Understanding Camera Angles In Photography

By Author: Simulacra Studio
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Photography is the art of capturing the moment by being in the right place at the right time. But it does not come without techniques. In order to even begin practicing photography, one has to know some of the basics such as camera angles, types of shots, types of camera movements, elementary knowledge of lighting and more. Only after having these things by heart, can one hope to make progress with this art.

In this article, let’s familiarize ourselves with one of the most fundamental things when approaching photography i.e. camera angles and its types:

The camera angle is the point where a camera is placed in order to frame or take the shot. “Different types of camera angles can evoke different types of feelings in the viewer - hence it becomes essential to know where the camera should be placed so as to have the maximum impact on the audience”, says an experienced photographer running a photo studio in London.

Let’s take a look at the different types of camera angles that photographers and videographers usually explore:

Eye Level: This ...
... is the most common and neutral type of camera angle in which the camera is placed as the name suggests, at ‘eye level.’ And so it points straight ahead almost at the same level as the subject’s face. This type of camera angle is not considered dramatic and it is rather objective. This is also how interviews are conducted. The objective of this camera angle is to deliver information without manipulating the audience’s emotions. This is also one of the most commonly used camera angles.

Low Angle: A low angle is a much more dramatic shot than the eye level. The camera here looks up to the subject and therefore it adds subjectivity to the scene. A low camera angle can denote a subject in a place of authority or make him/ her seem threatening. It adds power to the character’s personality. For example, a king may be framed from a low angle to show his dominance over his subjects.

High Angle: The high camera angle does the opposite of the above. It creates an impression of being looked down upon and so the subject seems smaller. For example, a king’s subjects could be framed from a high angle to show their submissiveness and powerlessness in front of their king.
Dutch Angle: This is the angle one uses when the aim is to denote disorientation or when the character is not being able to make sense of the information being provided to him/ her. In this shot, the camera is tilted so it’s not in a straight line with the horizon. This can be used to show the mindset of characters who’ve just received some explosive information; something that turns their world upside down. It can also be used to show the perspective of a drunken character, stumbling down the street and trying to make sense of the surroundings.

Over The Shoulder Shot (OTS): This is the close up of one character from ‘over the shoulder’ of another character. Two way conversation scenes are often shot with OTS shots. According to a photographer practicing photography in Brixton, while this can be used in normal scenes, it can also be used to denote conflicts or confrontations.

Point Of View Shot (POV): Last but not the least, there is a POV shot in which the camera replaces the character. It’s like seeing exactly what the character is seeing. For example, if a character is sitting on the edge of a cliff and enjoying some panoramic views, then after establishing his location and showing the audience what he is seeing through his OTS, the photographer can then go into a POV- in which we will no longer see the character but only the view that he is enjoying (because the character has been replaced with the camera).

It is always a good idea to explore these camera angles with practice rather than just reading about them. Photography anyway can only be improved with constant experimentation. Even if you have to use a studio space for rent London in order to explore camera techniques or lighting basics, then you should certainly go for it. Reasonably priced photography studios for hire are available with a variety of equipment for shooting and working in such ambience will only add to your training and experience.