4.2 Composition and framing
13 min read•august 20, 2024
Composition and framing are essential tools in narrative documentary production. They guide viewers' attention, evoke emotions, and convey the intended message through thoughtful arrangement of visual elements within the frame.
From the to , these techniques create dynamic and balanced shots. Camera angles, shot sizes, and lens choices further enhance storytelling by influencing perspective, , and . Mastering these elements is crucial for effective visual storytelling.
Composition basics
- Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within a frame to create a visually appealing and meaningful image
- Effective composition guides the viewer's eye, evokes emotions, and conveys the intended message of the narrative documentary
Rule of thirds
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- Divide the frame into a 3x3 grid and place key elements along the lines or at the intersections
- Creates a balanced and dynamic composition (horizon line on the top or bottom third)
- Avoids placing the main subject directly in the center of the frame
- Allows for negative space to create visual interest and context
Leading lines
- Use lines within the frame to guide the viewer's eye towards the main subject or point of interest
- Lines can be literal (roads, fences) or implied (a character's gaze, a pointing finger)
- Creates depth and directs attention (a winding path leading to a distant mountains)
- Enhances the sense of movement and flow within the composition
Symmetry and patterns
- Utilize symmetrical elements or repeating patterns to create visual harmony and balance
- can evoke a sense of stability, order, or perfection (a reflection in a still lake)
- Patterns add visual interest and texture to the frame (a field of flowers, a tiled floor)
- Break the symmetry or pattern selectively to create a focal point or tension
Depth and layering
- Create a sense of depth by including foreground, middle ground, and background elements
- Use overlapping elements to enhance the perception of three-dimensionality (a branch in the foreground, a character in the middle ground, mountains in the background)
- Employ different planes of focus to separate subjects and create visual hierarchy
- Utilize atmospheric perspective (haze or color gradation) to emphasize depth
Simplicity vs complexity
- Choose between simple, uncluttered compositions or complex, detailed ones based on the story and intended mood
- Simple compositions can be powerful and direct, focusing attention on the main subject (a lone tree in a field)
- Complex compositions can convey a sense of richness, chaos, or overwhelming detail (a bustling city street)
- Strike a balance between simplicity and complexity to maintain visual interest without distracting from the narrative
Framing techniques
- Framing techniques involve the selection of shot sizes, angles, and compositions to convey specific information and evoke emotions
- Effective framing guides the viewer's attention, reveals character relationships, and sets the tone of the scene
Wide shots
- Show a broad view of the scene, establishing the location, environment, and context
- Provide a sense of scale and the relationship between characters and their surroundings (a small figure in a vast landscape)
- Often used as establishing shots to orient the viewer at the beginning of a scene or sequence
- Can create a sense of isolation, insignificance, or grandeur depending on the context
Medium shots
- Frame characters from roughly the waist up, allowing for the display of facial expressions, body language, and interactions
- Provide a balance between showing the character and their immediate surroundings
- Suitable for dialogue scenes, as they allow for the clear view of characters' reactions and emotions
- Can be used to establish relationships between characters based on their proximity and positioning
Close-ups
- Tightly frame a character's face, hands, or other significant details
- Emphasize emotions, reactions, and subtle expressions that might be lost in wider shots
- Create a sense of intimacy, intensity, or focus on a specific element (a tense conversation, a revealing facial expression)
- Can be used sparingly to heighten drama or draw attention to crucial moments in the narrative
Extreme close-ups
- Frame a very small detail or a portion of a character's face (eyes, mouth)
- Intensify emotions, create a sense of discomfort, or emphasize a specific sensory experience
- Reveal minute details that are essential to the story or character development (a twitching eye, a scar)
- Should be used purposefully and sparingly to maintain their impact and avoid disorienting the viewer
Dutch angles
- Tilt the camera to create a diagonal composition, deviating from the standard horizontal and vertical lines
- Convey a sense of unease, disorientation, or instability (a character's mental state, a chaotic situation)
- Heighten tension, suggest a disturbance in the story world, or represent a shift in power dynamics
- Should be used judiciously and in alignment with the narrative's tone and themes to avoid overuse or gimmicky effects
Camera angles
- Camera angles refer to the position and perspective from which a shot is captured
- Different angles can convey power dynamics, character psychology, and narrative information
Eye-level shots
- Position the camera at the same height as the character's eyes, creating a neutral and natural perspective
- Convey a sense of equality, normalcy, or objectivity in the scene (a conversation between friends)
