Media Language - Use of a camera

Media Language is how the media communicates meanings through; form, codes, conventions and techniques.

Basic Camera Shots:

• Establishing Shot/ Extreme Long Shot (ELS)
• Long Shot
• Mid Shot
• Two Shot
• Close Up
• Point of View
• Extreme Close Up

Basic Camera Movement:

• Tracking (In/ Out)
• Sideways Tracking (Crabbing)
• Tilt (Up/Down)
• Zoom
• Arc
• Crane
• Panning (left to right/ right to left, staying in the same place)

Basic Camera Angle

• Over the Shoulder
• High Angle
• Low Angle

Establishing Shot/ Extreme Long Shot

This is known as an establishing shot/ ELS as it is used to set the scene, it is used to introduce a setting so as an audience we have a greater understanding of the story. ELS can help create the atmosphere, such as an eerie setting will further influence the rest of the film to be presented this way.

Long Shot

A long shot is used to provide the audience with more detail about the person typically and their relationship and positioning within their settings. For example, it would help show where someone is within a building and help connect them further to a storyline.

Mid Shot

A mid shot are photographs/ videos taken from the waist upwards, it focuses on the subject and are used to closely reveal a little more detail of the surroundings. These help convey a characters emotions in further depth.

Two Shot

Two shots include simply two characters, they reflect the communication between the two individuals; they involve a subjects head to knees. These specific shots reflect the exchange and show their body language.

Close Up

Close ups are used a lot for zooming in and emphasising a characters emotions, the close up allow greater understanding of a subjects reaction to an event etc. These can be used to build tension due to the in-depth detail.

Point of View

Point of View are taken as if from the subjects eyes themselves, it reflects exactly what they can see. It is used to focus on a specific object, by doing so it might create more impact. This positioning is frequently used when a character might be preforming such action such as reading a letter, this example is regularly used in films.

Extreme Close Up

These pictures show the most detail, these will typically be used in dramatic scenes. This is due to there would be no other reason to get this close to show generalised emotions, unless for effect for things such as intensity. You as an audience feel you are I the mind of the character, the audience only focus on the subjects expressions no other background details.

Tracking

A tracking view is either: track in (moving forwards) or track out (backwards). Both of this give added effect this is as a track in show further detail and expressions as you are becoming closer to the subject. Whereas, tracking out reveal more detail but in an opposing way as they go further back they reveal more of the scene.

Sideways Tracking

Sideways tracking is alike tracking, however, for this a "crab" movement is involved. The camera moves sideways following the moving subject rather than head on.

Tilt

For this the focus on a stationary set up but move the camera, this creates mystery as you only see certain areas of the character at once; not all areas are shown at once meaning mystery is shown.

Arc

For this the camera is moved surrounding the subject, it is a curved action. The movement is similar to tracking as it is the camera following the subjects actions although this shot follows a certain structure.

Crane

This is style of capturing is featuring the use of a camera connected/ attached to a crane. These allow te audience to see the whole setting and view the action on a larger scale allowing vertical and horizontal movement; therefore they have a greater viewing and understanding of what is happening.

Panning

These are taken from a fixed position, turning to capture a wide viewing. This is typically used to replicate the sense of someone moving their head from right to left - or vise versa.

Over the Shoulder

Off the shoulder shots are used in a similar way to Point of View shots. However, these shots capture the corner of the subjects to show the positioning of them and their viewing. This gives us as an audience more of an insight to what is being seen if you was the character

High Angle

High Angles are taken from above, this then makes the photo/ video taker seem more powerful. The characters and point of focus are typically engulfed with the surroundings making them appear insignificant and weak, most specifically vulnerable.

Low Angle

A low angle emphasises someone's power, they are used to make a character seem taller. This therefore makes them appear more strong and powerful as it is as if they are looking down upon everyone.