# camera angles and shots The camera position is often animated in computer animation for no good reason or no reason at all simply because the virtual camera can be moved easily. If you want to animate realistic and effective camera moves, study popular types of possible camera moves, angles, and shots. There are tons of different named angles and shots in the industry. Here are some of the common ones. ## camera moves ![[Pasted image 20220922194759.png]] - **Pan**. The camera rotates from side to side, so that it aims more to the left or right. The camera does not change the location.\ - **Tilt**. The camera rotates to aim upward or downward without changing the location. Tilt is sometimes called “pitch”. - **Zoom**. The camera’s lens is adjusted to increase or decrease the camera’s field of view, magnifying a portion of the scene without moving the camera. - **Dolly**. The camera’s actual position changes, such as to move alongside a moving subject or to travel closer to a character during a scene. Dolly in moves the camera closer to the subject. Dolly out backs the camera away from the subject. ## common camera angles ![[Pasted image 20220922194819.png]] **High angle**. The camera is placed above eye level, looking downward. A high angle shot can make a character look smaller, younger, weak, confused, or more childlike. ![[Pasted image 20220922194938.png]] **Eye level**. Most commonly used because it is the most natural and easy to understand. ![[Pasted image 20220922194944.png]] **Low angle**. The camera is placed below eye level, looking upward. A low angle shot can make a character look bigger, stronger, or more noble. It also gives the impression of height. ![[Pasted image 20220922194951.png]] ## camera shots These are just a few of the named camera shots used in the animation and film making industry. Each serves a different purpose. ![[7d09ed92cf45fa3d55f1e9d79fc60d98_MD5.jpeg]] _[studiobinder shot size cheatsheet](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/)_ **Extreme wide shot (EWS)** shows a broad view of the surroundings around the character and coveys scale, distance, and geographic location. Often used as an establishing shot before moving closer to the characters. ![[Pasted image 20220922195415.png]] **Wide shot (WS)** shows an entire character from head to toe. ![[Pasted image 20220922195443.png]] **Medium wide shot (MWS)** shows a character usually cut off across the legs above or below the knees. It is wide enough to show the physical setting in which the action is taking place, yet it is close enough to show facial expression. ![[Pasted image 20220922195423.png]] **Medium shot (MS)** shows a character’s upper-body, arms, and head. ![[Pasted image 20220922195454.png]] **Close-up shot (CU)** shows a character’s face and shoulders. It is close enough to show subtle facial expressions clearly. ![[Pasted image 20220922195433.png]] **Extreme close-up shot (ECU)** shows only a part of a character’s face. It fills the screen with the details of a subject. ![[Pasted image 20220922195501.png]] --- Learn more… - [camera shots and angles from shotkit](https://shotkit.com/camera-shots-angles/) - [16 types of camera shots from boords](https://boords.com/blog/16-types-of-camera-shots-and-angles-with-gifs) - [ultimate guide to camera shots from studiobinder](https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/ "opens in new tab") - great breakdown - [types of camera shots from filmora](https://filmora.wondershare.com/videography/types-of-camera-shots-in-film.html "opens in new tab") - all the basics - [types of film shots from nfi](https://www.nfi.edu/types-of-film-shots/ "opens in new tab") - over 80 shots listed - [camera angles and shots from nofilmschool](https://nofilmschool.com/camera-angles-and-shots-movements "opens in new tab") - over 50 shots listed --- tags: #animation #resources home: [[! animation]]