Camera Angles

High Angle



A high angle shot is a shot that shows the subject from above. For example in this photo the camera is angled down at the subject.This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

Low Angle



This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.


Close Up



In the close up shot, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face. A close-up of a person emphasizes their emotional state. Whereas a mid-shot or wide-shot is more appropriate for delivering facts and general information, a close-up exaggerates facial expressions which convey emotion. The viewer is drawn into the subject's personal space and shares their feelings.

Extreme Close Up

The ECU (also known as XCU) gets right in and shows extreme detail.You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes.

Mid Shot

The mid shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. In fact, this is an approximation of how you would see a person "in the flesh" if you were having a casual conversation. You wouldn't be paying any attention to their lower body, so that part of the picture is unnecessary.



Wide Shot



In the wide shot, the subject takes up the full frame. Here we see all of the man of the bike instead of just his upper body.


Pan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9JWgU9YVcU

A pan is a horizontal camera movement in which the camera moves left and right about a central axis. This is a swiveling movement, i.e. mounted in a fixed location on a tripod or shoulder, rather than a dolly-like movement in which the entire mounting system moves.



A tracking shot is a shot in which the camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks. However there are a few variations of both definitions. Tracking is often more narrowly defined as movement parallel to the action, or at least at a constant distance (e.g. the camera which travels alongside the race track in track & field events). Dollying is often defined as moving closer to or further away from the action.