Significance of Camera angles

Significance of Camera angles

A film maker should ensure that the story which is being executed for the audience should also fit the world of cinema. As you walk into the world of cinema you will slowly see that there are many kind of rules and detailing work, with everything having it's own significance. Personally at start, when I had started to crawl into this particular field I had realized that there is much more than taking a pale shot, and the importance of each camera angle. In this post I will mention the significance of camera angles used to shoot a particular scene. It's very essential for a film maker to know the reason behind taking a shot in a certain kind of way. It is not just a camera behind an actor/actress , and the cinematographer, director with the other members of the crew off screen. A shot is taken according to the ambiance, mood of the character, and the situation created in a scene. Before I go into details there is a major difference between a camera shot and camera angles. Camera shots are used to portray the aspect of setting, themes, characters, whereas a camera angles are used to position the viewers to understand the relationship between the characters.  There are various camera angles and movements having there own significance. The first one is the 'Bird's eye' angle. This particular shot is often used as an establishing angle, and also is an elevated view, and is mostly used for establishing setting and location as well. Then comes the High angle which looks down upon your subject. The subject can be the character or any other element. This makes your scene look more dramatic and also sometime makes your character seem vulnerable as well with the support of the setting, mood, lighting, and also effects. For example, your character hiding from a person under the bridge a high angle shot can be taken to establish the mood. Moving onto the next one which is the low angle, and this particular angle looks up at a character. It makes your character look more powerful, and is below the eye line. There is also an eye level shot which is placed at the subject's height, and is used for making the viewer's feel comfortable watching your character also most commonly used. A Dutch angle is taken when a camera tilts for creating suspense, and also disoriented feeling to the audience. It basically takes the story to a higher pitch and is very sudden as well.

Every Camera angle has it's own significance so as a film maker you should understand the aspect of each and everyone, with applying it in the right manner as well. Make sure the camera angle is according to the mood, ambiance, and setting of your particular scene.