Video Basics: How to Set-up a good shot (part 1)

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paddyewinfield

paddyewinfield • 11/3/08 • 2:05pm

By Paddy Winfield

11.3.08

A cinematographer or D.O.P. ( director of photography) is the person in charge of setting up the camera for each shot. A good cinematographer has 3 things to consider before the camera ever gets pulled from the case.

the framing or length
the angle
if there is any movement

All 3 of these elements play an important role in how the viewer will interpret and respond to the emotional tone carried out by how the D.O.P. places the camera for each shot.

FRAMING

Medium shot.

The most common and basic shot used. It frames the subject usually from the mid-riff to 6 inches above the subjects head (this is called head room which also adds balance to the frame) Almost all TV shows and news programs use a medium shot.

(Notice how the shot has the subject centered and spaced above their head for frame balance.)

2. Extreme long shot or Wide shot.

This shot makes the subject appear small in the frame. Often used as an establishing shot to show where the action is taking place. Many half hour comedy shows like Seinfeld open with an establishing shot of Jerry’s New York City Apartment before cutting to the action going on inside the apartment. Cheers starts every scene with a wide shot of the bar and surrounding business’s outside the block on Boston’s streets.

( this shot introduces the location of the Seinfeld characters before we cut to them sitting and drinking coffee.)

(this is a long establishing shot used to set up the location of the scene.)

3. Long shot.

A shot in which the subject is framed head to toe. A long shot usually has the subject as the center of focus where as an extreme long shot focuses on the surrounding and setting more.

Photobucket

(Example of a long shot)

4. Medium Close-up.

this shot is just a slight variation of a medium shot. The framing is tighter and the subject get a little more focus and attention.

(the medium close-up gives a little more focus the subject compared to a normal medium shot)

5. Close-up.

A close-up shows very little background and concentrates on either a face or important object in a shot.

6. Extreme close-up.

This shot doesn’t get used often but when it does it conveys an intimate tone. It’s kind of the equivalent of standing right next to a person’s face. It doesn’t happen that often but when it does it usually has a significant purpose.