Camera Shots Types:

In this lesson we looked at the different camera shots. I learnt a great deal on the different shots, I know that you have to take into consideration exactly how much you are allowed to film in each shot for example, in a Mid-shot you are only allowed to shoot the character from above the head to the knees.
This is what i learnt, i have provided examples of each shot also (all photo's where found when typing in the shot name on www.google.com)...


Extreme Close-up (ECU):
An extreme close-up is a zoomed shot to show one element or feature. They can be used to create to unfold a mystery for example when a detective finds an important clue. They can also be used to make the audience uncomfortable for example they can be used in a horror to portray emotions as a character is screaming. Extreme Close-ups are used in the opening of Seven in order to create a mood for the audience which is uncomfortable and also to give the audience information as to what will happen in the film.

Close Up (CU):
A close-up is used to reveal important information, for example you could have a close up of a knife because a character kills another character this will indicate to the audience what is about to happen and create tension. A close-up will show the head of an actor, they sometimes show the neck/shoulders as well. They are commonly used in Thrillers. A close-up is used in Seven to show that the detective is mortified about the fact that his wife was murdered. This will maybe make the audience emotional as you can see what the character is going through in great detail.

Mid Close Up (Mid CU)
This shot is also referred to as the ''Head and shoulders shot''. This is because in a mid close up you will see the actors head and shoulders. These shot shows enough detail to be able to see the actors lips move and the expression/emotion portrayed. This shot is commonly used in news reading.

Mid shot (MS):

The mid-shot is also known as a ''torso'' shot as it shows most of the torso, in this shot you will see the actor from above the head to above the knee. This shot is often used to show detail of a character's expressions as well as giving details about what they are doing. This shot is used in Orphan to show that the mother is pouring wine down the sink instead of drinking it. This is important to the story-line as later on she is accused of drinking the wine. Mid shots are important to horror and thriller films in order to give the audience information.

Long Shot (LS):
The long shot is also known as the ''Wide shot''. In the long shot we see an actor from above their heads to ground. Long shots are broadly used within most film genre's.

Establishing Shot (ES):
This shot shows an actor from above the head to the ground. It is used to show the audience the relationship elements in the scene like actors ect and the location. There are establishing shots in Flight Plan to show that the little girl is stuck where the mechanical parts of the plan are and that she is not meant to be there. Establishing shots are broadly uses within most film genre's.

Two shot (TS):

Two shots are used to show the relationship between two characters. They are often used to show the start of a conversation. They are used when the interaction between two characters is important. They are usually followed by other shots like over the shoulder shots when one person is speaking then it changes when the other is speaking. They are used in thrillers as well as in most genre's of films. An example of Two shot in a Thriller would be in Seven when the detectives wife is talking to detective summers. This is important because we find out that she is pregnant and does not know wether to keep the baby or not.

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Over the Shoulder Shot (OSS): 

The over the shoulder shot is used to focus on one actor as seen from over the shoulder of another actor. It shows the view from the actor who's shoulder we can see. This creates a slight form of audience interaction as the audience is able to see what the 2nd actor can see. The usual over the shoulder shot shows a close-up of the 1st actor. They are commonly used when characters are having a conversation as one actor speaks we see the shoulder of the listening actor and vice-versa. These shots are used in Thrillers often as well as many other genre's. 

In this lesson I also learnt that there are two important rules to remember when shooting with a camera...

That we should always position the camera so that the actor is cut of between joints, we should never cut the shot at the actors knee's elbows or waist.

And that we should also always move the camera or change angle when going from shooting one shot to another otherwise there will be a ''jump cut'' which confuses, disorientates and detracts that audiences attention and also does not look very professional.