- Maintain a comfortable and familiar viewing experience for the audience
- Suitable for most standard dialogue scenes or when no specific psychological effect is desired
Low-angle shots
- Place the camera below the eye level of the character, looking up at them
- Convey a sense of power, dominance, or superiority of the character (a menacing villain, a confident hero)
- Can make the character appear larger, more imposing, or heroic depending on the context
- Emphasize the importance or strength of the character within the narrative
High-angle shots
- Position the camera above the eye level of the character, looking down on them
- Suggest vulnerability, weakness, or inferiority of the character (a defeated protagonist, a small child)
- Can create a sense of detachment, objectivity, or omniscience from the viewer's perspective
- Emphasize the character's powerlessness or insignificance within the scene or story
Bird's-eye view
- Capture the scene from a very high angle, directly above the characters or action
- Provide a broad overview of the location, emphasizing scale, patterns, or the relationship between elements
- Convey a sense of omniscience, detachment, or a "godlike" perspective (a bustling city, a vast battlefield)
- Can be used to reveal information or connections that characters within the scene are unaware of
Worm's-eye view
- Position the camera extremely low, near or even below ground level, looking up at the characters or action
- Exaggerate the size, power, or importance of the subject, making them appear larger than life
- Create a sense of disorientation, unease, or vulnerability for the viewer (a looming skyscraper, a towering monster)
- Emphasize the overwhelming or oppressive nature of the subject or environment
Shot sizes
- Shot sizes refer to the amount of a character or scene that is included within the frame
- Different shot sizes provide varying levels of detail, context, and emotional impact
Establishing shots
- Wide shots that introduce the location, setting, or context of a scene before focusing on specific characters or actions
- Orient the viewer and provide a sense of place, time, and atmosphere (a cityscape, a vast landscape)
- Often used at the beginning of a scene or sequence to establish the environment and spatial relationships
- Can also be used to conclude a scene, providing closure or a sense of resolution
Long shots
- Capture a character's entire body within the frame, along with a significant portion of their surroundings
- Provide context and show the relationship between the character and their environment
- Convey a sense of distance, isolation, or the character's place within the larger world (a lone figure walking across a desert)
- Allow for the display of body language, movement, and interaction with the setting
Full shots
- Frame a character from head to toe, with minimal space above and below them
- Focus on the character while still providing some context and surrounding details
- Suitable for showcasing a character's appearance, costume, or stance (a superhero in full costume, a model on a runway)
- Allow for the clear view of a character's actions and interactions with props or other characters
Cowboy shots
- Frame a character from roughly mid-thigh up, typically associated with Western films
- Emphasize the character's stance, clothing, and any holstered weapons (a gunslinger in a showdown)
- Convey a sense of readiness, tension, or anticipation for action
- Named for its frequent use in capturing gunslingers in classic Western films
Medium long shots
- Capture a character from roughly the knees up, providing a balance between the character and their surroundings
- Allow for the display of body language, movement, and interaction with the environment or other characters
- Provide more context than a while still maintaining focus on the character (a character walking through a busy street)
- Suitable for sequences that require both character detail and environmental context
Medium shots
- Frame a character from roughly the waist up, emphasizing facial expressions, gestures, and upper body language
- Provide a conversational distance, suitable for dialogue scenes or character interactions
- Strike a balance between showing emotion and maintaining some context (two characters having a discussion)
- Most commonly used shot size in narrative filmmaking due to its versatility and ability to convey both character and story information
Medium close-ups
- Frame a character from roughly the chest up, placing emphasis on their face and upper body
- Provide a more intimate view of the character, focusing on their emotions, reactions, and subtle expressions
- Suitable for intense dialogue scenes or moments of emotional revelation (a character delivering important news)
- Allow for the display of fine details in facial expressions and create a stronger connection between the character and the audience
Close-ups
- Tightly frame a character's face, typically from the shoulders up
- Emphasize emotions, reactions, and subtle facial expressions that might be lost in wider shots
- Create a sense of intimacy, intensity, or focus on the character's internal state (a character's reaction to shocking news)
- Draw the audience into the character's personal space and create a strong emotional connection
Extreme close-ups
- Frame a very small detail or a portion of a character's face (eyes, mouth, hands)
- Intensify emotions, create a sense of discomfort, or emphasize a specific sensory experience (a twitching eye, a quivering lip)
- Reveal minute details that are essential to the story or character development
