Camera Lenses, Shots & AnglesUnit 1 A Photographic Introduction

WILT

Explore the different lenses for a DSLR and their purpose

Identify different camera angles

Identify different camera shots

Wide Angle Lens

Have three classes Wide Ultra Wide Fish Eye

21 - 35mm

These can capture wide scenes

Have a much larger depth of field (more will be in focus from the foreground to the background)

Great for shooting landscapes, large groups of people, architecture, etc.

Standard Lenses

Focal range from 35 – 70mm

Most common: 50mm lens

Used for documentary and street photography, where photographers need to move quickly!

Medium Telephoto/Portrait Lens

Focal range between 80 – 135mm

Always used by portrait photographers Ideal for framing head

shots

Considered a “specialist lens” but not too expensive

Telephoto Lens

Any lens between 135mm and 300mm

Very expensive!

Shorten depth of field – this enables you to isolate your subjects from the background

Great for wildlife and sports

Specialist Lenses

Super Telephoto – Focal range of more than 300mm

Macro – Able to focus closer to an object (1:1 ratio)

Fisheye – Give a distorted view of the subject matter. Centre is magnified and objects diminish in size in all directions around it

Camera Angles

If you wanted to show how scary/intimidating a person is, what angle would you shoot from?

If you wanted to show how fearful a person is, what angle would you shoot from?

The angle from which a picture is taken can greatly effect how the vieweer feels about a subject

When a photographer places a camera at eye level, the viewer can see the shape and proportions of the subject as they normally would

Changing the angle can suggest different meanings to the audience

Bird’s Eye View/Aerial

Can really demonstrate and emphasize distance, size and space

Entire environments, places, cities, etc. can be captured from a high vantage point

Worm’s Eye View

The camera is placed on the floor/ground and can give the audience the perspective of how the world looks from the lowest possible viewing point

Low Angle

This is when the camera is placed below the subject so the viewer will feel like they are looking up at it

High Angle

The photograph is taken from above the subject so the viewer will feel like they are looking down on it

The image seems smaller than its surroundings

This is used to emphasize space and distance – it can also make the subject appear to be smaller, weaker

Activity: Camera Shots

Working in pairs, choose one of the shots below to research Extreme Long/ Wide Shot Long/Wide Shot Medium/ Mid Shot Close Up Extreme Close Up

Include a definition, the purpose and examples