Focus on: Cinematography
Cinematography
Etymologically breaks down to
writing by movement. Like
photography, light translates into
visual information and meaning;
however, apparent motion
differentiates photography from
cinematography.
Elements of Cinematography:
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Lighting
Color (formally)/Contrast
Film stocks & gauges
Opticals (lenses, filters)
Effects
Shots*
Shots are defined according to…
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Size/Distance
Angle
Content
Movement
Point of view
Conventions
Examples to follow from each category…
Initially, size/distance…
Defining shots by size/distance…
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Long shot
Full shot
Medium shot
Closeup
NB: Use ‘extreme’ sparingly
Defining shots . . .
• . . . By size/distance: a
long shot often scans a
wide area, providing
information (literal
and symbolic)
including setting; it
establishes parts of the
narrative. (Signs)
Defining shots . . .
• . . . by size/distance: A
full shot reveals a
character from headto-toe or a full object,
often providing some
contextual information
(literal and symbolic)
such as setting and
action. (The Matrix Reloaded)
Defining shots . . .
• . . . by size/distance: a
medium shots reveals
a character from waist
up or most but not all
of an object. Meaning
(literal and symbolic)
is created by being this
close to the object or
character--not full and
not so close. (Signs)
Defining shots . . .
• . . .by size/distance: a closeup reveals a character’s face or
a detail of an object. Consider how these two close shots
from XXX literally show us Diesel’s character and
symbolically make us feel intimidated.
Compare sizes/distances…
Shots are defined according to…
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Size/Distance 
Angle
Content
Movement
Point of view
Conventions
Defining shots by angle . . .
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High or Angle-down
Eye-level
Low or Angle-up
Bird’s eye
Aerial
Reverse
Oblique or canted frame
Defining shots . . .
• . . . By angle: High
angle shot looks down
on the subject,
suggesting its literal
shortness and
symbolic weakness or
inferiority. (Spy Kids II)
Defining shots . . .
• . . . By angle: eyelevel shot looks a
character ‘in the eye,’
suggesting respect and
equality or simply
neutrality.
Defining shots . . .
• . . . By angle: a low
angle shot looks up to
the subject, suggesting
its literal height and
symbolic power.
(Blue Crush)
Compare these angles . . .
Defining shots by angle . . .
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Bird’s eye
Aerial
Reverse
Oblique or canted frame
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Size/Distance 
Angle 
Content
Movement
Point of view
Conventions
Defining shots by content . . .
• One-shot
• Two-shot
NB: check conventions for overlaps
Defining shots by content . . .
• . . . a one-shot
reveals one
character
• . . . a two-shot
reveals two
characters
(Frida)
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Size/Distance 
Angle 
Content 
Movement
Point of view
Conventions
Defining shots by movement . . .
• Moving camera shots include dolly,
tracking, crane, aerial, pan, tilt, etc.
• Movement within the frame includes
horizontal movement, through the depth of
the frame, etc.
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Size/Distance 
Angle 
Content 
Movement 
Point of view
Conventions
Defining shots by pov . . .
As in literature, film observes three points of
view
• 3rd person (She, he, or it does it…)
• 1st person (I do it…)
• 2nd person (You do it… or, Do it!)
Unlike literature, film has more gradual shifts
in point of view.
Defining shots…
• . . . by pov: 3rd person
is the most common
perspective in
narrative film. The
camera acts as an
observer of some actor
or action.
(Collateral Damage)
Defining shots . . .
• . . . by pov: shifts occur in film from 3rd to 1st and
back again relatively frequently. A 1st person shift
places the viewer of the film in the place of a
character. This can be gradual or complete.
Defining shots . . .
• . . . By pov: 2nd
person directly
addresses the viewer
of the film. This often
enables some
theoretical level in the
film.
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Size/Distance 
Angle 
Content 
Movement 
Point of view 
Conventions
Defining shots by convention . . .
• Shot/countershot is one of
the most significant and
popular of the Hollywood
tradition.
• Typically starts with full
2-shot;
• Cuts in to medium oneshot of ‘a’ character;
• Then, cuts to medium oneshot of ‘b’ character on
opposite side.
Defining shots by convention . . .
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Shot/countershot (s/c or s/r)
Reaction shot
Establishing shot (inside/out editing)
Eyeline match (cut)
• Devil’s in details
NB: overlaps with content and other categories