Camera Techniques

Shot Types

Two Shot
When two characters are on screen at once (usually a mid shot)

OTS Shot
Over the Shoulder
Used for conversations and looking
Controlled by something called 180 degree rule - make sure opposite shoulders are used

Profile
Framed form side, with eye-line looking away from the camera or offscreen
Directs attention to where they're looking

Cranes/Topshots
Good for establishing shots, can film a whole location from up top
Makes characters seem smaller, insignifiant

Angles

Low Angle
Looking up, camera down
Suggests power

High Angle
Looking down camera up
Suggests vulnerability

Dutch Tilt/Canted Angle
Suggests something is wrong, confusion or disorientation
Common in horror

Zooming in and out/Tracking
Usually camera going in, because zooming in loses focus, instead adjust lens shows focus, connotes being watched/someone looking

Camera Movement

Panning and Tilting
Basic camera movement techniques
Pan left-right
Tilt up-down
Camera is in fixed position and doesn't move

Tracking
In tracking/dolly shots the whole camera moves to allow smooth but limited movement
Steadicam is a camera operator fixed with a harness. Allows for relatively smooth movement and for the camera to follow the action unrestricted

Handheld
No tripod, tracks or harnesses, just the camera operator
Jerky, chaotic movement
Gaining popularity in mainstream media
Gives realism

Lenses

Focus Pull
When you switch focus form fore to back and vice versa

Lenses
Distance and Respective

Wide Angle Lense
Fore-, mid-, back0 in focus, can make distances feel further apart + distortion

Telephoto Lense
Opposite-, smaller-, distance smaller