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Week 7 (Part 2)- Camera Movements

Crane, Helicopter And Drone Shots

These shots are taken from above a scene or landscape. The camera is usually mounted on a crane or a jib, sometimes even a drone. They can move up, down, left, right, or by combining these movements.

Crane shots used for aerial shots that set the scene, establishing the geography of the story. They can also be combined with tracking movements to follow a travelling subject from above.

Example- In Gone With The Wind, the iconic crane shot reveals the aftermath of a battle, showing the vast field of wounded soldiers. 

Handheld

The handheld camera movement has a certain shakiness to it as the camera is held in the hands of the camera man rather than being mounted on a Steadicam.

It adds a touch of realism to the scene, making the viewers feel like they are a part of the film itself. Thus, it is often used in documentaries and war films. Handheld shots are also often used during action-packed scenes to add to the chaos occurring thus enhancing the effect the scene leaves on the viewers.

Example- In the sitcom, The Office, a handheld style of filming is occupied throughout the series. It is filmed in a documentary style thus adding realism to the view into the lives of the characters.

Zoom

A zoom is the movement of bringing the audience closer or further away from the subject by adjusting the camera lens. Here, the camera itself does not move at all.

A 'zoom in' (brings the audience closer to the subject) is used to show the details of the scene, like the character's facial expression or to bring attention to something in frame.

A 'zoom out' (takes the audience away from the subject) is used to reveal more of a scene, establish context, creating a sense of distance and perspective.

Dolly Zoom/ Reverse Zoom

The reverse zoom is a slightly more complex movement that is not easy to master. This movement involves zooming the camera lens in while moving the camera backwards or vice verse.

It adds a dramatic effect to the scene and enhances an immediate sense of shock or disbelief. This shot creates a sense of unease in the viewer, and is also known as the vertigo shot.

Example- In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, a dolly zoom is used, to create a sense of unease and danger, especially when Frodo senses the Nazgul.

This was everything we learned this week. Until next time!

[purvianpat-asmediastudies]

Week 7 (Part 1) - Camera Movements

This week was all about camera movements! We learnt about how movements can change perspectives and framing. Different types of movements can evoke various emotions in the audience and create psychological effects.

These are the different types of camera movements:

STEADICAM

A Steadicam is a type of stabilizing mount for the camera. It allows the camera to operate smoothly capturing fluid motion without the shakes and bumps of handheld filming.

PAN

During this movement the camera is at a fixed position and is rotated on its vertical axis from left to right, or vice-versa. For this, coordination and controlled movement between the camera operator and any utilized equipment are necessary.

It creates various purposes in film-making.

SLOW PAN-

When done slowly it is called a 'Slow Pan', emphasizing details in the scene.

Example- Wes Anderson, the director, uses alot of panning shots to reveal narrative information.

WHIP PAN

When done quickly it is called a 'Whip Pan', adding energy to the shot.

Example- In La La Land whip pans are used to convey the intensity developing in the relationship between the characters.

TILT

Tilts are similar to pans, except they are vertical. The camera remains static but moves in an up and down motion. Tilts are used to add a sense of dominance to a subject. It shows the scale and size of something. They also reveal new narrative information and enable filmmakers to capture moments of awe and spectacle.

Example- Christopher Nolan uses a tilt in Interstellar to show the dominance of the giant, all-encompassing wave that the character faces.

TRACKING SHOT

A tracking camera movement "tracks" (follows) a travelling subject. It is usually attached to a physical track while doing so. Due to the ability to follow actors or action through intricate settings, this movement is known for its grace and flow. This method is frequently used to give the audience the impression that they are actually moving through the scene.

Example- In Baby driver, when Baby is introduced, a tracking movement shot is taken to show him walking down the street.

DOLLY SHOT

Similar to tracking shots, Dolly shots also involves a camera physically moving through a scene. The camera is mounted on a cart called a dolly, hence the name of the movement. The camera moves forwards, backwards and sideways. Combined with tracking shots in can add a lot of dynamic movement to a scene.

Example- In the movie Notting Hill, there's a long dolly/tracking shot taken as the main character walks through a market, capturing the passage of time and seasons as a year passes by.

Stay tuned for part 2! Thankyou for your time.

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Week 6- Practicals

This week we had another practical session. This time we practiced the different camera angles. Here are the pictures I took:

High angle

Low angle

Canted/Dutch angle

This practical session was a fun way of learning more about camera angles. See you next week!