- Should be used purposefully and sparingly to maintain their impact and avoid disorienting the viewer
Lens choice
- Lens choice refers to the selection of camera lenses with different focal lengths and characteristics
- Different lenses affect the field of view, , perspective, and overall look of the image
Wide-angle lenses
- Lenses with short focal lengths (typically 35mm or shorter) that capture a wide field of view
- Exaggerate depth and distance, making foreground elements appear larger and background elements smaller
- Useful for capturing expansive landscapes, cramped interiors, or emphasizing the relationship between foreground and background
- Can create a sense of distortion or exaggeration, which can be used for creative or stylistic purposes (a fisheye lens for a disorienting effect)
Standard lenses
- Lenses with focal lengths that roughly match the human eye's perspective (around 50mm on a full-frame camera)
- Provide a natural, unexaggerated view of the scene, with minimal distortion
- Suitable for most general-purpose shooting, including dialogue scenes, medium shots, and naturalistic storytelling
- Maintain a sense of realism and normalcy, allowing the audience to focus on the content rather than the lens choice
Telephoto lenses
- Lenses with long focal lengths (typically 70mm or longer) that capture a narrow field of view
- Compress depth and distance, making background elements appear closer to the foreground
- Useful for isolating subjects, capturing distant details, or creating a (a tight shot of a character's face with a blurred background)
- Can create a sense of intimacy or voyeurism, as if the audience is observing from afar
Zoom lenses
- Lenses with variable focal lengths that allow for smooth, continuous changes in the field of view
- Provide flexibility in framing and shot composition without the need to physically move the camera
- Useful for capturing subjects at varying distances or adjusting the shot size within a single take (a zoom in from a to a )
- Can create a sense of movement, tension, or reveal when used dynamically (a slow zoom in on a character's face)
Prime lenses
- Lenses with a fixed focal length, requiring the camera to be physically moved to change the shot size or perspective
- Generally offer superior optical quality, sharpness, and wider maximum apertures compared to zoom lenses
- Encourage more deliberate shot composition and camera placement, as each lens is optimized for a specific focal length
- Often preferred by cinematographers for their consistency, image quality, and creative constraints
Depth of field
- Depth of field refers to the range of distance within a shot that appears acceptably sharp and in focus
- The choice of shallow or affects the visual style, storytelling, and audience's attention
Shallow depth of field
- A narrow range of focus where the subject is sharp while the foreground and background are blurred
- Directs the viewer's attention to the main subject, isolating them from the surrounding environment (a portrait with a blurred background)
- Creates a sense of intimacy, dreaminess, or selective focus, emphasizing the subject's importance or emotional state
- Achieved by using a wide aperture, long focal length, or positioning the subject far from the background
Deep depth of field
- A wide range of focus where most elements in the frame, from foreground to background, appear sharp
- Allows the viewer to explore the entire scene and appreciate the relationships between various elements
- Creates a sense of realism, context, or immersion, as the entire environment is clearly visible (a landscape with everything in focus from near to far)
- Achieved by using a narrow aperture, short focal length, or positioning the subject close to the background
Aperture settings
- The aperture is the opening in the lens that controls the amount of light entering the camera and affects depth of field
- Wide apertures (low f-numbers like f/1.4 or f/2.8) create a shallow depth of field, while narrow apertures (high f-numbers like f/11 or f/16) create a deep depth of field
- Adjusting the aperture allows for creative control over the depth of field and the viewer's focus
Focal length impact
- Longer focal lengths (telephoto lenses) compress depth and create a shallower depth of field compared to shorter focal lengths (wide-angle lenses)
- The choice of focal length affects both the perspective and the depth of field, influencing the visual style and storytelling
Distance to subject
- The distance between the camera and the subject also affects depth of field
- Moving the camera closer to the subject creates a shallower depth of field, while moving further away increases the depth of field
- Positioning the subject far from the background enhances the shallow depth of field effect, while placing them close to the background reduces it
Headroom and lookroom
- and refer to the amount of space above a character's head and in front of their face within the frame
- Proper use of headroom and lookroom creates a balanced, natural-looking composition and enhances visual storytelling
Headroom importance
- Headroom is the space between the top of a character's head and the top of the frame
- Too much headroom can make the character appear small or insignificant, while too little can feel cramped or uncomfortable
- A general rule is to leave a small amount of headroom, roughly equal to the size of the character's forehead or the top of their head
Lookroom for movement
- Lookroom, or , is the space in front of a character's face when they are looking to the side
