Real World Digital Video, Second Edition

Ten Ways to Shoot a Chair

From a creative viewpoint there are countless ways to shoot a chair—or any other subject—but from a technical viewpoint we'll concentrate on just ten (Table 5.1).

Table 5.1. Variable Factors in Shot Composition

Framing (Size of Subject)	Lens Selection (Focal Length)	Camera Angle
Closeup	Wide angle	Low angle
Medium shot	Normal	Neutral
Long shot	Telephoto	High angle
Camera movement	Camera movement	Camera movement

The ten basic ways to design a shot derive from varying framing, lens selection, camera angle, and camera movement. The creativity of cinematography and the impact of visual storytelling come into play when you apply these factors in different combinations to manipulate audience perception and emotions.

You can use any combination ...