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Week 5 - Camera Angles

Now that we have learnt about the different camera shots and have even conducted a practical, it is time to move on to the different camera angles used in film-making. Camera angles are used in cinematography for conveying moods in storytelling. Different angles create different emotional tones. They can be used to make characters dominant and powerful or powerless and vulnerable.

Here are the different types of camera angles:

High Angle-

When the camera is positioned to look down from above on a character or subject, it is called a high angle shot. This angle can make the character seem small, vulnerable and weak when accompanied with the appropriate setting and mood.

Low Angle-

A low-angle shot in cinematography is a shot taken from a camera angle that is positioned anywhere below the eye line and points upward. This angle is usually used to make the subject seem tall, powerful and threatening.

Low angle and high angle shots when used in the same scene portray the power dynamics between the characters very well. They also catch the eye of the viewer.

Canted or Dutch angle-

When the camera is noticeably tilted on its x-axis, it is called the Dutch or Canted angle. In this angle the horizon line of the shot is not parallel to the bottom of the frame. It is used to disorientate the audience, convey the frantic nature of on-screen action or signifying the mental unravelling of a character.

Eye level-

When the camera level is aligned with the characters' eye level in your frame, you get an eye level angle. For a shot to be deemed eye level, the actor does not have to look directly into the camera or for the audience to be able to see the actor's eyes. Eye level angles simulate standard human vision and thus present visual information through a familiar viewpoint.  

Shoulder level angle-

A camera angle that is the same height as your subject's shoulders is known as a shoulder level shot. It creates the appearance of a slightly lower angle by positioning the actor's eye line slightly above the camera.

Hip level angle-

A "cowboy shot" refers to a camera angle that is around waist-high. Hip level shots are also incredibly effective camera angles for action that takes place near the hip, such as weapons being drawn or someone reaching into their pocket.

Knee level angle-

When the camera is placed at the height of the subjects knees. It is similar to a ground level angle. This angle shot is usually taken to focus on a character walking or creeping.

That's all for this week, thank you for reading!

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Week 4 - Practical

This week we had a practical session in which we ourselves tried taking different camera shots. We got a hands-on experience on how to compose such shots which improved our understanding on the topic.

Here's a time-lapse, wearing the green jacket, taking the pictures:

These are the pictures I took:

Long Shot

Mid-Long shot

Mid Shot

Mid-Close Up shot

Close up shot

Extreme close up shot

Two shot

Three shot

Aerial shot

Master shot

POV shot

Over-the-shoulder shot

I learnt a lot from this session. Thankyou for reading!

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Week 3 - Camera Shots

This week we learnt about the different types of shots and how to identify them in clips. The way a scene is shot can evoke emotions, convey the story's mood, and provide the audience with a unique perspective. Understanding different types of camera shots is crucial for any aspiring filmmaker or cinema enthusiast. Here are the different types:

Extreme Long Shot (ELS)

An Extreme Long Shot captures of broad view of the setting. It is used to establish the environment and context in which the story takes place. It shows the subject from a distance, providing a sense of scale and grandeur.

Long Shot (LS)

Also known as a wide shot, a long shot shows the subject within their surrounding environment. The subject’s full body is visible, and while the setting still plays a significant role, more emphasis is placed on the characters and their interactions with the space around them.

Mid Long shot (MLS)

This shot frames the character from knees and up. This shot size falls between a normal medium shot and a full shot. It is somewhere between a long shot and a medium shot. They are commonly used in group shots, two shots and emblematic shots.

Mid shot (MS)

The subject is framed from waist up, balancing between showing the subject and their surroundings. It's a versatile shot often used in dialogues and scenes requiring a closer look at the characters’ actions and expressions without losing context.

Mid close up shot (MCU)

A mid-close up shot is when the camera is placed in a way that frames the character from right above their head down to the middle of their torso. It’s commonly used for conversations, providing a clearer view of the characters' expressions and emotions.

Close-up shot (CU)

A Close-up shot focuses tightly on a subject’s face, capturing their facial expressions and emotions in detail. It's a powerful shot for conveying intensity, intimacy, and the nuances of an actor’s performance.

Extreme close up (ECU)

An extreme close up focuses on a specific part of the body of the subject like their eye, nose, hand, etc. It highlights crucial details thus creating a dramatic effect, drawing the viewer's attention.

These were the types of body related shots. Now lets look at some of the general shots.

Establishing shot

An establishing shot usually shows a location. It sets the scene and shows the viewer where the story or action is taking place. This shot provides the audience with essential context and helps to orient them within the story's environment.

