Camera Shots, Angles and Framing

Start with shot distance

The mind map Camera shots is a useful starting point for comparing how much a shot includes. It describes an extreme long shot as showing a lot of the landscape and helping establish the location and atmosphere. A long shot also includes a fair amount of landscape or background.

Next, use the flashcard deck about the characteristics and uses of camera shots. It lists shot types from extreme long shots to extreme close-ups, alongside wide shots and point-of-view shots. Go through the terms, then return to the mind map to compare the descriptions.

Practice angles and framing

Camera Angles Quiz covers close-ups, medium and long shots, high and low angles, point of view and eye level. Try it after looking at the shot-distance resources. The quiz describes a close-up of a character as usually taking in the head and shoulders.

A mind map on framing connects the camera's position, the lens used and the kind of shot attempted. Use that alongside the quiz to think about how framing and shot choice relate, rather than treating each term in isolation.

Explore context and staging

Camera Angle Flashcards describes an establishing shot as setting the scene and giving the audience context. The Staging mind map includes using camera angles to emphasize tense moments and camera movement to focus on action.

These resources sit in Cinematography and Camera Work, a unit in Photography and film. Together, they offer ways to connect the names of shots and angles with their roles in a scene. Pick a mind map and a quiz to use together as you study.