- Adequate lookroom allows for a sense of movement, direction, or anticipation, as if the character has space to move or look into
- Insufficient lookroom can create a sense of being cramped, trapped, or cut off, while too much can feel unbalanced or awkward
Noseroom vs leadroom
- is the space in front of a character's nose when they are looking directly at the camera
- In general, slightly more space should be given in front of the character's nose compared to the back of their head to create a balanced composition
- Leadroom principles apply when a character is looking to the side, with more space given in the direction they are facing
Proper subject placement
- Place the subject's eyes roughly on the upper third line of the frame, following the rule of thirds composition guideline
- Position the subject slightly off-center horizontally to create a more dynamic and visually interesting composition
- Adjust headroom and lookroom based on the character's gaze, movement, and the desired emotional effect
Awkward framing avoidance
- Avoid cutting off the top of a character's head or other important features at the edge of the frame
- Be mindful of the character's gaze direction and provide enough lookroom to prevent a sense of being cramped or cut off
- Maintain consistent headroom and lookroom throughout a scene or conversation to create a cohesive and professional look
Framing for story
- Framing choices can greatly impact the emotional resonance, character development, and overall storytelling of a narrative documentary
- Carefully consider how composition, camera angles, and shot sizes contribute to the desired narrative effect
Emotional impact
- Use close-ups to emphasize a character's emotions, creating a sense of intimacy and connection with the audience
- Employ wide shots to convey a character's isolation, insignificance, or relationship to their environment
- Utilize high or low angles to suggest power dynamics, vulnerability, or psychological states
Character power dynamics
- Frame characters in positions of authority or dominance using low angles, making them appear larger and more imposing
- Conversely, frame characters in positions of weakness or submission using high angles,
Key Terms to Review (36)
Aperture settings: Aperture settings refer to the adjustable opening in a camera lens that controls the amount of light that reaches the camera's sensor. This setting not only affects exposure but also influences depth of field, which is critical for achieving the desired composition and framing in a shot.
Awkward framing avoidance: Awkward framing avoidance refers to the intentional effort made by filmmakers to prevent compositions that feel unnatural or uncomfortable for the viewer. This concept is tied to how subjects are positioned within a frame, ensuring that they do not appear cramped or poorly placed, which can distract from the narrative. By focusing on creating balanced and thoughtful compositions, filmmakers enhance the emotional resonance and storytelling effectiveness of their work.
Bird's-eye view: A bird's-eye view is a perspective that shows a scene from above, as if viewed by a bird in flight. This viewpoint allows for a comprehensive understanding of the layout and relationships within a scene, which can enhance storytelling and visual composition.
Character Power Dynamics: Character power dynamics refers to the relationships and interactions between characters in a narrative, particularly how power is distributed and exercised among them. It emphasizes the shifting nature of influence, control, and authority, showcasing how these dynamics impact character development and plot progression. The visual representation of these dynamics through composition and framing can significantly enhance storytelling by visually conveying characters' emotional states and hierarchies.
Close-up: A close-up is a shot that tightly frames a subject, often focusing on a person's face or an object to emphasize detail and emotion. This type of shot helps create intimacy and connection with the viewer by revealing subtle expressions or significant aspects of the subject, which can be crucial for storytelling.
Cowboy shot: A cowboy shot is a type of camera framing used in film and television that typically frames a subject from mid-thigh up to just above the head, allowing for both facial expressions and a hint of their environment. This shot originated in Western films, where it was commonly used to emphasize the characters’ holsters and guns, highlighting their readiness for action. The cowboy shot effectively balances subject and background, making it a powerful tool in composition and framing.
Deep depth of field: Deep depth of field is a photographic and cinematographic technique where a significant portion of the image is in focus, from the foreground to the background. This effect allows for multiple subjects to be clearly visible, creating a sense of depth and spatial relationships within the composition. It is often utilized to enhance storytelling by ensuring that all elements within the frame are sharp, contributing to the overall narrative context.
Depth: Depth refers to the perception of three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional image, creating a sense of realism and immersion for the viewer. It can be achieved through various techniques such as layering, perspective, and focal length, which help guide the viewer's eye and enhance the overall composition. Understanding depth is crucial for effectively framing shots and conveying emotions in narrative documentary production.
