Film and Media Studies

In addition to subject size within a frame, shot types can also indicate where a camera is placed in relation to the subject.

Eye Level  Shot taken with the camera approximately at human eye level, resulting in a neutral effect on the audience.

Forrest Gump

High Angle  Subject is photographed from above eye level. This can have the effect of making the subject seem vulnerable, weak, or frightened.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Low Angle  Subject is photographed from below eye level. This can have the effect of making the subject look powerful, heroic, or dangerous.

The Avengers

Dutch Angle/Tilt  Shot in which the camera is set at an angle on its roll axis so that the horizon line is not level. It is often used to show a disoriented or uneasy psychological state.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2

Over-the-Shoulder Shot  A popular shot where a subject is shot from behind the shoulder of another, framing the subject anywhere from a Medium to Close-Up. The shoulder, neck, and/or back of the head of the subject facing away from the camera remains viewable, making the shot useful for showing reactions during conversations. It tends to place more of an emphasis on the connection between two speakers rather than the detachment or isolation that results from single shots.

Star Trek: The Voyage Home

Bird’s-Eye View (aka Top Shot)  A high-angle shot that’s taken from directly overhead and from a distance. The shot gives the audience a wider view and is useful for showing direction and that the subject is moving, to highlight special relations, or reveal to the audience elements outside the boundaries of the character’s awareness. The shot is often taken from on a crane or helicopter.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron