DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Three types of high-angle shots and their impact on your videos

Oct 17, 2018 by Dunja Djudjic Add Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

The angle of view is one of the elements that add to the story you want to tell in your filmmaking and photography work. In this video from StudioBinder, writer and director Arnon Shorr explains three main types of high-angle shots. He will teach you how to use them so you can take your video work to the next level.

High-angle shots can be subtle or extreme; tight or wide; used with a purpose, or simply because they look cool. Of course, this video focuses on using the high-angle shots with a purpose, and they have three primary functions: they can provide narrative information, elicit the emotional response in the viewer, and tell something about the character.

1. Narrative high-angle

Imagine a big, dramatic crane shot that sweeps over the scene. This kind of high-angle shot establishes a context, and it’s excellent to give us a view of a broad scene or a large crowd.

The narrative high-angle shot is not meant to draw too much attention or evoke a strong visceral response. It can be pretty shallow and subtle, and it’s not meant to throw the viewer off balance.

2. Visceral high-angle

Some high-angle shots are aimed to give the viewer a visceral thrill and the feeling of vertigo. This type of shot is also called “bird’s-eye view,” “overhead shot” or “straight down shot.” It usually doesn’t give you any new information of the scene, but it has a strong emotional impact on the viewer. It makes us feel uneasy or anxious.

3. Character-driven high-angle

The character-driven high-angle shot is a kind of a crossover between the narrative and visceral emotion, and it combines the elements of both. It makes the character appear smaller or weaker. It’s both a narrative device that communicates to us that the character is small and vulnerable, but it can also be visceral so the viewer can connect to the character’s vulnerability.

Arnon gives an example of Hitchcock’s movies, where the camera is placed high above the characters when they’re in jeopardy. Make sure to watch the video for more great examples, and check out StudioBinder’s blog to learn even more.

So, while high-angle shots can definitely look great –don’t just use them for the sake of looking cool. Use them with a purpose and to add a narrative and an emotion to your story.

[High Angle Shots: 3 Towering Types of Camera Angles via ISO 1200]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

The impact of low-angle shots on your photos and videos Level up your DJI Pocket Osmo videos with these three cinematic Hollywood shots Learn how to use sound design to add massive impact to your videos This video shows the impact of frame rate on bottle shots

Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: angle, filmmaking, high angle, StudioBinder, videography

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.net

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

« Insta360 brings 180° 3D workflows to their Pro series cameras
Adobe’s new Moving Stills sneak peek lets you move the camera after you’ve shot the photo »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Learn photography

Recent Posts

  • This is why you should stop shooting music videos
  • First look at the Laowa Proteus Flex interchangeable flare optics
  • The Fotodiox RhinoCam Vertex shoots medium format images on L mount cameras
  • San Francisco filmmaker tracks stolen camera gear, police do nothing
  • Nanlite announces powerful AC-powered FC500B and FC300B LED lights

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy