Creative Camera Controls and more Visual Communication Creative Camera Controls and more
Creative Camera Controls Three standard “shots” of people Close-up Mostly face and shoulders An intimate look at objects, actions, events, people Add emphasis, emotion, detail Medium shot Waist-up Meeting a person; gets us closer to the action Long shot Head to toe Shows environment; gives us more information Introduces a sense of place, time, theme Provide context Sometimes called an establishing shot
Creative Camera Controls Shots
Creative Camera Controls Shots
Creative Camera Controls Shots
Creative Camera Controls Shots
Creative Camera Controls Shots
Creative Camera Controls Shots
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Rule of thirds Looking room Head room Camera angle Framing
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Rule of thirds Based on the “golden” rectangle
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Rule of thirds Based on the “golden” rectangle
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Rule of thirds Divides the frame into thirds Puts an imaginary grid over the frame Place the focal point at an intersection of the grid; place horizon’s on one of the horizontal lines Gets the subject out of the center of the frame, which is static
Creative Camera Controls Rule of thirds
Creative Camera Controls Rule of thirds
Creative Camera Controls Rule of thirds
Creative Camera Controls Rule of thirds
Creative Camera Controls Rule of thirds
Creative Camera Controls Rule of thirds
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Looking room (leading room) Subjects - people especially - should be looking into the frame rather than “out” of the frame Psychologically the viewer perceives the subject as boxed in a frame Not just for people
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Looking room
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Looking room
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Head room Subjects often need a comfortable amount of space over their heads in a shot - especially in medium and long shots Not as critical in close-ups Too little head room gives the feeling that people are glued to the top of the screen or top of the frame
Creative Camera Controls Head room
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Camera angle By raising and lowering a camera, you can subtly influence how the viewer will perceive people, objects and events
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Camera angle Eye level Subject and viewer are of equal value Routine, pedestrian, functional Often visually boring - status quo Don’t shoot everything from eye level
Creative Camera Controls Eye level
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Camera angle High angle Gives the feeling that the subject is inferior, smaller, less important Sometimes referred to as “God’s eye view” Can be effective
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Camera angle Low angle Gives the feeling that the subject is more important Camera is below subject
Creative Camera Controls Low angle
Creative Camera Controls Low angle
Creative Camera Controls Low angle
Creative Camera Controls Low angle
Creative Camera Controls Low angle
Creative Camera Controls High angle
Creative Camera Controls High angle
Creative Camera Controls High angle
Creative Camera Controls High angle
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Framing Use natural frames in your shots to direct the eye of the viewer Archways, tree branches, etc.
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Framing
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Framing
Creative Camera Controls Placing subjects in the frame Framing
Creative Camera Controls Lighting
Creative Camera Controls Artificial, flourescent light
Creative Camera Controls Light Quality Direction
Creative Camera Controls Light Quality Direct light Diffused light
Creative Camera Controls Light Quality Direct light The sun A studio lamp or a flash Hard light Distinct shadows Harsh Can be very high contrast; deep blacks, white whites Dramatic Strong Bold Angry
Creative Camera Controls Light Quality Diffused light “soft” light A cloudy day Or a sunny day, but in the shade Usually reflected by clouds, reflective shield No clearly defined shadows Hard to tell where it’s coming from Subtle Less contrast; no deep blacks or white whites
Creative Camera Controls Direction Front light Side light Backlight; silhouette Top lighting
Creative Camera Controls Direction Front Light Evenly lights subject from front Shadow will be behind subject Eliminates texture Attached flash is front lighting
Creative Camera Controls Direction Side light Located to the right or left of subject Often used for portraits Shows texture, adds depth Can be dramatic
Creative Camera Controls Side light
Creative Camera Controls Side light
Creative Camera Controls Side light
Creative Camera Controls Side light
Creative Camera Controls Side light
Creative Camera Controls Side light
Creative Camera Controls Direction Back light Located behind the subject Extreme backlight becomes a silhouette; separates foreground from background Can give subject a slight glow around edges Can be difficult to get a good exposure Will wash out details in subject
Creative Camera Controls Back light
Creative Camera Controls Back light
Creative Camera Controls Back light
Creative Camera Controls Back light
Creative Camera Controls Back light To the extreme is silhouette
Creative Camera Controls Direction Top lighting Light comes from straight above subject Sunny day at noon Creates terrible shadows on people
Creative Camera Controls Direction Top lighting
Creative Camera Controls Direction Bottom lighting Also called monster lighting
Creative Camera Controls Direction Look for shadows
Creative Camera Controls Light as an element of design High contrast between light and shadow = drama Low contrast between light and shadow = peacefulness and tranquility
Creative Camera Controls Shooting outdoors Where’s the sun? Golden hours
Creative Camera Controls Shooting outdoors Where’s the sun? Avoid times around noon, especially for people
Creative Camera Controls Shooting outdoors Where’s the sun? Shoot when the sun is at an angle so the shadows aren’t as harsh Golden hours: sunrise to 10 a.m.; 2 or 3 p.m. to sunset
Creative Camera Controls Shooting outdoors Where’s the sun? Golden hours: sunrise to 10 a.m.; 2 or 3 p.m. to sunset