Depth of field: Depth of field refers to the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. This concept plays a crucial role in storytelling, as it can influence how viewers perceive focus, emotion, and the significance of elements within a frame. Understanding depth of field allows creators to manipulate visual narrative by highlighting certain subjects while blurring others, creating a more immersive experience.
Distance to subject: Distance to subject refers to the physical space between the camera and the subject being filmed, which can significantly influence the viewer's emotional connection and perception of that subject. This distance can vary from close-ups that create intimacy, to wide shots that provide context, ultimately affecting how the audience engages with the narrative. The choice of distance is a critical aspect of framing and composition in visual storytelling.
Dutch Angle: A Dutch angle, also known as a canted angle or Dutch tilt, is a compositional technique where the camera is tilted sideways, causing the horizon line to slant. This unconventional framing can create a sense of unease, tension, or disorientation in the viewer. It is often used in narrative and documentary filmmaking to evoke specific emotional responses or highlight a character's psychological state.
Emotional impact: Emotional impact refers to the ability of a narrative, scene, or visual to evoke strong feelings and resonate with an audience on a personal level. This effect can shape the viewer's understanding and connection to the story being told, influencing how they perceive characters, events, and themes within a film.
Establishing shot: An establishing shot is a wide-angle view that sets the scene for a narrative, providing essential context about the location, time, and atmosphere of a film or video. It helps the audience understand the setting before delving into specific action or character interactions, thus enhancing the storytelling experience. This type of shot often serves as a visual anchor for the viewer, establishing the spatial relationships and emotional tone crucial for effective narrative development.
Extreme Close-Up: An extreme close-up is a type of shot that focuses on a specific detail of a subject, typically framing just a part of the face or an object. This technique emphasizes intricate details and emotions, allowing the viewer to connect with the subject on a deeper level. It's often used to heighten tension or convey significance to small elements that might be overlooked in wider shots.
Eye-level shot: An eye-level shot is a camera angle that places the lens at the subject's eye level, creating a neutral perspective that often makes the viewer feel equal to the subjects in the frame. This type of shot is commonly used in narrative and documentary filmmaking as it fosters a sense of connection between the audience and the characters or subjects, allowing for a more relatable viewing experience. By not imposing a dramatic high or low angle, it conveys straightforwardness and authenticity.
Focal length impact: Focal length impact refers to the effect that varying focal lengths of a lens have on the composition and framing of an image. It affects how subjects are captured within a scene, influencing depth of field, perspective, and the overall aesthetic feel of the visual storytelling. Understanding focal length is crucial for manipulating space and isolating subjects to convey specific narratives.
Full Shot: A full shot is a type of camera framing that captures the subject from head to toe, providing a clear view of the entire figure within the frame. This shot helps establish the context in which the subject exists, allowing viewers to see the character’s physical appearance and their relationship to their environment. It is often used to convey action, highlight movement, or show interactions between characters and their surroundings.
Headroom: Headroom refers to the space between the top of a subject's head and the upper edge of the frame in a shot. This concept is essential in composition and framing as it impacts the overall visual balance and aesthetic quality of an image, ensuring that subjects feel comfortable and properly positioned within their environment.
High-angle shot: A high-angle shot is a camera angle that is positioned above the subject, looking down on it. This perspective often creates a sense of vulnerability or insignificance for the subject, influencing how viewers perceive the character or scene. High-angle shots are commonly used to manipulate audience emotions and emphasize certain aspects of composition and framing.
Layering: Layering is the technique of combining multiple elements within a narrative to create depth and richness in storytelling. This approach enhances the visual and auditory experience by allowing different components to interact harmoniously, thus engaging the audience more fully. It is essential for creating complex narratives that resonate on multiple levels, drawing attention to both composition and sound design.
Leading lines: Leading lines are compositional elements in photography and film that guide the viewer's eye towards a specific point of interest within the frame. These lines can be natural, like roads, rivers, or paths, or they can be man-made, such as fences, buildings, or even shadows. Using leading lines effectively can enhance storytelling by directing focus and creating depth within a scene.
Leadroom: Leadroom refers to the space in front of a moving subject in a frame, allowing for a sense of direction and movement within the composition. This technique enhances visual storytelling by providing context to the subject's motion, making it feel more dynamic and engaging. Proper use of leadroom can create balance in a shot and help guide the viewer's eye, emphasizing the action or intent of the subject.