Two shot

In a two shot, two characters are framed in the shot. It is a vital technique used to capture the interaction between two characters. It is a staple in dialogue-heavy scenes and is essential for establishing relationships, conveying emotions, and enhancing the narrative flow.

Three shot

A camera shot known as a "Three Shot" consists of three characters in the frame. The three characters' interactions are captured in a single frame using this flexible and dynamic shot technique.

Aerial shot

An aerial shot is taken from directly overhead, providing a unique perspective on the scene below. It can be used to show complex choreography, large crowds, or intricate patterns within the environment. Usually, drones are used to capture such shots.

Master shot

A master shot, to put it simply, captures a fully staged scenario from start to finish from a camera angle that maintains focus on every character. A master shot must genuinely capture every detail of a situation from beginning to end.

Point of view shot (POV)

The POV Shot gives the viewer the impression that they are seeing the scenario through the eyes of one of the characters. It is often shot on a hand held camera to accentuate the subject's perspective. It creates a strong sense of immersion and empathy, as seen in many thriller and horror films.

Over-the-shoulder shot (OTS)

The Over-the-Shoulder Shot is filmed from behind one character, showing the back of their shoulder and head while focusing on another character or object in front of them. It is mostly used to portray conversational back and fourth between two subjects.

That's all for this week. Thankyou for reading!

[purvianpat-asmediastudies]

Week 2 - Settings of a camera

This week we were introduced to the basics of using a camera. We explored its settings and features. This can be done on the pro mode of your phone as well.

SHUTTER SPEED

 A shutter is a part of the camera that allows light to pass for a determined period. Shutter speed is a fundamental aspect of photography that controls the amount of time your camera's shutter remains open to allow light to reach the sensor. It's measured in seconds or fractions of a second, such as 1/1000, 1/60, or even several seconds like 5".

Shutter speed directly affects the brightness of your image. A fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000) limits the amount of light entering the camera, resulting in a darker image. Conversely, a slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/30) allows more light to enter, brightening the image.

It is also used to create effects such as motion blur and freeze motion.

Motion blur

A slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/30 or slower) can create a sense of motion, which can be used creatively to depict movement, such as flowing water or light trails.

Freeze motion

A fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000 or faster) freezes rapid motion, resulting in sharp images of moving subjects, making it ideal for sports or wildlife photography.

APERTURE

Camera aperture is one of the most crucial settings in photography, playing a key role in determining the exposure and depth of field in your images. Simply put, the aperture is the opening in a camera lens through which light passes to enter the camera body.

Aperture is measured in f-stops (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6), which might seem counterintuitive at first. A lower f-stop number indicates a larger aperture, allowing more light to hit the camera sensor. Conversely, a higher f-stop number means a smaller aperture, letting in less light.

Here's how f-stops work:

A lower f-stop (eg. f2.8) setting will give your image a crisp foreground and blurred background (shallow depth of field).

A higher f-stop (eg. f16-f32) setting will give your image a sharp foreground and background both (deep depth of field).

ISO

ISO is a setting in photography that measures the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor to light. Originally, ISO referred to the sensitivity of film; in digital photography, it indicates how sensitive the sensor is to light. ISO values typically range from 100 to 6400 or higher, depending on the camera.

Exposure

It affects the exposure of your image. A lower ISO value (e.g., ISO 100) means the sensor is less sensitive to light, requiring more light for a proper exposure. A higher ISO value (e.g., ISO 3200) increases the sensor's sensitivity, allowing you to take photos in low-light conditions without needing a long exposure time or a wide aperture.

Image quality

It also greatly affects the image quality. Higher ISO settings can introduce digital noise or graininess into your images, especially noticeable in darker areas of the photo. Low ISO settings produce cleaner, sharper images.

ISO 100 ISO 25,600

This is what we learnt this week. Thankyou for reading!

[purvianpat-asmediastudies]

WEEK 1 - Introduction to Media Studies

Hi! I'm Purvi Anpat and I'm studying AS Media Studies at Vibgyor High, Goregaon West. Whether it's movies or books, I've been into media since I was a little kid. Now that I get to learn it in detail, this interest has grown even deeper.

In this first week, we were given a basic introduction to the subject. We discussed the different types of media like radios, films, magazines, books, and many more. We also talked about how media affects us and our lifestyle. I can't wait to learn more on this fascinating subject!

In this blog, I will be sharing my journey as I design a magazine for my foundation portfolio! Thankyou for reading!