Camera Angle

 After learning about the different types of camera shot sizes, in the next class, we learned about the different varieties of angles in film. We learned about the aerial shot/birds eye view shot, overhead shot, point of view shot, over the shoulder shot, high angle, low angle, canted/dutch angle/tilted shot, and master shot. All of these angles serve their own purpose in film making. Like in my previous blog, I will demonstrate the different types of angles with pictures I have taken. The first photo demonstrates a high angle. In the photo, the camera is looking down on my friends, making them appear vulnerable and weak. My friend Grace is putting her hand up to show stop or a pause. In other words, the high angle makes it seem as if something is towering over the subjects which are my friends. This towering high angle evokes an unpredictable mood which makes viewers anticipating for what is to come next. The second photo is an example of the opposite, a low angle. A low angle is a show filmed down low, often looking up at the subject. This makes the subject appear large, strong, and powerful. In my picture, it is a low angle shot of my friends Emi and Gabi. They are about to fight and have a battle in the picture, hence why I used a low angle. The low angle allows for them to appear menacing and intimidating. Likewise, the next or third photo is an example of an overhead shot. We learned that an overhead shot is directly 90 degrees about the subject. Hence, in the picture is my friend Alea lying down on the bench and dozing off. Since she is dozing off and on the verge of falling asleep, the overhead shot provides an omniscient and detached perspective. 

Now that we have talked about a high angle, low angle, and an overhead shot, there are still two more angles that I will be covering and describing. Likewise, the fourth picture is an example of a canted angle, also known as a dutch angle or tilted shot. I chose this photo to represent a canted angle because in the picture, my friend Naomi is stressed and tired. By having the shot tilted, it creates a dramatic effect of uneasiness. The tilt makes it seem as if my friend Naomi is about to fall over and faint at any moment. Lastly, the fifth photo represents an over the shoulder shot. An over the shoulder shot is when the camera is positioned behind one character and facing another. For example, in the picture the camera literally rests over the shoulder of my friend Emi. In the photo, my friend Emi is having a conversation with my friend Gabi. By using an over the shoulder shot for the dialogue scene, it shows the relationship between them two. For instance, in the photo, you can tell Emi and Gabi are close friends having a deep conversation. This type of angle also helps you focus on one person at a time, in this case it is Gabi, while following along with the conversation. Thus, after taking several pictures for the different angles, I feel that I have a better understanding of each angle. I am more familiar with recognizing the angles and identifying the purpose of them in different scenes.

Picture 1: High Angle

Picture 2: Low Angle

Picture 3: Overhead Shot

Picture 4: Canted Angle/Dutch Angle/Tilted Shot

Picture 5: Over the Shoulder Shot

Camera Shot Sizes

 On Monday, August 18 we learned about the different types of shot sizes. My teacher assigned us to take or use five pictures in our camera roll to demonstrate different types of shot sizes. In the first picture, the shot size shown is an example of an extreme close up. An extreme close up is an even tighter shot of a subject or object, showing only specific features. Likewise, in the first picture I chose to take an extreme close up of my friend’s eye. I chose to take an extreme close up of her eye because she has vibrant and colorful eyes that remind me of nature. Specifically, her eyes have hues of blue, green, and yellow. In addition, the second picture is an example of a medium full shot. A medium full shot is a type of medium shot that portrays the subject from knees and above. Therefore, the second picture is me and my friends backstage preparing for a performance at our school’s Asian American Pacific Islander showcase. Since the shot shows both our faces and bodies, people can most likely infer that we are close friends. This is because in the picture the distance between all of us is small and we are close together while smiling at the camera. Therefore, I chose that picture for my medium full shot because I believe that it perfectly demonstrates its purpose of showing the subjects facial expressions and the connection it has to their body language. In my third picture, it is an example of a loose close up shot. The loose close up shot is of me and my friend Grace. I chose this picture to demonstrate a loose close up shot because it shows in great detail our emotions and reaction in that moment. The photo was taken during my school’s homecoming dance. As a result, based on the loose close up, you can see that me and my friend are excited to be there.

Although there are many different types of shot sizes among the waist to head of a subject, there are also shot sizes from a farther distance. In other words, I had only just talked about shot sizes that were within the range of the torso and up. However, there are other shot sizes we learned in class that have a bigger range of what is shown. One example would be the fourth picture I inserted. The fourth picture is an example of a full shot. In class, I learned that a full shot shows the entire character or body of the subject. Thus, I chose a picture that was taken during my Chinese Schools’ sports day. In the picture are three people, me, my friend Kelly, and my friend Lucas. You can see in the picture that our bodies take up a majority of the shot. Since that is the case, the picture also shows the body language and relationship between the subjects. For instance, you can see that we are the hosts or speakers at the event based on the way we are standing and the environment around us. Therefore, picture four is an example of a full shot because it allows the audience to absorb all the relevant information of the subjects’ body language, making us seem important. Now that I have mentioned a full shot, it is not to be confused with a wide shot. I learned in class that a wide shot also shows the entire subject but in relation to what surrounds them. In other words, in a wide shot, the subjects are usually smaller in order to show their relation to the surrounding background. Therefore, the fifth picture I inserted demonstrates a wide shot. The picture is of my fan dance team performing on stage. We are the subjects of the picture and as a result are small in comparison to the stage, which is the background. This allows the audience to absorb all of the relevant context of the scene at once. My wide shot clearly shows who is performing on stage and where we are positioned on stage. Like many wide shots, my wide shot helps build ambiance to the scene which is why I chose it to demonstrate this type of shot. Overall, after collecting and taking different pictures to represent the types of shot sizes, I have a better understanding of the concept. I thought this task was extremely fun to do and now I am glad that I can recognize the different shot sizes within my own pictures.

First picture (extreme close up)

Second picture (medium full shot)

Third picture (loose close up)

Fourth picture (full shot)

Fifth picture (wide shot)

Introduction

Good morning, good afternoon, or even goodnight to anyone reading this. My name is Raina Shiu, and I am a Chinese American. Both of my parents are from China, but I was born and raised in the United States. I am currently a sophomore at Everglades High School. I have two older siblings, an older brother and an older sister. I love travelling to different places and trying new foods. For example, I recently traveled to Korea and was able to try their cultural dishes, which were very delicious. In addition, I enjoy being active, such as playing tennis and going to the gym. I have been playing tennis for almost four years and currently play for the school team. Besides being active, I also enjoy reading psychological books that explore the topic of how society works and human behavior. On the weekends, I play the piano for the elderly at a nursing home and also teach little kids traditional Chinese lion dance at a Chinese school. I personally enjoy math and science based school subjects such as chemistry. I hope to go to an out of state college in the future and study in the medical or finance field. I believe in following passions and committing to an occupation where I will have a good time. However, I also believe that it is important to be realistic and choose a career path where I will make good money.

Likewise, I am choosing to take AICE Media Studies because I believe this course has the perfect balance of aligning with my passions and teaching me knowledge that will help me in the future. In AICE Media Studies, I believe that I will be able to enjoy editing and watching films. However, during this process, I will also be able to learn the different elements of media and their influence on society. Moreover, I chose to take AICE media studies because I have heard good things about the course from both my friends and siblings. Most people told me the course would be challenging but also enjoyable. Although I already feel stressed about school, I think I will have a memorable time and make plenty of memories while working with my friends on component one. Component one seems like it will take up a lot of time and require sufficient effort. However, once again, I am up for the challenge and ready to start planning out ideas for the movie opener.