Long shot: A long shot is a type of camera framing that captures a subject from a significant distance, allowing the viewer to see the full context of the scene. This shot emphasizes the environment around the subject, providing information about the setting and spatial relationships. Long shots are often used to establish scenes or convey a sense of scale, making them crucial in visual storytelling.
Lookroom: Lookroom refers to the space in front of a subject’s face in a frame, allowing for their gaze to have context and direction within the composition. This concept is essential for creating a balanced and engaging visual narrative, as it provides a sense of depth and invites the viewer into the subject's perspective. Properly incorporating lookroom enhances storytelling by guiding the audience's focus and establishing a more dynamic relationship between the subject and their environment.
Low-angle shot: A low-angle shot is a camera angle that looks up at a subject, positioning the camera below the eye level of the subject. This technique can create a sense of power or dominance, making the subject appear larger and more imposing in the frame. It's an effective way to influence how viewers perceive characters or objects, emphasizing their importance in the narrative.
Medium close-up: A medium close-up is a camera shot that typically frames a subject from the chest or shoulders up, allowing for a more intimate connection between the viewer and the subject while still showing some context of the background. This type of shot is used to convey emotions, emphasize facial expressions, and create a sense of closeness without fully isolating the subject from their environment.
Medium long shot: A medium long shot is a camera framing technique that captures a subject from a distance that allows both the subject and some of their surroundings to be visible. This shot typically frames the subject from the knees up, providing a balance between the character and their environment, which helps convey context and spatial relationships.
Medium Shot: A medium shot is a camera framing that captures a subject from the waist up, balancing detail with background context. This shot is commonly used to establish characters in relation to their environment while allowing viewers to see facial expressions and body language, making it an essential tool for storytelling and character development.
Noseroom: Noseroom refers to the space that is intentionally left above a subject's head in a frame, allowing for visual breathing room and preventing a cramped appearance. This concept is crucial in composition and framing, as it creates a sense of balance and emphasizes the subject while providing context within the shot.
Proper subject placement: Proper subject placement refers to the strategic positioning of the main subject within a visual frame to enhance storytelling and visual impact. This technique is crucial in composition and framing, as it guides the viewer's focus and can evoke specific emotions or reactions, making the narrative more engaging and effective.
Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline that suggests dividing an image into nine equal parts by two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. This technique encourages filmmakers and photographers to position the most important elements of a scene along these lines or at their intersections, creating more balanced and engaging compositions. By following this principle, creators can enhance visual storytelling through effective framing, leading to more dynamic shots whether handheld or stabilized, while also applying it effectively in B-roll and establishing shots.
Shallow depth of field: Shallow depth of field is a photographic and cinematographic technique that allows only a specific subject in the frame to be in sharp focus, while the background and sometimes the foreground appear blurred. This technique emphasizes the subject, creating a strong visual separation from its surroundings, which can enhance storytelling by guiding the viewer's attention and evoking emotions.
Simplicity vs Complexity: Simplicity refers to the use of minimal elements in composition to convey clear and direct messages, while complexity involves intricate arrangements that can evoke deeper meanings or emotions. In visual storytelling, balancing these two concepts influences how an audience interprets a narrative, as simplicity can create focus and clarity, whereas complexity can add depth and richness to the story.
Symmetry: Symmetry in visual composition refers to a balanced arrangement of elements that creates harmony and stability within an image. It plays a crucial role in framing and guiding the viewer's eye, leading to a sense of order and aesthetic appeal. The use of symmetry can evoke emotions, emphasize certain subjects, and enhance the overall storytelling of a visual piece.
Wide shot: A wide shot, also known as a long shot, captures a large area of the scene, showing the subject in relation to their surroundings. This type of shot is essential for establishing context, allowing viewers to see the environment and how it relates to the characters or action within it. It plays a critical role in storytelling by providing visual information that sets the stage for the narrative.
Worm's-eye view: A worm's-eye view is a low-angle shot taken from the ground level, looking up at the subject, which gives the viewer a perspective as if they are viewing the scene from a worm's position. This perspective can create a sense of grandeur, emphasize height, and make subjects appear larger than life. It is a powerful tool in composition and framing that shapes how audiences perceive and connect with the visuals in a narrative.