilted at a diagonal.

Flat Angle (Eye-Level)

the placement of a camera approximately 5-6 feet from the ground corresponding to the height of an observer on the scene.

High Key

a lighting design that minimizes contrast by creating a bright, even level of illumination throughout the scene.

Low Key

a lighting design that maximizes contrast by lighting selected areas of the scene for proper exposure and leaving other areas underexposed.

Three-Point Lighting

three principle sources of lighting: key, fill, and back lighting.

Key Light

the main source of illumination in a scene. Usually directed on the face of the performer.

Fill Light

a light placed opposite the key light and is often used to reduce or soften shadows.

Backlights

a light source illuminating the space between the performer and the rear wall of the set.

Establishing Shot

a type of long shot used to establish a setting or scene.

Long Shot

camera set up at a distance from the subject of the shot. A person's full body can be seen in a long shot; they are also often used to stress the environment or setting.

Medium Shot

camera is set up to record from full to half-figure shots of the subject.

Close-up

camera is set up in close proximity to an actor's face or other subject that fills the frame.

Over-the-shoulder shot

Usually contains two figures, one with his/her back to the camera, and the other facing the camera.

Green/Blue Screen

filming of live actors against a blank and colored screen for subsequent compositing with digital elements.

180⁰ Rule

In order to not confuse the viewer, an imaginary "axis of action" line is drawn through the middle of the scene, the camera must stay on the same side of the axis line to keep the same background. For example, in a car chase, if a vehicle leaves the right side of the frame in one shot, it should enter from the left side of the frame in the next shot. Leaving from the right and entering from the right will create a sense of disorientation in the viewer.

Panning Shots

Camera pivots from side to side on a fixed tripod or base. Used to follow action of a scene or to anticipate movement of performers.

Reaction Shot

A cut to a shot of a character's reaction to the contents of the preceding shot.

Tilt Shots

Camera pivots up or down from a fixed base. Used to follow action or reveal detail.

Dolly/Tracking Shots

Camera moves through space on a wheeled truck (or dolly) but stays at the height.

Hand-held Shots

Camera that is physically held by the operator, rather than mounted on a dolly, tripod, or other platform. Permits freedom of movement and is often deliberately shaky.

Boom/Crane Shots

Camera moves up or down through space on a boom or crane.

Zoom Lenses

Not a camera movement, but a shift in the focal length of the camera. Produces the impression of camera movement making it seem as if the camera is moving closer or farther from the subject.

Aerial Shots

A variation of a boom/crane shot, usually taken from any airborne object.

Lateral Movements

Characters or objects moving side to side in a scene.

Depth Movements

Characters or objects moving either closer to or away from.